Sunday
Nov072010
Turquoise and Sand
Sunday, November 7, 2010 at 8:30 AM 
Photos by Jim Watson / Getty Images
After arriving in New Dehli, the president and first lady toured through Humayun's Tomb. (Humayun was a Mughal emperor who died in the 16th century; his tomb is known as the "mini-Taj Mahal.") Against this dreamy, neutral backdrop, Mrs. O's vibrant turquoise ensemble draws the eye. The first lady wears a below-the-knee skirt (the hemline du jour!) with pleated detail at the waist, a short sleeve cardigan and an embellished pin at the collar.
For further reading, "Scenes from the Obama Visit" [WSJ]
Update: The first lady wears a custom dress by Peter Som.
tagged Peter Som
Peter Som
Reader Comments (79)
I like the color of the dress and cardigan, and the dress material appears to be thin cotton (given the heat and humidity this makes perfect sense).
The WSJ article indicated that the President knelt down to talk to the gathered children. I would guess that the First Lady thought she might be knelling as well, considering how she loves children. Hence the length of the dress.
Although I think an inch or two shorter would have been a bit more flattering, this outfit is again very well thought out.
Lord knows i love the FLOTUS, she seems so genuine and warm but that doesn't change the fact that sometimes, just like every other human being , she misses the fashion mark and this is one of such times.
I had been entertaining all day and the very first chance i had , i rushed to my computer to have my fashion fix on the site.....im sorry but this is soooooooooooooooo not a good look.
For all who are vexed about the comparisons with Jackie O and Princess Diana, for whatever reason it is bound to happen because all three women had something in common....their satorical influences.
Mrs O could have worn something different and remained culturally appropriate, Princess Diana achieved just that on her trip to the Taj Mahal
Thanks Mrs O for getting this site together.....keep doing what you do
31 years old, my goodness. Sometimes I forget how young Jackie Kennedy was when she was thrust into that very public role.
Well, I for one love Jackie Kennedy's style, and love Michelle Obama's style. I'm not going to force these two women into some kind of made-up cage match when I think they both are pretty cool.
I don't think the longer hemline is only about cultural sensitivity, I think it's on trend. I saw Michael Kors and Tim Gunn (who is here in Detroit this weekend for a charity fashion show) recently talking about the recent changes in hemlines. Michael Kors said that designers have started to listen to women over 40 saying that we were tired of short dresses and skirts showing our naughty bits when we emerged from cars or while were sitting down. This hemline is current. While it may not be for everyone, I would like it sprinkled in with other lengths of garments that I own already. All in all, it's a nice casual outfit in the most adorable shade of turquoise.
Michelle's dress is a tribute to the sari. The pleats at the waist are the pleats one would arrange on an Indian sari. Kudos to Michelle for her sensibilities and research. One other note; India is very humid. Black hair does not respond well to humidity Michelle's hair would be a mess if she wore it loose.
I think the First Lady looks fantastic, and I don't think the dress is too big. "Don't women sometimes go for a less-snug or "looser" dress, sometimes--a' la Laura Ashley? (Though this dress isn't Laura Ashley-ish, thank God. I only made the comparison to make my point.) And one can still see FLOTUS's fantastic physique and curves.
And the color is breathtaking to me; a very "ahh" and relaxing effect. Also, it's Martha Stewart's signature color, as a matter of fact!
Lighten up, folks. If any of us had to be scrutinized 24/7 for every single item we wore every single day for four years, we'd go mad! Not to mention, broke! LOL!
Appreciate Mrs. Obama...Love her sense of style. She is beautiful and some people just need to get use to the fact that she is her own person!
I don't understand why Mrs. O does not wear the nice tailored suits that she wore while she was a Senator's wife. I've seen pictures of her in some really well-structured tailored suits that were flattering on her. For some reason, since she's become First Lady, she has dressed in mostly inappropriate clothes while trying to make a statement, but looking really tacky at times.
She is a tall woman, not a small-boned petite woman. She needs to dress for her body type without trying to scream "I'm trying to be different". It's okay to be different and have your own style, but it does need to agree with your body type. She needs to wear more tailored, stream-lined suits and outfits. These little sweater/belt/weirdo dresses do not compliment her at all. One belt she definitely needs to send to Goodwill is the huge "ammo belt" that she loves to wear. That super-wide "ammo belt" is hideous.
Plus, she needs to wear her hair in a short bob - it's far more flattering to her face. I would suggest that she calls Fashion Consultant Tim Gunn. Bless her heart - she really needs some advice. Sometimes I really feel bad for her because some of her fashion atrocities make her look really ignorant about style and fashion in the role of First Lady. She needs to take a cue from past First Ladies. She can be tailored, but still project her own style.
Note: I'm not trying to be mean-spirited at all, but she really does need someone to advise her, especially at a soldier's memorial. It is not appropriate to wear bright colors or "country club luncheon dresses" to a somber occasion. The rule of fashion for somber occasions are dark-colored tailored suits or dresses, not party attire.
I wish we could see more shots of the dress to see how the tucks at the bodice work. The open cardigan with the brooch on top doesn't work with the lines of this dress, we lose the detailing.
So obvious that this couple is in love. You can't fake that.
Totally agree with Jacqueline, I was also thinking that Mrs O's outfit here pays tribute to the silhouette of the sari while also highlighting the work of Western designers. Mrs O know exactly what she is doing...I don't think she needs a stylist!
When I don't go for some of her outfits I ask myself whether it is because they wouldn't suit my own body shape, or whether I am making a rushed judgement based on one ot two photographs.
Thanks Mrs T for the recent updates. Always a treat to visit the website.
ahem, but even tho India is COMPARATIVELY conservative, its no way as conservative as you guys're making it to be with all the 'sensitive to the local sensibilities' and stuff.
Mrs. O could have worn even a skirt ending a inches above the knees and it'd still be perfectly acceptable.
Well well well. Two days after Mrs T writes that she gets a bit fed up with all the negativistas on the blog making it miserable for the people who do want to be here, and they're all back, with their little invisible friends, to make today one of the most ridiculous posting days I've yet seen on this blog.
nonpasserat, nicpick john, rose, babs, kels and all you other whingetastic peoples, could you please go and find a blog for haters, and join in with all the sick, anti-O posters who aren't too chicken to admit what their real agenda is. Cos you is seriously boring the pants off me and a few others. I wish I could work out what it is that you want? No-one takes you seriously, you're all obviously just raging for the hell of it - you think you're going to get a medal for this stuff? All I end up with when I think of you is that you get paid to be here and write ghastly things.
So, firstly. This crap about the dress not fitting or being two sizes too big.... it fits. The hemline is exactly level (which it wouldn't be if the dress didn't fit, and so is the waistline. It is made from a close weave fabric that is also lined, by my guess, and as such it will MOVE when she WALKS. As if I needed to do this I will explain in short words you can find in any dictionary - the fabric she wore off the plane was floaty, so it moved in one way. This is a different fabric - stiffer and closer woven - so it does more of the bunchy thing when she walks. This is not a sin, it is a type of material. Therefore, it won't look like a cover shot because she is not a model starched into position and held into place with bulldog clips. I know this is hard to understand for you numbnuts, but she looks fabulous in a beautiful dress, that fits, and is respectful and on trend.
The length. It never fails to amaze me how many women think that On The Knee is the only dress length that exists or is flattering. It isn't. There is below the knee. There is tea length, ankle length and floor length. Trust me on this - MOST WOMEN LOOK AWFUL IN ON THE KNEE. Very few women in this world have good enough legs for a skirt length on the knee. They may think they do, but they don't. Mrs O does, but in this case (and here I am sliding to a different issue so idiots, keep up!) she is being respectful to the cultural norms of India. Now, I know a lot of you can't get out much, but there ARE other countries out there. And India has very different cultural norms to you. So, below the knee, while being very on trend this autumn, is also flattering to a tall woman with long legs AND is sensitive to the country Mrs O is visiting. Remember - most woman in India wear either a sari (which is floor length) or a lenga suit (which is also floor length) or shalwar kameez (which is trousers with a below the knee tunic over the top). You don't see legs. EVER.
I hope you're all keeping up OK because I realise this is a lot to take in and none of you are that bright but I hope this helps your hairsprayed minds to Adapt to Different Ideas.
And how come none of you whingers referred to the President's wrinkled shirt? Surely you'd all have had a CORONARY over that. Imagine! A President with creased elbows out in public! Anyone would think he'd been working at a DESK or something! GAH!!!!!
The pictures of Jackie O at the Taj Mahal prove exactly how much better Mrs O is dressed for India - bare arms. Completely tactless. It's a nice enough dress I suppose, if you like dull. The only thing good about it is the length.
The colour of this dress is a wonderful one for India - a really popular colour in sarees and pops out of the background. I also love the detailing on the waist which is so sari-like it can't be a mistake. Just wish I could see the detail on the brooch more.
Thanks Mrs T - lovely photos as per usual, I'm grateful you've kept us so up-to-date with this trip's outfits.
Better shot of the brooch. It looks like a spray of flowers.... http://www.daylife.com/photo/0evWfxwaqm3QK?q=michelle+obama
I believe this length was chosen in the straight-skirted looks for how she would appear when sitting rather than standing. Straight skirts tend to ride up when one sits, exposing knees and sometimes more. This length would not go up above the knee as a shorter skirt would do. Not a problem in a fuller skirt.
She looks like Mamie Eisenhower in this dress.
Peter Som does it again. great work.
Posh and BeeGee make a good point that one of the reasons for the dress length could be that while sitting there is no excess bare leg showing - this in a conservative country.
Jackie's style was not revolutionary - it was classic and crisp. And to compare these two women to the detriment of Mrs. O really makes no sense.
WOW - it is amazing to read this blog when the FIRST LADY's fashion is not as good as we expect.
There is no doubt that MO has far better dresses, equally appropriate that would have flattered her figure and made us proud. But she decided to wear this turquoise ensemble today.
I believe there trip is to last 10 days, so I'm sure she'll wear a few outfits that will make us forget this one.
Jackie Kennedy and Michele Obama was/is a fashion ICON during their reign as First Ladies, few can deny this statement. There styles should probably not be compared - but future first ladies surely have high standards to meet. Let's hope Mrs. Mike Huckabee never makes it into office - her clothes are truly sad and ill fitting.
@ADiez I haven't posted here in a long time but want to agree with you that the point is to go to the Taj, a monument of a man's love for his wife, with the love of your life. Jackie and Diana looked heartbreakingly lonely touring this place alone.
(And we know what a mess their love lives were at the time of those visits.)
Seeing the Obamas there hand-in-hand reminded me of going there with my husband years ago. What a nice memory.
Charlene in Detroit:
I personally do not agree with Michael Kors and Tim Gunn about hemlines. Maybe some women like longer dresses, but all of us cannot be painted with the same brush!
Many of the designers do not know what women want. The clothes are awful.
I am over “50” and I don’t like longer dresses unless it is during the summer and I consider it a play dress. I am 5’8 and still have a shape. I don’t look good in longer dresses and I don’t have naughty bits aka “bony” knees.
I normally lurk on this site, and don’t post anymore. The comments are too biting; and I still see the word “hater” still floating around. This is supposed to be a blog where you can comment on fashions without being berated to a pulp. We get the occasional Eleroy whose posts have nothing to do with fashion. I understand what she is trying to convey, but to continuously beat a dead horse is unnerving. We have the others who begins their post with “I adore Mrs. Obama”, which is not necessary, but I understand they don’t want to be called a “hater”. Then you have the one-time posters who chime in, to get everyone riled up, and do a completely bizarre post. To me it means that their daily prescription medicine was missed for that day; or, they’re on some uncontrolled substance. There is so much vitriol in blogosphere that this is basically the only site that I will lurk on about once a week.
The comparison of Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Kennedy needs to stop. Both ladies dress/dressed well. Mrs. Kennedy used four of her friends to help her in selecting what outfits to wear. She was not a fashion plate on her own; her friends were, and helped.
I particularly do not like this look; but, I understand the need to be respectful and adhering to the host’s standard of dress while visiting. I think Mrs. Obama is doing exactly what is needed. This is not her normal look. If I was visiting a very conservative country, I probably would wear a longer dress (which I despise on me) . It’s only for a short period of time and I would just grin and bear it.
Charlene in Detroit:
I personally do not agree with Michael Kors and Tim Gunn about hemlines. Maybe some women like longer dresses, but all of us cannot be painted with the same brush!
Many of the designers do not know what women want. The clothes are awful.
I am over “50” and I don’t like longer dresses unless it is during the summer and I consider it a play dress. I am 5’8 and still have a shape. I don’t look good in longer dresses and I don’t have naughty bits aka “bony” knees.
I normally lurk on this site, and don’t post anymore. The comments are too biting; and I still see the word “hater” still floating around. This is supposed to be a blog where you can comment on fashions without being berated to a pulp. We get the occasional Eleroy whose posts have nothing to do with fashion. I understand what she is trying to convey, but to continuously beat a dead horse is unnerving. We have the others who begins their post with “I adore Mrs. Obama”, which is not necessary, but I understand they don’t want to be called a “hater”. Then you have the one-time posters who chime in, to get everyone riled up, and do a completely bizarre post. To me it means that their daily prescription medicine was missed for that day; or, they’re on some uncontrolled substance. There is so much vitriol in blogosphere that this is basically the only site that I will lurk on about once a week.
The comparison of Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Kennedy needs to stop. Both ladies dress/dressed well. Mrs. Kennedy used four of her friends to help her in selecting what outfits to wear. She was not a fashion plate on her own; her friends were, and helped.
I particularly do not like this look; but, I understand the need to be respectful and adhering to the host’s standard of dress while visiting. I think Mrs. Obama is doing exactly what is needed. This is not her normal look. If I was visiting a very conservative country, I probably would wear a longer dress (which I despise on me) . It’s only for a short period of time and I would just grin and bear it.
First of all, let me say I love Mrs. O - smart, accomplished, beautiful, etc. And, she lookes great 90% of the time.
But I would like to point out that this is a fashion website. We are discussing fashion - not Mrs. O's personality, accomplishements. Nor are we discussing Mr. O (who, in my opinion, is doing a great job despite the mess he inheirted). Merely stating an opinion on her outfit is not whining or a negative...it is what it is: simply a comment on her apparel.
With that in mind, I can say I am not feeling the love on this outfit. This is merely a commet on her outfit and nothing else. I do love the color. I am aware of the cultural differences between us and India. I just think she could have done better.
I can understand all the hype regarding Mrs. O's outfit, however, she is visiting a foreign country, and I know that her outfits were chosen with an eye on protocol and properness. In regards to all of the comments comparing her to Jackie O, please visit my blog page at www.musingsofacoloredman.blogspot.com for my definitive view on Mrs. Obama and her fashion authority.
I have never seen a more unattractive outfit on Michelle Obama. It highlights all her worst features and masks her best features. She looks like a dowdy overweight 1950's housewife stereotype. All her clothes on the India trip have been severely disappointing. She surely did not capture any of Jackie Kennedy's style. Almost every outfit was dowdy. Nothing was memorable, except for its dowdiness. Very disappointing, considering she is capable of much better. A stunning failure mirroring her husband's failure to represent his base.
after looking at the outfit for sometime i find that i like it.it is romantic.
Your post is biting, jerseygirl
Vivian:
I stated what I have observed on this site.
If it was biting, so be it.
I have been a long time poster and I call the shots as I see them. Nothing more, nothing less. I don't care to "beat around the proverbial bush".
I live in India and can tell you that this outfit gave Michelle O the Indian common middle -class lady's silhouette.
I'm convinced the choice was very deliberate: how stunning her evening outfits were in comparison, especially this "all metal " skirt and blouse!