Honoring Culture and Custom
Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 9:18 PM 
Image by Charles Dharapak / AP Photos
Image by Jason Reed / Reuters
The president and first lady toured Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday morning. As is custom, Mrs. O wore a head scarf and stocking feet to tour the grounds, paired with a Stephen Burrows matte jersey pant suit. (The first lady wore the same sunrise yellow pantsuit by the Harlem-based designer in July 2010, here.) Mrs. O's head scarf, in animal print, with teal fringe and gold bead trim, puts a modern, fashion-forward spin on tradition -- demonstrating, once again, that no sartorial detail has been left untended!
Update: Mrs. O's scarf is the classic Prova “Sandinista” silk scarf fringed with three layers of fringe, a teal fabric fringe, a short gunmetal glass-beaded fringe and a pale lemon yellow pom-pom fringe. As many will recall, the first lady wore a Prova scarf on another trip overseas, during her trip to France in June 2009, here.
Prova, Stephen Burrows
Reader Comments (106)
Very conservative, but the First Lady is dressed appropriate for the occasion. However, the scarf is simply smashing!
Our First Lady is a class act. The lack of belt makes the suit much more conservative, which is very appropriate, and the ornamentation on the scarf says, "I respect your traditions, but I am who I am."
I don't think there is a whole lot to say on the Fashion front about this look. I never did care for this outfit the first time she wore it. So I guess it is serving the purpose for which it is being worn...modesty, modesty and cover, cover. It is a pretty scarf, enuf said
Could this be one of the beautiful scarves by Prova? It is beautiful on our Michelle and complements the lemon-grass pantsuit. She surely is doing Americans proud and I, for one, could not think of anyone who is more capable given all of the restraints, customs and sensitivities that has to be observed. Fine job, FLOTUS!
My husband is in Afghanistan and he tells me frequently of the norms and conventions to which they must be sensitive. Sometimes he finds it exhausting. Mrs. O has played her role well this past week and I admire her for it but I wonder if she is tired now and longing to see her daughters. Just one more thing, let's not forget that she covered her head and wore all black to meet the Pope. As a nominal Catholic, I really appreciated that.
On fashion, I never liked that suit, just don't care for the color but it sure works in this setting, she is covered from head to literal toe. But that is some scarf, isn't it!?!?!? Well done Mrs. O.
I heard somewhere that she comes home after this and he stays on for his meeting. Is this correct?
Have a good night.
The scarf is beautiful but someone get her a belt, stat! That green thing was horrible the first time she wore it and is horrible and shapeless now. I KNOW Mrs. O has many other and better outfits she could have worn while still respecting the Indonesian culture. That is just bad. Sorry!
being respectful of their culture. bravo, FLOTUS.
the pants could fit better, though.
Doesn't look comfortable and nothing to rave about. Appropriate for occasion. Bring back Mrs O.
Very respectful attire and head scarf. But do you remember all the discussion on whether to use a veil or not when she visited the Vatican? Refreshing that no one discussed the use of the head scarf now!
Aha! I knew we had seen that suit before! (Thanks for the reminder in the other thread, Tammy)
My American eyes says this suit needs the belt she was wearing with it before. I sense that would be her preference (because she always loves belts.) But I think her intent, as with all of these outfits, is to be conservative. So it's okay.
I also wish she would take up those pants. She's 6-foot something, if those pants are draggng on the ground they are looong. But I dig that scarf a LOT. I love the gold beads.
It looks like they have all removed their shoes, as is a custom when entering a mosque or
holy place. That is probably why her pants look so long. It looks like the President is in his stocking feet. I agree, this outfit should be sent tlo the recycle bin.
Char from Seattle
I love the re-interpretation and contrasting statements our First Lady has created with the same suit. I can understand from the comments posted that not everyone is in love with the suit itself, but kudos still to Mrs O for her ability to mold the same outfit into an entirely different look. The former look was light, refreshing and modern. The current debut is a nod to Islamic conservatism with the scarf adding an essential element of fun. Well done FLOTUS!
She looks very uncomfortable with the scarf covering half of her face. I wish someone would have fixed it for her. I am from Iran. It doesn't need to be that uncomfortable.
I appreciate her being so respectful to the culture but I think she could do with something like the tunic and the pants too. This suit is just not flattering on her.
Loved the dresses for dinners.
The President has departed for Seoul without Michelle. She is on her way to Germany which essentially means she is headed home. They refueled there on the way to India and the President deplaned and went somewhere briefly by vehicle, probably to visit troops.
She is planning to visit troops at a military community and wounded at Lanstuhl, on Veterans Day. The rest of the trip to South Korea and Japan is heavy on business with very few social or cultural events. All lunches and dinners are working ones.
Notice on other pictures that Michelle is pulling her pant legs up as she walks barefoot to keep from stepping on them.
I find the sharp juxtaposition of the photo of the First Lady at the WH event with the photo of her at the mosque so sad. In the former photo, no one would question that she is an individual with inherent worth and dignity. In the photo taken at the mosque, her very mode of dress emphasizes the idea that she is not an equal. I understand cultural sensitivities, but... Rather than cover herself with a scarf, no matter how beautiful, I wish FLOTUS could have excused herself from this event. You can put turquoise trim and gold beads on a burqua, but it is still a burqua...
I have travelled to many Muslim countries as I truly love the history and architecture in these countries. I dress modestly both at home and on my travels and always have a pashmina around my neck to cover my head, as and when. In fact, I covered my head when entering many churches in Rome recently. I was in Jerusalem earlier this year. We visited Al Asqa Mosque, which is the second oldest mosque in Islam and a very important place of worship. I wore a long sleeved flowing black dress which I wore specifically for visiting such a holy place. My friend chuckled when I was putting it that morning, saying that I looked ridiculous and was going overboard for a religion that wasn't even my own. I told her that I am happy to look ridiculous rather than offend. We knew beforehand that actually entering the building is out of bounds for non-Muslims so.....
Anyway, we got there and started taking in the surroundings when an old man looked at me and nodded his approval. He came up to me and asked if I was an African Muslim. I told him that I wasn't. He then asked me if I wanted to enter the mosque. I was gobsmacked. However, he made it clear that my friend could not as she wasn't suitably dressed (although I would have disagreed). I didn't want to enter without her but she insisted, so I went ahead. There was a smuttering of people inside but all of them appeared to be Muslim. I felt truly honoured but was surprised that I didn't stand out as a tourist. I didn't spend long inside but I thanked the man afterwards when I was leaving.
I have often encountered warming greetings from locals in these countries when they see how I am dressed and they get even friendlier when I tell them that I am a Christian.
The point I am trying to make is that Mrs Obama looks lovely here and so incredibly respectful. I'm sure there are others that will have negative things to say but I'm certain that the Indonesian President would say otherwise. People are truly bowled over when visitors take the time and effort to show respect. Mrs Obama looks happy here and I love the scarf. I hope she has enjoyed her trip.
Mrs. O.'s scarf is fabulous....very pretty. Wish I could say the same for this pantsuit, which I was hoping Mrs. O. would ditch after the first time she wore it.
The First Lady's pants appear to be dragging only because she has taken her shoes off to tour the mosque. As always, she hits the appropriate note with flair!
I am glad our FLOTUS respects and honors the traditions of the countries she is visiting, and also VERY glad she does not dress this way all the time. She looks like me in seventh grade wearing a polyester pantsuit I made using a size 14 pattern just in case I grew.
i agree that the suit is awful..i think she didn't have to be that conservative. Even it is an appropriate outfit to visit a mosque, but putting on a belt wouldn't disrespect the culture..because i'm a moslem Indonesian, and we love and do fashion here in Jakarta..better like her dress in India than what she wore here..
I appreciate the fact that she is dressed modestly as per the custom.
The pants were too long in July 10 with heels so of course they drag on the ground with stocking feet.
I wouldn't get the pants hemmed, I just would just never wear this pantsuit again!
@char -- good catch that she is shoeless. I didn't spot that.
Aw, I like this pantsuit, you guys! Putting aside the length which I totally agree is too much, you guys didn't think it looked nice even when she was wearing it the "regular" way, with the belt? I thought it was purty. I like that lemongrass green, I think it's sophisticated. And from one hippy gal to another, I appreciate more flowy pants.
@Beth -- I struggle, too, with the idea of the cultural imperative for women to cover in some Muslim countries. I personally don't think I understand enough about Islam to argue about this intelligently. Many Muslim women are proud and happy to cover, they feel like it an outward show of piety. Who am I to say they're wrong?
But I don't think it's useful to pretend that all coverings are the same. A burqa is not the same as a headcovering worn in a house of worship. Lots of Christians do and/or prefer that from women too. (which is a whole 'nother conversation!) If Michelle had been coverng her head throughout the trip, then we'd have something to talk about.
I call this suit the Hillary Suit. LOL.
Not a fan of this outfit but it's more important to be respectful than to be showy in a mosque. The scarf, however, is beautiful and I think it would be awesome to see it again worn with one of her usual outfits.
Mrs. O is always radiant...even in a suit that could be better fitting.
Lovely scarf, but this pantsuit is not working for me at all~~
Mrs. Obama's attire is respectful and modest as she tours the mosque. Though the color of her pant suit wouldn't look good with my complexion, I probably could get away with it if I had her scarf as an accent draped around my neck. To me, the contrasting colors in the scarf accents her outfit with just the right umph!
I very much regret that Mrs O went to this event at all. Any situation where women have to behave or dress differently to men because of a religious rule is a travesty. That said, I did like this suit last time because of the belt, which made it very sharp and leggy, but this time no, just a little too floopy even for me. And the scarf is not something I would choose, nor do I like how it makes Mrs O look. I find it very sad that she has tacitly condoned religious dress restrictions now in two countries. Ah well. Tis done.
@Beth - this isn't a burqua. It's a scarf. A burqua is robe and headpiece with only the face showing. The chador is a full semi circle of fabric worn pinned under the chin. Niqab is the full veil (3 pieces) with only a slit for eyes.
@Christina. I am never sure that you need to be particuarly informed to argue this one. Any religion that treats its women differently - and brainwashes them to think it's an honour - needs not much analysis. Can't go to the mosque, can't go out, can't just get dressed and go out for coffee with a friend, can't go shopping without an escort, can't show your hair, arms, legs, chest, shape, face. Frankly it's an insult. I notice Mr O doesn't have to wear a scarf. Case closed in my opinion.
Okay, while I agree that in general women's dress restrictions such as burqas, niqabs and chadors are wrong, for Michelle can we agree that on this trip, it is more important to further her husband's (and by default, our country's) diplomatic mission? Showing up to a mosque with a bare head and flagrantly disrespecting such a huge part of Muslim culture would have been an enormous setback both for her reputation abroad (which is clearly great, according to your reports Mrs. O!) and to the overall purpose of the trip. She definitely punched up the look with the embellishment on the headscarf and I admire her cultural sensitivity and awareness of what matters most here. She can be a powerful voice for change in arenas that are appropriate, but this is neither the stage nor the time to make a political statement.
Although Mrs. O is not wearing shoes, the pants are still too long. The cut of the jacket is not flattering and actually gives the suit the appearance (if some of you are old enough to remember) of the old leisure suit. A junior-cut jacket with an indented waistline would be more flattering on her short-waisted, small-busted, hippy and beautiful figure.
There seems to be a real problem with getting the right length on her, whether it is evening gowns like the inaugural gown or the gorgeous blue one she wore in London or pants or skirts. I reiterate -- someone on her staff is doing her a serious disservice. Length and hems should not be up for discussion. All of this talk has to do with fit. Whether you like the style of the garment or not, in the case of the FLOTUS, it should fit perfectly. There are no excuses when it comes to fit.
Ahhh...I truly love and admire the First Lady, but this suit is unflattering and does
not fit properly. I didn't like it the first time I saw it. She had shoes on then and it
was still too long. Sadly, I don't think anyone would mistake her for a First Lady
or royalty in this ensemble. The scarf doesn't do it for me, either, but I certainly
do understand and respect the reasons for wearing it. Just my opinion. PEACE.
Hey Posh, (waving !)
You make a point but Christianity has rules about women as well (think of the furor over female Catholic priests).
In Islam, women and men are segregated but not all the time, only when religion and culture dictate. I respect that. Don't let those horror stories of honour killings in Afghanistan or Pakistan cloud your better judgement. It isn't all bad and there are female Muslim women who will vehemently defend the religion AND their role in it.
I find that we people in the West question things far too much and as a result find ourselves not standing for anything. The problem is if you don't stand for anything then you can't stand up. I have been reading up on the Obama's visit to this mosque and there are many women in the UK and US who said they would have refused to wear a scarf. Why ? Women cover their heads in many faiths.
When I went to Rome recently, It pained me to see young tourists arguing with the guards at the Vatican when they were challenged on their attire for entering such a sacred place. These are the same women who would argue about wearing a scarf and complaining that others do not respect Western culture when they visit US and UK. Well, maybe if we stood up for something rather than arguing and debating, they probably would.
"@Christina. I am never sure that you need to be particuarly informed to argue this one. Any religion that treats its women differently - and brainwashes them to think it's an honour - needs not much analysis."
@Posh:
Ooh, I don't want to get too much into this, because my ignorance will show up pretty quickly. But I think one of the problems here is that we tend to conflate RELIGION with CULTURE. For instance, there are billions of Muslims in the world, and many different cultures that are Muslim. What is considered modest dress for a woman in Saudi Arabia is different from Afghanistan is different from Muslim enclaves in Detroit, Mich., is different from Indonesia, and on and on.
Islam says that both men and women are to dress modestly (in my admittedly shallow readings). So, while I do agree with you that CULTURES that say "hey ladies, you've got to stay home and be escorted by men every where you go and you can't drive, etc., etc" are troubling to me, that's my issue with that culture, not necessarily with Islam as a religious practice. Because there are enclaves of Christian congregations that enforce certain modesty-of-dress rules on women and cite the Bible as a source for that, but I'm Christian and don't consider those rules to be a part of *my* practice.
Posh, I think we agree more than we disagree on this issue. I just would be careful with statements that suggest all Muslims are the same. Heck, there's just too many of them all to be the same. :-)
And regardless of MY opinion on the political issues surrounding hijab, if I were Mrs. O in this situation? I absolutely would cover. (And I'd hem my pants and wear a belt! :-p )
I'm with Posh Tater.
Public figures are photographed from all sides. Surely there was a mirror in their hotel.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/11/10/article-1328351-0BFFA27E000005DC-99_306x436.jpg
This is not intended to spark any religious, cultural or political arguments it is just a personal opinion, OK, but as a practicing female Muslim who does not wear a scarf in daily life, there is nothing that could make that scarf look or be comfortable no matter how it was tied, IMHO and the shapelessness of the suit mimics the shapelessness of the clothes that women must wear when they go to the mosque. That suit did its job well, make her look unwoman, after all Mrs.O is a VERY shapely woman, hopefully if she wears it again it will be with a great belt like last time.
@Chrisitna Your response to Posh shows insight. ".....I just would be careful with statements that suggest all Muslims are the same. Heck, there's just too many of them all to be the same....." Your are so correct. I am careful to be modest in my every day dress yet you would not think that I am Muslim. I do cover my head like Mrs. O did when I go to the mosque, like many Christian women do.
Anyway, knowing what we know about Mrs. O we are going to see this suit again.LOL
Christina, my apologies for misspelling your name, I noticed it the moment I clicked on 'create post'.
@ Jestina Thanks for sharing your story. I am touched by it, a-n-d this will probably my last post. I prefer to lurk!
Do you know what I noticed first about the first picture, that in spite of the drabness of MO's pant suit, the DEFINITION OF HER MUSCLES SHOWED THROUGH THE SLEEVE FABRIC. Yes, I know that I am shouting I just found it hysterical!! LMAO. Perhaps I noticed it because I am a man and really appreciate a well toned lady.
Another lurker.....
@BeeGee:
Re: that picture...yikes! Well, maybe...yeah, I got nothin'.
No one can convince me that this the only modest outfit she can lay her hands on.
this is a very bad choice, it just doesnt look right, and whether its a pretty scarf or not she could have at least had it on properly!
As Anar pointed out, she is muslim but that is no excuse for a bad outfit in the name of modesty
Im still trying to understand the outfit and this link isn't helping matters.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2010/11/10/article-1328351-0BFFA27E000005DC-99_306x436.jpg
Trying to recall what I knew about Stephen Burrows, I went searching for him. Some here may be too young to recall the Polyester Era - the 70s - when polyester doubleknit jerseys were new and everywhere - even on men in those awful "leisure suits". A number of designers gave them a try - one was Diane von Furstenburg, who mercifully did not use doubleknits for her iconic wrap dresses but instead found a wonderful fine knit (imported?) that looked rich and wrapped wonderfully but had enough body to not look slinky.
Stephen Burrows was known for his work in jerseys. In my search I found an article on this particular pantsuit:
"The color is called 'Sunrise Yellow,'" Burrows tells StyleList. "It's almost the color of Isabel's (Toledo) dress for the Inauguration. We sent it in red, green and a blue-ish teal color," but this is what she kept.
"Ikram (Goldman, a Chicago retailer and Obama's de facto stylist) called and requested that we send pants suits in color," Burrows continues. "The suit is inspired by one I made in the 1970s," and Burrows added, "My family freaked out when they saw it."
http://www.stylelist.com/2010/07/28/designer-stephen-burrows-dishes-on-michelle-obama-pant-suit/
In the face of tremendous opposition, Mrs O. and I will soldier on in support of that suit! LOL
Yes, I don't know why it's all hiked up in the back and whatnot, but I will stand by my belief that it is, overall, a nice suit. Just needs some different styling.
I just saw the name of the scarf and laughed to think of the ultra-rightwing nutjobs having a field day misinterpreting this: not only is Mrs. O wearing a headscarf in respect of Muslim tradition, but the scarf is named after a Marxist political party! Seriously, it's a gorgeous scarf and I hope we see it gain, although worn in the more European style.
Jestina, thanks for the moving story.
And Mrs. T, I wanted to join the chorus of thanks and kudos for all efforts this past week!
Smashing, just smashing.
Not to be critcal of religious traditions or modesty but both could have been obtained with a better looking outfit. Advisors to the FIrst Lady got this all wrong in my opinion. The scarf is OK but the suit was not good the first time through... with all due respect, I do not believe that Mrs. Obama should have to look like she put on a bag for cultural acceptance. Peace
To al & a MI mom - thanks for the compliment.
hi guys, let me give some pictures of my country..
i'm muslim and i'm indonesian..living here is not like most of the western people think..i speak based on the way i live my life here as a muslim woman..i just wanna make some clarification..first, you must distinguish indonesia from other muslim countries situated in the middle east (Arabian country). it is true that Indonesia is the largest muslim population in the world, but the fundamental philosophy of the state is not "Islam Laws".. we have a great tolerance in diversity especially in religion, because our motto is "unity in diversity". So, it's not only Islam that exist here.
here women are allowed to have high educations (ex: i'm nearly going to be an engineer), high achievement in the professional area, and a driving license. I do have 1.. :p
even our 5th president was a woman.
if i connect it with the way we dress here..actually, it's not as conservative like most people think.
covering head is a choice here and we put an enormous respect on it.. i myself, haven't decide to cover it yet..FYI, there won't be someone who gets into jail by wearing hotpants and tanktops here,,LOL
here we have so many departement stores that provides numbers of international merchants like Gucci, Hermes, Marks and Spencer, Chanel, topshops, zara, etc. So again, we do some fashion here..We dress just like you do guys, maybe a lil more polite. that's why i wrote that the First Lady didn't have to be that conservative while she was in Jakarta.
and i wish you could still see the positive things by covering the head,arms, legs, chest, n shape. it is actually somehow can prevent women from some sexual abuse by men, or any other negative thoughts..and FYI again, covering face by using chodar is a culture from Arab..so in Islam it's okay if you just cover your hair/head, not your face.
I am sorry but I believe that Flotus needs to lose Ikram as a stylist (and I think calling her a stylist is a big stretch) .I think what is going on is she is simply buying clothes and sending them on to the White House, It seems that no one is doing any alterations before they are worn. I really believe this trip has been so hit and miss without any cohesive look accompished. Our First Lady can really hit it out of the ballpark and is too striking a woman for a disaster lilke this to happen. That fact that designers are surprised when one of their garments are worn ie Jason Wu not knowing he was designing the Inaugaral gown and doing no fittings is the reason it was too long and appeared awkward to wear as this outfit is. What bride would buy a dress off the rack without any fittings ?
Whatever our First Lady wears is photographed and these images are part of history. .......
I'm an Indonesian Muslim female, and wearing headscarf daily. I really appreciate Michelle's outfit when visiting Istiqlal mosque. As I do appreciate her foe wearing the veil when she last visited Vatican.
But I do think Michelle needed some touch up here (though she still looked great with her tall and fit body).
Though I wear headscarf, i drive car daily to work in American oil company, I love fashion and makeup. And many more Muslim women Indonesia are like me. They are not prohibited here in Indonesia :). And it is a fun to be creative to fit your faith values with your feminine calls.
Btw, I still adore Michelle as one of the most rocking stylish first ladies. One of my fave of her outfits was her Junya Watanabe's asymmetrical cardigan (just please google it if you are interested) :).
Goodnite!
I don't know about anyone else, but I think it's so awesome that this post is bringing out comments from our Muslim sisters. A salaam alaykum.
"I am sorry but I believe that Flotus needs to lose Ikram as a stylist (and I think calling her a stylist is a big stretch) .I think what is going on is she is simply buying clothes and sending them on to the White House, It seems that no one is doing any alterations before they are worn. I really believe this trip has been so hit and miss without any cohesive look accompished."
@miche: I do agree with you that Ikram isn't a stylist, I think she is more a "buyer." I don't think Michelle's interest is in creating a "cohesive" look, though. I don't think that's bad OR good, I just don't think that's where her interests lie. Celebrities and princesses think about that; I think Michelle just picks clothes that she believes look good on her, or are comfortable. I dunno. I've never been one of those "Michelle doesn't need a stylist because she's so AWESOME!!!!' folks, but after 2 years, I think I've just moved on. She's gonna wear what she wants to wear. At least when she knocks it out of the park, I know that was *all her.* Same as when she wears a clunker.