All in a Day's Work
Friday, December 17, 2010 at 6:54 PM 
Images by Chip Somodevilla and Alex Wong / Getty Images
This has been a full Friday for Mrs. O! Earlier in the day, the first lady took part in a ceremony that honored museums and libraries with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service. One of the recipients was the Director of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, Akemi Kikumura Yano, pictured above.
Following the ceremony, Mrs. O was off to help sort toys donated to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys For Tots program. With the change of venue, came a change of wardrobe. A bow tie blouse and slim black skirt were replaced by a red cardigan sweater belted at the waist, and paired with black leggings and work boots. Festive!
P.S. Was anyone surprised to hear Robin Givhan is leaving the Washington Post for The Daily Beast? More here.
Reader Comments (62)
The leggings are entirely appropriate for a day (or a few hours) of actual work at a toy distribution center. Would previous First Ladies have worn a pantsuit? Probably. I imagine this is why some are surprised at the choice of clothing, but, two years in, Mrs. Obama has shown that her ethos, in every case, is to roll up her sleeves and actually work alongside members of the organization she's visiting. Moreover, each outfit for public appearance is scrutinized by members of her team for maximum control of MO's message and for its suitability for the occasion. In that most American women could put together an outfit approximating this simply by going to their closet, is it too accessible? I hardly see how. Bravo to Mrs. O.
Well, bravo to you Thumper since you were so kind to let the rest of know you are in good enough shape to wear leggings like the First Lady but continue to object to her wearing them in what you deem an "official" role of First Lady. Well, since this is the 21st century and not the 18th where pantaloon, corsets and parasols ruled the day, well-fitted leggings as well as skinny pants are appropriate for the activitiy the First Lady was participating in. She's wearing the type of clothes most of us would be wearing if we were out sorting & wrapping toys just like the First Lady. So for the love of what's reasonable and rational, what's the problem here! If you prefer her to be garbed in a staid, First Lady type boxy suit or some such stale, dated garb, then be clear about it instead of hiding under the worn-out banner of what's "appropriate" in this setting. Also, as far as this being a blog and everyone has a right to their opinions, i couldn't agree more. But that opinion should be come with some sense of context and comparison so that the rest of us who read the comment(s) have some idea of what you're talking about and not be left with the thought that your critique is just an attack without substance. And finally, for some of you who have rightfully commented that this is a blog where everyone has an opinion, some critical of the First Lady's dress choices, you must be very aware that most posters on this blog are fans of the First Lady, so if your comments in any comes off as being derogatory and critical for the sake of being critical, then you better believe there will be an immediate and forceful backlash to your commentary. So to avoid going down that road, l would caution all of us to me mindful of how we express our "right to be critical".
I like the red sweater ensemble, but agree that a better choice could have been made instead of the leggings.
I also feel that leggings do not substitute for pants - regardless of how "in-shape" one may be.
I hope not to see this First Lady or any other in leggings unless they are in an exercise class.
And, before you start to critize my statement - the leggings do not look or compare to Capri pants. Which actually would have been more appropriate and certainly less contraversial - I think this will be another photo-op for the GOP to use against her.
I am still a MO fan.
I want to know for sure who makes those boots. They are stylish and look warm.
Dear Thumper: The leggings, boots and sweater is categorically appropriate for the task at hand. Sorting and passing out gifts / toys requires bending, lifting and walking back and forth, etc. The leggings, boots and sweater are appropriate for such a public task. FLOTUS looks absolutely wonderful in her black leggings and red sweater.
@mszonian@524:
"And finally, for some of you who have rightfully commented that this is a blog where everyone has an opinion, some critical of the First Lady's dress choices, you must be very aware that most posters on this blog are fans of the First Lady, so if your comments in any comes off as being derogatory and critical for the sake of being critical, then you better believe there will be an immediate and forceful backlash to your commentary. So to avoid going down that road, l would caution all of us to me mindful of how we express our "right to be critical"."
We are all fans. Otherwise we wouldn't come here. "she can wear what she wants" is a child's language. They may as well stick their thong out while saying it.
I'm not surprised that Givans is leaving the WaPo. She was always more on the gossip tip anyway. I stopped reading her after her disgraceful article on Congresswomen showing cleavage.
WHAT MSZONIAN@524 SAID!!!!! ;-P
Leggings always look good with a long top, in absence of that then I agree it can look cheap. However, Mrs Obama looks lovely here. The red cardi is lovely and the whole ensemble makes her look like Mrs Claus.
I didn't even know they were leggings. I just thought they were narrow pants.
And yes, of course, everyone is entitled to their opinion, we've been over that a mililon times: but when someone is saying that a piece of clothing is "CATEGORICALLY INAPPROPRIATE," that's more than just saying "ugh, I don't like leggings." That's a broader assertion, and so why be surprised that such a shot gets pushback
Not that it matters what I think, but MY OPINION is that the venue makes a difference for me. Like Thumper, I'm not in love with leggings. Unlike Thumper, I don't have such a hate-on for them that I feel they are "singularly and categorically inappropriate" to be worn by a First Lady in any context. She's working, her butt is covered, whatev. I like that outfit better than the blouse and skirt, to be honest.
I agree with the venue argument. The leggings are appropriate for the task and venue. She looks great in the red sweater, the entire outfit is very cute. And in case you haven't noticed leggings are everywhere!
Please tell me who made that lovely bow blouse! I love it and want it!!