Mrs. O's Little Christmas Elves
Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 2:54 PM 
Image by Yuri Gripas / Reuters Pictures
The First Family is hosting the "Christmas in Washington" celebration and concert at the National Building Museum this evening. For the event, Mrs. O is wearing a gorgeous black lace overlay dress, featuring a high square neckline and full skirt. Sparkly oversize earrings, akin to snowflakes, complete the first lady's holiday look.
There is so much to say about these photos. In the presence of children, Mrs. O is always her most radiant, which has never been more evident than here. The top photo, with the first lady kneeling down to pick up the little elf -- party skirt ever so elegantly fanned -- is beyond words.
And it seems, increasingly so, that fashion is an Obama family affair. Malia and Sasha Obama are transforming into lovely young women before our eyes, showing their own flair for style. Brightly colored crewcuts coats have been replaced by party dresses, accessorized with belts and baubles. Let us not forget Mrs. Marian Robinson! The first grandmother has never looked more chic, wearing a black lace crochet dress with sheer bracelet-length sleeves. Fabulous!
"Christmas in Washington" will air on TNT on Sunday, December 20 at 8pm EST.
Update #1: Mrs. Marian Robinson wears the Leafy Lace Dress from Talbots, available here. Thanks to reader Ashley M. for the tip, which has been confirmed with Talbots.
UDPATE #2: This is a major moment in Mrs. O fashion! Per The Huffington Post:
Mrs. Obama is sporting a vintage 1950s black lace dress by one of America's once-great, now-obscure American designers, Norman Norell.
This rare garment came from the impressive archive of New York Vintage, whose owners cite this as a rare - and perhaps unique - instance of an American First Lady wearing vintage at a public event.
"[This is] truly an historic event, as this may be the first time a First Lady has worn a vintage dress," says New York Vintage co-owner Jon Schneck. "Other dresses from the archive have being scheduled for use by the First Lady later this year. We are truly honored that the First Lady has chosen a gown from New York Vintage as her first venture into vintage couture."
UPDATE #3: The First Lady wears earrings by Cathy Waterman.
Cathy Waterman, New York Vintage, Norman Norell, Talbots
Reader Comments (89)
Love all the outfits and the festive decorations...what an elegant, lovely family. I have to say though, it would have been nice if the selection of the "elves" were more representative of our population. Merry Christmas everyone!
Absolutely mo#&@!$%*#ing gorgeous! Elegant, stylish, modern, glamourous. An unqualified 10!
The First Lady looks great in all black. I especially like when she wears snug bodices. They show off her taut upper body and those great arms of hers. (Recall the first lady's official White House portrait, in a black Michael Kors dress.)
I believe Marian Robinson is wearing the the "Leafy Lace Dress" from Talbots. They all look fabulous
I love how they look and the children are so beautiful, I love their dresses and how they present themselves. God Bless you all.
Lovely, Lovely, Lovely!!!!!!!! Love Mrs. O's dress, but not that crazy about the Misses O, or Mrs. Robinson's look, but they are a beautiful family.
Mrs T,
Mrs O wore a 1950's Norman Norell gown. It is vintange.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lesley-m-m-blume/michelle-obama-norman-norell-vintage-dress-photos_b_797625.html#209568
Huffington Post says that Mrs. O's dress is vintage 1950 Norman Norell. I think it's gorgeous.
Oh, and I forgot to say that I was born in 1958. I STILL remember a gorgeous black dress made of velvet, with white lace down one side of the front that I found when I was about ten, looking for a Christmas dress. My mom wouldn't buy it for me because she thought it was "inappropriate" for a child. :(
who makes the INCREDIBLE earrings Mrs. Obama is wearing???
What a gorgeous Christmas gift Michelle has given us. I have never heard of Norman Norell before.
What a great series of photos. The whole family looks terrific.
I can remember making a "flapper" outfit in black satin for a sixth grade party. It was a scandal! Personally, I think that black on a girl Malia's age is perfectly fine. My niece wore a black dress for her Bat Mitzvah and she looked just beautiful.
Norell knew how to dress women - sophisticated, feminine, flattering, and use of great fabrics. Good for Mrs. O for her groundbreaking styling!
Very fun and exciting that Mrs. O chose a vintage dress -- she keeps raising the bar and keeps us on our toes!
Mrs. Obama looks elegant, glamorous and incredible, as usual! Does anyone know who those earrings are made by?
For people who are not familiar with Norman nowell. I hope this link works. It is from life magazine.
http://books.google.com/books?id=H08EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA22&dq=norman+norell&hl=en&ei=MYEKTZm_N8T58Abe6aGfAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=book-thumbnail&resnum=3&ved=0CDIQ6wEwAg#v=onepage&q=norman%20norell&f=false
How exciting that Mrs. O is wearing vintage, I thought this dress was spectacular and I love the fit. Very elegant!
How fabulous Mrs Obama is wearing vintage!!! She's such a class act. Love the girls outfits ... they look so cute, and Mrs Robinson is always so well dressed. I see where Mrs Obama gets her style from.
Love the dress and the photos. I adore vintage dresses that are so timeless in style. Beautiful.
@Helen,
That was fun! Thanks!
Ooh Norrell vintage ! excellent. I remember the good old days when it was all about structure and silhouette. and the pumps are stellar--they add a spot of high gloss that balances the beautiful shine of her hair.
I believe I read that her earrings were Cathy Waterman. Can anyone confirm? Love her work. Truly a fine American designer. What a great match!
Helen --
Thanks so much for the link to Life. Not only was the article on Norell great (love the hedge-jumping photo!), it was also fun to read about the fashion wars between Jackie O and Pat Nixon. Good to know that First Lady fashion was in the news back then as well!
I thought that looked like my prom dress for my college prom! Those looks are still good; feminine
and glamourous. Love it!
Char from Seattle
Bevi and Ouapiti,
it was my pleasure. I always go to Life magazine whenever I wanted to take a trip back in time.
Bravo to Mrs. O for the creative choice of wearing vintage. This black cocktail dress looks fabulous on her.
Talbots calls the color of Mrs. Robinson"s dress "Douglas fir"--perfect for Christmas! Yes, Rhea, young girls are wearing black, and while you and I may have been raised to think that "little black dress" is synonymous with cocktail attire, it's no longer a no-no for teens.
Like some of the others, I can remember a huge fight with my mother when I was about 14 and wanted a black velvet dress--it had long sleeves and a white lace jabot, so it wasn't the least bit racy or "adult," but she insisted we buy it in purple because black on teens simply "wasn't done" in the 60s, at least not in the South.
For those making comments about Malia's black dress. I am 29 years old and in all my life I have never, ever heard that rule. I grew up on the east coast. It's not something that would've ever crossed my mind and reading your comments, they sound ridiculous to me. I'm not saying they are ridiculous--obviously you grew up in a culture where that was deemed inappropriate, but I also wanted to make clear that that kind of fashion rule is really outdated and it's quite possible that no one was being intentionally offensive.
On to Michelle's dress: this is one of my favorite dresses of hers and I was so excited to hear it's vintage. And according to the shop, she's ordered some other vintage gowns. Yay!!
Pete Souza has put out a beautiful Holiday set:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/whitehouse/sets/72157625487813383/with/5267470024/
You can get a partial glimpse at a couple of new frocks. There's a beautiful red one and a sequined one. The White House looks so gorgeous.
@meta, Thanks much for the glimpse at those photos!
Julianne-
Yes, the earrings are Cathy Waterman.
Gorgeous choice!
Incredible dress love fact that it is vintage !
Make up is flawless
Earrings are beyond fabulous
Mrs. Robinson's black lace dress is now on sale at Talbot's. Nice classic black dress at a nice price. The dress is also available in dark green.
The First Lady looks wonderful. There is something about Christmas that awakens nostalgia for Christmas' past, but not everyone can 'carry off' vintage witih such aplomb.
Love the dress! Mrs. O is at her best in this attire!
Have added the pic in my blog too... Thank you for the pics...
I can't get over that vintage dress. It's all sorts of fabulous!
Just took a closer look at Malia's dress after reading the comments. I love it as well!
Stunning!
I love the First Lady and your Mrs. O website. Ever since I came across it in my quest to find out more of what she was wearing; I have consistently sent pictures to my friends and used some of the photos from your site for my e-mails.
Of course, I have some of my favorite photos from your site SAVED. Just today, I got a response back from a several friends that where happy to see the Christmas photos of Michelle in that elegant Vintage dress.
I would love to have that green Vintage pin you are giving away. I look forward to more of your postings on Mrs. O.
Merry Christmas!
Camille Mitchell
I love the pic of Mrs. O embracing the little "elf". The dress is magnificent!
Thank you for posting such wonderful photos of an amazing First Family. As a Black woman, I rejoice in seeing such a beautiful, strong woman in an obviously loving relationship where they look like they could be part of my family. I am so, so proud. But please, if you can, make sure we know who she's wearing at all times, since I know Mrs. O wears many affordable fashions and I'd like to know where I can purchase some of these items.