Mrs. O Go Bragh
Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 6:15 PM 
Image by Tim Sloan / Getty Images
The first lady spent St. Patrick's Day as a participant in Newsweek Magazine's Executive Forum on childhood obesity, hosted at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. The first lady seemed to make a nod to the Irish holiday with her ensemble today, pairing a green top and pumps with a sheer yellow cardigan and blue pencil skirt, accessorized with a silver belt and pearls.
Update #1: The festivities continued, as the first lady hosted a St. Patrick's Day reception at the White House this evening. Below she is pictured alongside Mary Molloy, the wife of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.
Update #2: Mrs. O wore a Jason Wu custom kelly green faille sheath with embroidered french knots for the St. Patrick's Day reception.
Image by Jason Reed / Reuters
Jason Wu
Reader Comments (93)
you think too much babs.her outfit didn't speak to you.period. i don't get how people get dismayed about one's outfit.it is just an outfit.fashion is fun.too much analyzing takes the fun out of it.just my humble opinion.
jenh - Yes! The Carole Tanenbaum collection of Mrs-O inspired pins will debut on the blog on Monday, March 22. Stay tuned!
English Observer - Indeed, the full length images are hard to come by! When possible, I do try to use images that are full length and show as much detail as possible.
Tia - Love the idea of a poll! Will keep in mind.
The Jason Wu dress is a real hit! Beautiful color and just enough green to be green. Lovely choice!
The earlier outfit is a disaster with the exception of the cool belt. I just do not understand Mrs. Obama's love affair with tight fitting cardigans. This one is way too tight, in particular in the arms. Rarely does a skinny little cardigan compliment what it is under it, unless the undergarment is a skinny little garment itself like a silk tank.
I love both fashion statements by Mrs. O. It shows a certain level of confidence in dressing yourself. Its just cardigan is a bit too sheer that the sleeves of the top shows through it, otherwise she looks fine.The color coordination of the first outfit reminds me of a Caribbean designer by the name of Heather Jones.
Wow "mszonian" your tirade really amuses me. Apparently you didn't give yourself a 10-minute cooling off period before venting this rage. Try reading your post over again now that its out there for everybody to see. I'm not a sick demented person, just a middle aged gal from a medium-sized city in the midwest with a college degree and 2 children, who loves Michelle Obama.Yes I ADORE her and have made numerous complimentary comments on Mrs-O.org, but once in a great while I dislike her choice of outfit, and I'm not afraid to say so. I am bewildered how peoples' dislike of her outfit somehow transforms into
"character assasination".
MICHELLE IS A HOOT!
My, my, we were a grumpy bunch yesterday. Mrs O was having fun with St. Patrick's Day.
Lighten up! With her natural joy and million dollar smile, she is never a "miss".
Yipee! !!!! My luvlee Fashion icon is back !!!! Love the green
She looks as Fab as ever
The evening dress in a side view, is not a pretty sight.
If there is only one word to describe the difference between success and failure, that
word would be ‘CONSISTENCY” even with her endless to-do list.
Can I get a showing of the hands from those who feel that every single photo
brings new beauty, and how much we love getting a new posting from Mrs. T.
Bold colours are in this year, and maybe…..just maybe that was the best ‘green’ she
she had available to her at that moment.
How many of us can say no matter what I wore that day, I was my best self,
and walk into a room feeling very confident and comfortable in their own skin – she’s
such a mighty force that mesmerizes people around her, seeing her on tv, internet, in
magazines whether your’e a fan or not. We come away with a great feeling every single
time.
Make no mistake, this woman preaches about believing in “oneself”. She said in a
conversation on March 10, 2010, “I think what you wear is less than being true to yourself and living your life with strong values, and by giving back to society, the
best styles comes from within.”
I am not saying we cannot voice our opinions on how we feel about her outfits and
agree to disagree, but I bet if you got a call to meet her at the White House tomorrow
you’d feel…….Think about this.
I know this thread is about fashion, so I hope I’m not boring you all, but there maybe
be some people new to this site, and I want to share with them how many people’s lives
are being influenced by our First Lady whether she wears pink, green or blue together.
mszonian - thanks for your post! some people's negativity is just outright astounding... it's just clothes people... i may not love every outfit mrs. o wears, but at least she always seems happy and content while some of the posters here come across as just mean, petty, and bitter... i doubt whether many of these same posters would themselves be able to withstand the same scruitiny and judgement with which they heap upon our first lady... i think it's perfectly acceptable to criticize an outfit, but there should be some attempt to do so constructively... just my two cents...
I watched all 32:13 minutes of the White House video of Mrs. Obama's interview with Newsweek's Editor, Jon Meacham. My unbiased opinion about the First Lady's outfit is thus...I saw it and actually, I became so engrossed in the interview about the 'Lets Move' campaign that I didn't care what she was wearing! Especially, her views on it not being a one-size fits all intiative!
@ photo #1: Fun and comfortable in knit. @ photo #2: Both ladies looked absolutely elegant! If it's fun and works for Mrs. Obama...it's GREAT!
Nice! Maybe it's the angle, smiles and similar hairstyles...but I think Mrs. O and "Mrs. Ireland" look a little like one other (face-wise). Again, my only quibble with the sleeveless look during winter is that it flies in the face of energy conservation. Love the dress...pretty black dress...gone Irish green! Pretty clever ensemble.
SD
I thought the outfit was real fun and forward-thinking. The only thing that killed if for me was the pearls, too traditional for such a modern look. Evening dress was great, but agree with an earlier comment, would love to see the pattern be reversed, with the green at top and black at bottom.
Checking out our First Lady's fashion is fabulous, but even better was watching her interview. She is just so smart and comfortable with herself. Glad she is taking on such an important topic for our kids, and everyone really!
Just wanted to add, kudos to Mary Molloy. Thought she looked fabulous. You go girl!
Well said, mszonian but I doubt very much if Michelle cares what any of the negative posters think.
The fact is if she spent all her time worrying about pleasing the masses with her clothes, she would have lost her focus years ago and neither she or her husband would have made it to the White House. I've said it before and I'll say it again, we would all achieve a lot more out of life if we focused more on what is right for us rather than trying to please everyone else and destroying ourselves in the process.
I met up with some friends last month for afternoon brunch. We hadn't seen each other since Christmas. I had been to the gym earlier and was having a bad hair day, so I threw on a little scarf which wasn't my most flattering moment but made me feel comfortable. I spend all week, looking polished for work that I like to relax the attire and hair at the weekend. Anyway, it took all of a few seconds for my friend to almost ruin a lovely afternoon by uttering SECONDS after meeting me with the words, "what's with the scarf ?" I said that I’m having a Michelle Obama afternoon by wearing what I like and what I feel comfortable, nothing further was said. Since then, I have worn my little scarf at the weekends and no mention has ever been made of it again.
I like the evening look but the day look is most definitely a miss. And I am sorry I agree that we should be able to post our fashion commentaries without having to apologize for them. I am not here to gauge Mrs. O's confidence, or her happiness, or her loveliness. I am on the site for the looks, the clothes, the makeup, the accessories, the hairstyles, and the designers. So no, I do not have to like every single thing she wears nor do I feel obligated to. Mrs. O will remain as lovely and confident a person as she always has been even when she wears the most horrid outfits because I don't believe the clothes make the person.
Like the top look. I would have loved it if she had worn a sleeveless top under the sheer sweater and a layer of pearls. Also, the colors can be thrown off by the lighting. So, I don't think we are seeing the true quality of the colors nor the genious of the look they were going for. She's still my lifestyle icon. Looove the second look. I like that she is wearing a bit higher heel. She looks fab as usual.
Hey Gals, I'm not approving any additional comments on this thread if they're just back and forth bickering. xo Mrs. T
@ lorns and the other voices of politesse on here, ditto. It's just an outfit!
Anyway, I continue to choose the path of enlightenment and will not resort to being a 'fur coat and no knickers' type person! hmmmmm....now that's the 1/4 English part of me from my mother's side speaking! LOL!
regarding the colors for the St. Patrick's day (day) outfit. The Irish Flag is green, white and gold so I think this is a nod to that. Catholic , Protestant and Dissenter.
Don't like these outfits, but not everyday is a hit.
I just took a look at myself in the mirror and let's just say I seem to be having a bit of an off day too... well on to tomorrow's fashions! :)
In the words of Kermit, the Frog.......It's not easy wearing green!
I love the colors; however, this is the worse belt EVER!
I took the train into the city (San Francisco) today and spent the entire day there. When I got back this evening, I spent some time catching up on this blog, and watching a couple of TV shows that I taped today. I saw that Jason Wu was featured on today’s airing of “The View” show. He talked about Mrs. O. in general, and in particular, how thrilled he was that she chose his design for her Inaugural gown as well as other ensembles of his that she has worn. A question was raised by one of the co-hosts asking him what is the sexiest thing a woman could wear? His response; “her self confidence.
Like Ms. M, after viewing a few moments of the video, I too was so engrossed in her message that it quickly no longer mattered what she was wearing. I suspect I’m probably not the only one that had that reaction. To me, that’s what Jason Wu meant by wearing yourself confidence, and no one does it better than Mrs. O!
I share your sentiments, Ms. M and Asereht.
I like both the skirt and inner sweater of this outfit. The belt is not one that I am fond of regardless of how Mrs. O pairs it. A pet peeve of mine is how the sleeves of the inner sweater show through the yellow cardigan. I think I would have liked the whole ensemble better if Mrs. O had chosen a cardigan that was opaque.
But it's true that Mrs. O wears confidence well! We are all the richer because of her great attitude.
Just noticed this updated pic with the evening wear. That's a nice sheath dress. She looks good in it. Love the higher heel. She looks well put together and polished. About whoever posted that belts are due to Mrs. O, the belted look was IN around 2005, way before Mrs. O hit the world stage. I remember all the spring and fall clothes from that year showing belts over cardigans. Models, runways, main street stores... By the way, is this the same cardigan that Mrs. O wore to volunteer when she and Sasha dressed alike? I've seen it before. I like to see the different posts on the same pieces and compare how differently she wore them each time.
As for the bickering going on, I have come to realize that some ppl will never grow up. And I will continue to speak my mind whether I like something or not. Sometimes it is a hit, sometimes it is a miss. In this post, we have a HIT and a MISS at the same time IMHO.
@ jestina, your 'self-confidence' spoke for you! I could turn cartwheels from your response, because that's what it's all about! Sounds like E.F. Hutton to me! SMILE!
@ Asereht....I missed seeing that segment of The View. I'll check to see if it's posted on their website today. Also, Thank You, for sharing Jason Wu's response to the sexiest thing a woman could wear. Now, this is a man that makes me want to give him a big hug and a kiss. What a wonderful perspective he has towards women, who aren't inhibited when it comes to displaying self-confidence!
@ Mrs. T...I have gained such much from this blog. Thank You, for so graciously continuing to share with so many of us, Mrs. Obama's fashion and the designers' apparel she chooses to don. Your hard work and non-stop effort to keep us informed is highly commendable and enjoyable!
@trinisamba: that's exactly the point: harmonizing the color palette and hues. Failed this time: it resembles a southamerican country flag. Never mind: She is beautiful Michelle anyway!
@Ms.M I here you sister. Pls explain "fur coat & no knickers type person" (smile) I asked this
question over on the chat thread under translation yesterday. thanks. Also ditto to your
comments regarding Mrs. T's blog. Even my computer skills have improved. I can now cut
and paste, highlight and find sites. Just perfect and I love reading comments about my First
Lady.
This is my first time commenting; however, I'm an almost daily visitor to the site and when I'm too busy to check it out I save the reading for a Sunday morning like today. Re: pic #1, I actually like the color combo (although I doubt I could pull it off!) and I have no problem with the cardigan being sheer. In fact, I have a short-sleeved green cardigan that is very lightweight and sheer. I have never given a second thought that the tee underneath shows. I didn't think it mattered. I'm okay with the belt but not together with the pearls; likewise, I'm fine with the pearls but not together with the belt. Re: pic #2, the dress is gorgeous. For kicks I wish I could see what it would look like in green fading to black. Mrs. Obama looked beautiful at both events!
@ Mrs. A. I, too, like the sheath evening dress Mrs. Obama is wearing in photo #2.
@ lorns and fellow commenters. I just wanted to let you all know that I have not signed on as a member in the Chat-Discussion Board. Someone is IMPERSONATING me! So if you or anyone else, sees a Ms. M., it is DEFINITELY not me! I will never, ever reference Mrs. Obama as michelle (lower case) because I respect her position as our First Lady of the United States, and I don't know her personally (that's just my take ). Nor would I say, "love, love michelle."
I'm referencing the O. Chat Mighty Michelle Shopper blog in the Chat-Discussion Board entry dated January 26, 2010 at 7:37 p.m., was not from or by me! So, you will only see my entries on this blog, not in the Chat-Discussion Board.
Mrs. T has already been notified of this matter and I'm looking for it to be cleared up quickly!
Where does First Lady Obama find her belts? I need a belt just like the one she's wearing. Super cute!!!
@Ms. M – Age wise, I am closer to being a peer of Mrs. O’s mother than I am to Mrs. O. herself. Despite the age difference, I too cannot bring myself to refer to her as anyone other than Mrs. O or Mrs. Obama. I never gave it much conscious thought before, one way or the other, but your post made me realize it has nothing to do with age. It really is more an acknowledgement, and respect for her position than anything else. Thanks for the enlightenment.
BTW, I looked up the meaning of “fur coat/no knickers” on Wiktionary. If the definition (or gist) listed there was even close to your comment, I love it even more!
Thanks for the compliment Mrs M
Love this! Nice to see the French knot detail again after the first one worked so well (the Barbara Walters interview white shift with grey and black French knot detail) I don't think this one is as pretty but it's certainly eye-catching, excellent for Mrs O's figure and the event.
And may I just use this photo to demonstrate exactly why I'm SO delighted that Mrs O rarely wears Political Wife suits? At least when she does wear a suit, she wears exciting ones that are cut beautifully and have interesting detail. And fit.
The first outfit is quintessential Mrs O isn't it??! Fresh, bright, startling colours, casual, smart, friendly and bright. Love it.
(Wow! I see that the Misery Club was waiting for starters orders the MINUTE this post went up!!!! Wow, you guys really have nothing better to do, huh?!)
@Asereht, So thoughtful of you to look up that phrase. Thank you. I looked it up, interesting....(smile)
Love the contrasting colors of this look. Very bold, high-spirited, and confident.
@ lorns. I, purposefully, intended for anyone curious about this statement to search for it them self. At the time, I wanted to elaborate on it from a different approach, yet hadn't come up with the way to do it, until now. The gist of it is, it's not just the outward embodiment which solely should get worked on, while leaving the inside personification a free-agent to whatever is adverse or the like that comes along hitchhiking, causing stagnation to one's soul! SMILE!
Mrs. Obama, exemplifies a person, who continuously works on enriching her 'whole' self!
Ms.M. I didn't think of looking up the phrase at the time, I was sort of thinking back on those nice ones yu got from your mentor, we talked about bfore. We live and learn and still die dumb (smile).
I just typed it in, and the first site from the English Idioms gives a good explanation. Infact I had a very bad experience with someone like that. Interesting backgrounds.
@ lorns. That's okay, about not thinking to look up the phrase at that time. No one had any way of knowing that was my intent. It only turned out that way, as to allow myself some time, until I could constructively put into words my thoughts regarding this idiom. You were just quick on the draw when it came to asking about it! LOL! Which is okay! It reminds me to be prepared at all times!
As I continue to learn and grow on the path of enlightenment, just like Mrs. Obama and my mentor, I want to convey to others confidence from the inside, out. Mrs. Obama does it well!
Good good.
because blue + yellow pigment yields the color green, looks to me like she is fully dressed in green for st. patrick's day --- in an understated fashion.