A Delightful Mix of Print and Pattern
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 at 2:59 PM 
Image by Jim Young / Reuters
The first lady hosted a town hall meeting on childhood obesity at the White House today, as part of an ongoing effort to support her "Let's Move" initiative.
Per Political Punch, "Mrs. Obama spent about an hour answering students’ questions that addressed the price of healthy food, what schools can do to educate students about healthy eating and living and the role that government can play in this effort."
On the style front, Mrs. O playfully mixed print and pattern, working with a palette of white, black and navy in her full skirt, floral camisole and lace print cardigan. More to follow.
Update #1: Mrs. O wears a lace cardigan by L'Wren Scott, paired with a Talbots blouse.
Update #2: Mrs. O's patchwork skirt is from the Jean Paul Gaultier S/S 2010 collection.
Jean Paul Gaultier, L'Wren Scott, Talbots
Reader Comments (78)
I love all the elements of this outfit, but, as Mother Carnegie would say, taken all together there is too much going on. I would have loved the skirt+cardigan with a white or black tank, or the skirt with some kind of cool black top. Also, the green shoes throw it off for me (although are those her Inauguration Day shoes?)
It is alot going on but I'm not mad at it. No ma'am, those are not her inaugural day shoes. Those were a darker green and they had a lil bit of a heel.
Like I said on the other thread, I just loved how she interacted with the kids afterwards, even taking some more questions while shaking hands with the kids. I just love the lady and I don't care who knows it!!!!! Corny, I know, but I can't help myself.
I''m with you Nyon, Mrs. O can't really do much wrong in my book, even when she wears something funky and strange like today. This outfit is vintage Mrs. O to me, with the full skirt, bold patterns, cardi and flats. I'm sure not too many will like it, and I don't think she was wearing it for us to like. This was about wearing something different and comfy.
Haven't we seen this skirt before? With a black top? Are you sure it's navy? I love this look - totally on target for the occasion. She is so approachable! I've been watching a program called House Rules. The Life Coach, Fran Harris, reminds me a lot of our FLOTUS.
Interesting choice of shoe color. It is nice to punch things up with color somewhere when wearing black and white.
Love the skirt.
I think she is spot on in her mixing of patterns and prints. Bravo!
My initial impulse is to say too much going on, too many different patterns and prints ... but, when I see it all together and on FLOTUS, it works for me! She looks great, and she's doing a wonderful job of getting her message out and being accessible and interested and interesting. Love her, too!
More info on her cardigan, please.
If you get the chance, watch this event on C Span . FLOTUS was great with the kids and the outfit looked a lot better-less distracting-on television than it does in this still picture. Somehow when you see FLOTUS animated - speaking, gesturing, moving among the audience, this outfit really works. She looked pretty, relaxed and approachable. Perfiect for an event with school children.
My bad - I think I saw a skirt like this and several others in one of the many magazines I looked through recently. Is it a DVF by any chance? It's the stripy pattern on the bottom that is catching my eye because it was a repeated pattern throughout the collection but for the life of me I can't remember whose collection it was from!
I love FLOTUS but as the Men on Film from In Living Color would say, "Hated it". This looks like it should be titled "What Not to Wear- White House Edition"
If I saw a woman wearing that outfit whilst walking down the street, I would immediately start looking for her little children, or maybe assume she was a teacher. This look is thoroughly playful, cutesy and makes her approachable. Notice what she wears when meeting children (i.e the Wanatabe cardigan). She mixes her clothes to remove the business look. I don't know whether she does it intentionally or whether she even notices it herself but it works.
The black and white look is a classic. I love it and I love it because I would wear it myself. Another thing, I must remember to start thinking out of the box when it comes to my shoes. I still gravitate towards the neutrals. When the summer sales arrive, I must try to snap up those bargain shoes in yellow, green and blue that everyone else overlooks. Mrs O is my inspiration. I feel like I have my own stylist giving me tips.
P.S I'd love to see a close up on the cardigan.
Wow, this lady is unpredictable, this is why there is a blog about her fashion. I love the funky, vintage look, the mix of patterns, thank goodness, she was starting to look a bit staid to me lately. I'm looking me a skirt like that and those look like the shoes she wore in NYC. My 17 year old niece thinks that this look is "out of this world", point: notice her audience.
i actually like the mix of prints here, i especially love the top half.
I think there's a method to Mrs. O's madness. Hear me out....
Perhaps the most controversial and criticized Mrs. O outfit included that Junya Watanabe asymmetric argyle sweater. She wore some version of that sweater three times:
1) The first time was when she wore the blue version when she attended a girl's school in London on April 2, 2009
2) The second time was when she wore the pink version during an April 23, 2009 Q & A with children at the White House
3) She again wore the blue version recently when she accepted the Big Help award at Nickelodeon's 23rd Annual Kids' Choice Awards
And now, Mrs. O wore this very high contrast, more playful outfit when addressing children for her "Let's Move" initiative.
Does anyone see a pattern here?
When Mrs. O addresses children, she seems to take more risks by putting together playful and colorful outfits. It would be interesting to see if someone contrasted her average outfit when she addresses children and contrasts it to her other outfits. Mrs. O knows how to both put children at ease and keep their attention. Part of her method is to dress in a way that kids would think is "cool."
The unpredictability of Mrs. O........even though it looks good on her, I am just not loving it.
All of the pieces are beautiful....but just not together.
I think it works wonderfully, not busy at all. In fact, I LOVE it. This again reminds me of a new type of global couture that combines western dress patterns with other cultures' aesthetic, i.e. mixing of bright colors and contrasting patterns (that to western eyes often seems "busy"). Mrs. O has been, in my view, a very elegant proponent of this new, globalized aesthetic.
Examples of "traditional" clothing from around the world:
http://www.travelinstyle.com/turkey/harem/Garden1.jpg
http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/contests/?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=865904&g2_serialNumber=3
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/163/413674613_4b322ec50b.jpg
http://www.travelblog.org/Photos/1257018
http://www.independent.co.uk/travel/africa/african-dream-swazilands-secrets-revealed-1548302.html?action=Popup
You get the point...
Here, Kimora's dress (I believe is her name) also reflects a similar global aesthetic, but in a very different sort of way from that of Mrs. O.
http://www.fashionafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/djimou-hounsou-and-kimora-lee-simmons.jpg
No, M'aam! I read the comments while I waited for the pic to download. The comments always download before the pics because my internet is slow. When I read the comments and then saw the first half of the pic, From top to waist, I thought "this isn't that bad!" Then the bottom half uploaded and I saw the skirt with even more patterns. I got dizzy. Not sure what she was going for. So many nice pieces, so badly put together. If she had worn sth solid at the bottom, the outfit may have worked. I know she likes to wear what she loves but seems that she should have loved each of these separately. Are these the same shoes she was wearing in NY to see a play on Broadway? Not liking them with this outfit either. This is one of those situations where I wonder that with all the people in the Whitehouse, how come no trusted person with her ear said anything. I think you can be confident in your choices but no harm in getting a second or third opinion when every outfit you wear is hitting the world stage.
On a slighty different note, I bet more children have been to the White House since January 2009 than most Presidents have done in two terms. How anyone can find fault with Mrs Obama is anyone's guess but I love what she is doing and giving these children the opportunity to see inside a building which otherwise would be out of bounds to them. It must be great to be a kid in DC.
sorry this outfit does not come across well to me...she should have worn a solid color black shirt with the skirt and ditched the green shoes...
LOVE IT BUT GREEN SHOES? OK I WILL WEAR BLACK FLAT SHOES WITH IT. SHE LOOKED GREAT IN ANYTHING SHE WEAR.YOU GO FRIST LADY YOUR DAUGTHER MALIA IS DRESSING LIKE YOU TO NICE. SHASHA WILL VSHE GETTING THERE TO.
top is talbots
I SO agree with Tsetse! There are indeed some wonderful pieces in this outfit, but I think they belong to some other ensembles. I do like the green shoes...just a little something different with all of the black and white.
I'm sorry but I think Mrs. Obama looks HUGE in this outfit -a slim black pencil skirt would have been flattering - not a big patterned skirt.
Comments on comments:
Playful is a perfect way to describe this outfit.....it's fresh, young, approachable. No kid in that room is afraid of her. She looks like a mom!
This look could be said to be "busy", yes, but go online and take a good look at some of the outfits that are worn around the globe. Many cultures mix a myriad of colors and patterns. This actually looks fantastic on the FLOTUS. The skirt has a global "tribal" vibe. The top and cardigan are "girly". Together, they work!
Huffington Post has a closer view of the sweater http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/04/07/michelle-obama-mixes-many_n_528672.html and the lace design is very pretty. Looks like there is both blue and black in the skirt. I'm with those who like these pieces individually, but not all together. I still love the FLOTUS!
I think it's cute. Not many could pull off the mix but somehow she does. It's fun and easy going and classy for being with a lot of children (not too fitted, nor dowdy either). I like that she did the colored shoes though I think something brighter (red?) would have been even more fun. Proud, as always, of our FLOTUS
I looked at LaWren Scott's Spring 2010 fashion show again and would love to see Mrs. Obama wear numbers, 12, 13, 14, and 15. They would look wonderful on her. I enjoy the fact that she dresses in fun clothes when with children.
I am in love, I love what she did with her outfit I love how she thinks, she does stuff with her clothes that is so out of the box and it flows COOL!
I just love this website! It's just so refreshing to see people who are enthusiastic about our First Family and not have to slog your way through hateful, obscene vitriol. Following Mrs. O's fashion choices is a way of gathering a community of support together. People may disagree, but they are, for the most part, respectful of the First Family and of each other. Thanks. It's a fun site to visit.
I agree with the person above - individual elements are good - but not together.
I don't mind the mix of pattern - the real problem here is the full top with the full bottom. She should choose one or other other: full on top with skinny bottom or skinny top and full on bottom.
This makes here look matronly - yikes!
I agree that there is too much going on with this outfit. The shoes does nothing for the look. Plus, the fullness of the skirt and the blouse shortens her waist in an unflattering way. I love the pieces...not together. As always, I adore Mrs. O! She's a lovely person and one of our greatest national assets!
I think an ensemble like this is probably delightful in person, but doesn't translate as well to photography.
This is a little too busy for me, but I love that she is as avant guard as she can possibly be as a first lady. It thrilling.
Might the skirt be Rodarte? Its screaming Rodarte to me! Can anyone confirm?
I would have to agree with those that say this outfit does not photograph well. I was able to see Mrs. O on C-Span and it looked very nice, flowed beautifully and looked great under the camera lights. If I was a kid, I would have been mesmerized by the amazing patterns. The kids were just staring at her for the entire time and were so alert and engaged. But I have to say that I loved the outfit on TV and dislike it a lot in the photo. Go figure.
The White House just posted this little video of the highlights from the Easter Egg Roll that cameras didn't capture and they even show Mrs. O dancing in it. It really made me smile that so many people get to have fun in the Obamas' backyard and are really a part of the People's House---it's the cutest video to watch:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/easter-egg-roll-video-highlihts
This is a different take on springtime charm. It looks really crisp and fresh. While peasant skirts are not my favorites, this works on FLOTUS. She has the body type to pull this off and I quite like the mixing of patterns. I think that little dash of color on her feet makes it stylish. The kids look thrilled and our Michelle seems so energized when she around young ones. Looks like it was a good day for all of them.
I'm a big fan of our First Lady and think she has a fabulous, innovative, fresh fashion sensibility.
She goes where not many dare to go!
But this outfit comes a little too close to the "Trying Too Hard To Be Different" line. Cross it and
you enter Hot Mess Land.
But tomorrow is another day!
The shirt portion of the outfit reminds me of the dress worn for the Smithsonian donation.
I wounder if that is it and she hid the bottom with the skirt.
Mixes of color blocks and abstract florals can mix. And I am v. fond of black and white. My test for what works: I just use my 6' tall DIL as sort of a visual measuring device. On someone that tall - even if slim - this is a bit overwhelming.
I find it quite tedious that people here need to disparage previous first ladies in order to promote Michelle Obama. The fact is that Laura Bush had an advanced degree in library science, she promoted literacy (which is actually more of an issue in poor and developing nations than fat kids) during the 8 years she was in the white House. Women's and children's literacy in the developing world and in the US was her issue, she held countless events in the White House reading and talking about books to kids. She did not promote herself as some do but simply worked to use her position to improve people's lives. The Book Fair which takes place in September in Washington is a world class event thanks to her work, tireless & selfless. She went to Afghanistan and other places that try to prevent women's education and promoted literacy progams for women and girls. But of course that doesn't matter because she didn't talk about herself and her fabulousness all the time.
As to this outfit, when she talks to children Michelle seems to need to dress in exaggerated "fun" style. Why she feels the need to dress like Maria Von Trapp in The Sound of Music is a mystery to me.
The cardigan is fabulous, though.
i like it.its quirky and fun.
Meh....I'm not convinced by that particular cardigan. It's possible that an equally strong pattern in the cardigan to balance the strength of the rest of the outfit might have worked more effectively? Maybe it doesn't quite come off because the flowers/lace is a bit weedy compared to the other patterns. Dunno, anyway, it doesn't matter, she looks cool. The top and skirt are VERY nice. I'm still just thankful we don't have to put up with suit after suit after suit after suit.
(Is the top by the same designer responsible for a white shift dress with handpainted flowers on it, that Mrs O wore to unveil her Inaugural Ball gown? Looks similar....ish.)
Ha! Just looked up at Mica's comment!!!
Another cover: http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama;_ylt=AonUXx8oTeVatVFQhhkSeTSaK8MA
I love the teamwork of the Obamas. She's all about humanizing the administration, opening it up and making it the "People's House." I love that. Things are so heavy these days, I like how she provides a bit of levity and a bit of a common touch by focusing on the simpler things in life, like healthy eating and volunteerism.
Wow IVA,
Thanks for the link. What a stunning (completely different) picture of the First Lady. I must get a copy when it is released.
Wow - I'm surpised that I love this look. It is not something I'd ever consider doing - all those pleast, all those patterns, yet it looks fantastic on her. Guess why there's a fashion blog about her and not about me!
Love the look. It is not something most people could pull off or get right but Mrs O. Does it.
I love this outfit. It has a breezy, going-to-a-picnic feel that I find both charming, and, as many have already said, approachable. The kids are clearly beside themselves with delight and likely more than a little awe.
I have to wonder if this event had taken place outside, and the consequent photos had been taken in the bright sunlight of a springtime day rather than against the staid neutral decor of the White House, there might have been less concern voiced about mixing and matching all the patterns. Perhaps. Perhaps not. It crossed my mind.
I do love this look, though. I will even confess that I might have died of pure pleasure had the FLOTUS chosen to wear bright pink espadrilles (à la Sasha) rather than the green flats. Or red. Red ones would have done it, too.
Nice ! I really love the mix, gorgeous and she looks stunning.
Kisses
www.angelesalmuna.com
To Nonpasserat:
Mrs. Obama does "herself" and does not appear to be swayed by anyone's criiticism. In general your comments tend to be very critical and comparative to other first ladies. I am sure Ms. bush had her "interests" ans Ms. Obama has hers. Why is it necessary for you to "lift" Ms. Bush at Ms. Obama's expense?? i. e. , literacy is more important than fat kids? Ask yourself - why are you so "critical" of Ms. Obama - what does it say about you?