Wednesday
May122010
Modern Classic
Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at 6:53 PM 
Photo by Paul Morigi / Getty Images
The first lady attended the 2010 National Military Family Association Summit at Georgetown University today, debuting a new emerald green dress paired with a classic double strand of pearls.
I am the first to acknowledge that the comparison between Mrs. O's style and that of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is often made much too literal by the American media. However, one can't help of acknowledge a bit of inspiration in Mrs. O's choice of ensemble above -- the solid bold color, high neckline, and longer sleeves all seem to recall an early 60s style influence. Lovely!
Reader Comments (102)
she looks very First Ladyish in this picture. I'm not a fan of green- just not one of my favorite colors. Would have liked this dress in red or purple.
What's the collar line called. I'm sure Dr. Biden would have wanted to be here as well. Our prayers to the Biden family as their son recovers.
MRS OBAMA LOOKED NICE BUT SHE NEED TO FIXED HER HER DONT LIKE IT WHEN SHE PUT IT BACK HER FOR HEAD LOKED BIG LOVE HER SHOES.
I love the color. What kind of fabric is the dress? I think it looks a bit Jackie O-ish, too, but the fabrics have advanced and look so much better now.
It's sort of a funnel neck of sorts, but there may be another more specific word for it.... I don't like that particular green but I DO like the cut of the dress very much. As ever I am always caught by the smiles and obvious pleasure of people who are simply around Mrs O.
Agreeing with Mrs T - I think the Jackie O thing is worked to death and not that useful/appropriate/apt. But this really is!
A great, great look! Love this wonderful bright green on Mrs. O.
more pics more pics... i'm loving it already.
I love the hair, make up, and the dress I love the structure. The other picture that I have seen of this dress it looks like it comes with pokets. Cool!
Well, its obvious Mrs. O looked to Jackie O for guidance on creating an iconic style while in the WH. But, she has put her own spin on it resulting in a Michelle O fashion era. I love this look as I love 60's style. I just wish she had gone all the way and brought back her flipped bob hairstyle from the campain days. Love the Obama's!
We used to call that a "boat" neck. I think it's an abbreviation of a french word that describes that type of neckline.
I also love the neckline, structure, and sleeve length of this dress. However, not crazy about the pearls, they are competing awkwardly with the neckline and it looks like they are partially covered up.
http://www.life.com/image/99055822 Good front view. In a few full length photos it looks like it has pockets. Is it a true vintage dress?
Mrs T, I agree in this sense. That this look (60s) is back. Jackie O or not and maybe in part because of Mrs O. Shellly
I love, love , love the emerald green. Mrs. O sometimes looks like royalty to me and today is one of those days.
This is a magnificent color on Michelle, just stunning. I am amazed when people say
they don't like green. How could they not? And there are so so many shades, hues and
families of the color green. Green makes me smile! Love your dress, Michelle.
I frowned first when I saw this look because it just looks so political wifeish to me. Then I had to smile because with what was written about de la Renta in the last few days, appartently this dress is a nod to that boxish, old world style that he has. I'm glad she did it but now I'm over it and hope it never repeats in her wardrobe. My other point is that the photographers or whoever are posting pictures need to find some where she is smiling. Everyone is allowed and off day and we can't be all smiles all the time but it looks like they went out of there way to find the most scowlingest (ok I know this is not a word) pictures they could find. And this candid should not have made it to any website http://www.daylife.com/photo/0h1A5SVdqPeM0?q=michelle+obama .
Anagrom,
Can't say I agree that it is just a bad photo. She does have certain facial expressions unique to her that are not very flattering. One of the posters here (can't remember who) called one of her most used expressions her muppet smile. Well guess we all have expressions that are unbecoming. She has several and seems to get caught more often than not in one of them. If you have certain expression that are your unique look, not sure you can fault the photographer for catching you when you use them. Just an observation. Don't jump my case.
@Auni, that word is "bateau" and it does have that flair. I think this look will be even more polarizing (Mrs.T's word) than the Moschino one (which I'm still swooning over) that she wore for The Mothers Day Tea. This green is a color that does not work on me, as much as I like it, no matter how I may try. Admitittedly, this isn't as fashion forward as we've seen from FLOTUS, but it's nice. It reminds me of Moises de la Renta dress. I wonder if it is indeed his....hmmm! The fit and color is spot on. When it comes to the pearls, well I like them with anything. I guess I'm a pearls kinda girl!
Anagrom- I'm with you... It is so typical of a politician's wife and...I hate it! It's safe and blah...probably one of the reasons that not many First Ladies stood out after Jackie O. Don't get me wrong, she looks very pretty, but the only thing I like about the dress is the color.
A longer view from the side - I don't see pockets.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0gXo3Xbabygh4?q=michelle+obama
More a modified funnel neckline. Not a bateau. That neckline was a signature look for Jackie O and Audrey Hepburn in the 60s. I wore it a lot. Here's an example on JKO:
http://www.applebride.com/pages/Image:Jackieo.jpg
Let's just say it.....this is not her hair at its most flattering. Neither was yesterday. She rocks bangs and I don't know why she insists on pulling her hair back this way. It is extremely unflattering and aging. I wish I could photoshop the last two photos (this and the Thakoon jacket) to give a visual of how much the hair matters.
This is indeed a funnel neck, not a bateau (boat) neck. A bateau neck has no collar, and is cut much wider, nearly to the shoulder. I don't care for bateau necks, as they make it impossible to wear a regular bra.
OK! Finally ... a little nod of the head to Jackie. No cleavage, arms covered. No wacky de-constructed pleats or weird prints. Mrs. O has graduated from Junior High.
I love both the colour and design. This is a very classic look that is timeless. A slightly lower neckline would have shown off the pearls beautifully but overall this is a winner for me. I love the fact that Michelle is out and about almost every day doing something for the good of her country.
Mrs T & TriniSamba - Good luck and God bless for the upcoming nuptials.
I like it. She looks good in the color....as she does in most colors. She has beautiful skin. Green is the color of new growth, how can you not like it? Oh well, to each his/her own. I think the expression on Mrs. O's face is most likely very appropriate for the occasion. She's a lovely lady and comes across as such. It requires a great deal of deep digging to find fault in a color!
As for the reference to Jackie O, it's a natural point of reference. Since there is nothing new under the sun, just about everything will have a point of reference from the past. Seems natural to me!
Have a wonderful day ladies and think green!!!!!!!
I like the color (one of my favorite colors) and simplicity of the dress.
Thank you everyone for your kind wishes.
@Jestina (England) - I am hoping to visit England next year
OK, right after I compliment Mrs. O on her risk-taking & boldness she plays it safe. Very disappointing look. I don't like anything about this outfit, which is a first for me.
This 60s design is a very structured look that needs crisp execution in a fabric that has some body. Not heavy fabric, but firm. Whoever made this dress for her used too soft a fabric - maybe one of those doublefaced knits we've been seeing? - and so it looks a bit wrinkled here and there and puckery on some seams. That is the fault of whoever made the dress. The overall look is good on her.
I am amused that this look is attributed to Jackie O. She adopted it. So did Audrey Hepburn. But so did almost every stylish woman of that era who had a figure that could pull it off. It was a demanding look that didn't work on those with big bustlines or any body ripples. The watchwords were sleek, smooth, clean lines.
Mrs Obama's facial expressions convey a real woman who is demonstrative in what she says and how she says it. If she stood there gleaming, grinning and cheesing hard for any camera opportunities, she would be accused of being insensitive especially with an emotive issue such as military families.
How refreshing when so many high profile women and Hollywood stars have that camera ready "rabbit in the headlights" look about them. I love the woman.
Poiret let hope you graduate from anything. i didn't know arms and cleavage were taboo.thank god you are not in charge of anything that could set women's progress more that a century back. i don't get your obsession with michelle obama's body parts. if you can't look good in the type of dresses mrs.O wears it isn't her fault.no reason for you to get petty.
Great look after some risk taking. I love everything about the dress from the color, neckline and fit.
Ladies, wasn't that kind of neckline called a "bracelet" neckline back in the day? I'm really noncommittal about the dress, frankly, but I do think Mrs. Obama just looks tired and that severe hairstyle doesn't do much for her.
Angram and the rest --- what is a bad pic about that, what in god's name is wrong with that picture. What the hell she is greeting people and she is reacting to what they are talking about.. What is wrong with it, Laura always had her stare and Hillary had her awkward moment... what is the freaking big deal?
This is not the first time I have seen this type of comment, but its like a black lady has to go an extra mile to make nervous 'people' like her or heck just have a descent sense of respect.. she has to make you feel all mushy and whatever.. Its just ridiculous.. GO MICHELLE..DO YOU ..
The day its requested that the likes of Laura and Palin go out of their way to make people of color feel welcomed and take great friendly pictures will i be impressed.... To me there is an element of unconscious prejudice in some reaction here and its something black women especially have had to deal with it. You have to go out of your way to make the other feel comfortable while the 'other' sits in judgment like you cannot tell their smiles and handshakes are fake.
And Jackie O that was her time- its done and over with.
Has it ever occurred to some of you that this style of dressing has been in the store forever, that there is a version at target too. Has it also occurred to you that maybe just maybe MRS OBAMA wears what she like and not everybody is that enamored about jackie or inspired about her.
Black women have always had their own style, its bright colors and uniqueness.
GO TO GOOGLE BOOKS AND GO BACK AND READ EBONY AND JET DATING BACK TO THE 50'S AIN'T NOTHING NEW BUT SURE LOT OF STEALING FROM BLACK WOMEN'S SENSE OF STYLE BY MAINSTREAM DESIGNERS
Sorry life started in the fashion world before jackie and even after jackie. The need to justify everything that is remotely 60's is freaking ridiculous and shows that there is a lack of diversity and history of people of color on the national stage.
Safeness is clothes, what the hell does that mean? She is suppose to dress to make your life feel not boring or be on doll showcase for you or what?
Jeez some need to step out into the word because its a whole lot more diverse. Go read about fashion, go read about the world, its more diverse that the one you are exposed to. You don't like Green that yous but you know what black women love colors, its shows off our complexity and beauty more. Colors scream joy and beauty.
You want to know why the world loves her, its not the clothes or jackie whatever, its there is someone that looks like them. You know more than 60% of the world is made of people of color. The world is a lot more diverse and they know realness. People like real people and they can tell from a mile away. Its someone who wears the disappointments of life, its someone who understands struggle and how fleeting this all is. That is the real reason, they see it and she sees it. There know how fleeting this all is and SHE KNOWS IT. The world sees it, they see how judgmental it is and how she keeps on keeping on. That's why the world loves her, it has nothing to do with clothes and you know what else my people don't go around smiling and putting up a face front because we can tell from a mile away. We keep it real and that is what the world likes. Everyone who has met her even before she was first lady says it.. she is real. Keep doing you Michelle, wear what you want and live it up.
Go step out of your box and see the world, heck go look at your next door neighbor and learn a thing or two. Its pretty clear a lot don't step out of their box
@ Nancy.....
I agree MO looks exhausted - I would be tired too if I had to smile, make speeches, shake hands, hug, remember names, dates, etc. I'm not knocking her for being tired, I'm just saying it shows in these photos.
@Poiret....
"Graduated from junior high" seems a bit unfair and kind of rude
I appreciate the throwback to the 60's this dress offers but sadly just don't like the complete package today ! Looking forward to tomorrow !
Some of you REALLY think Jackie O is GOD. Jackie is not the ONLY woman that wore dresses like this! Most of you need to GET OVER YOURSELVES, every womn does not dress boring. Every woman does not walk around in ugly curtains, so that they can cover up the forbidden arms, and breast! Oh no how dare Michelle show her arms or legs! How dare this woman, she needs to dress like a boring step ford wife like many on here advocate! This website has truly went down the drain, because of the commentators.
Briana you are so spot on with your message--I get so tired of hearing people "Jackie O this-Jackie O that" it's so sickening. Who in the world gave Jackie O a patent over fashion I'd like to know. And this she's bold this day and not so bold the next day. What the heck is that suppose to mean. Michelle O wears what she wants, when she wants and how she wants because they are her clothes and style to do so. The nerve of some of these postered. It's would be halarious if it wasn't so pathetic. The women is gorgeous--and at the same time she is normal with normal everyday expressions as everyone else. the only difference- she's being photographed at every turn. Deal with it! Keep on keeping on Michelle--I know you will.
Whoa, Mia Monte and Briana, if you want to rant and rave, OK, but c'mon! People wouldn't be on this site if they didn't like Michelle's sense of style most of the time.
I am a middle-aged white woman and I don't even see Michelle's race anymore.
I don't love every single fashion choice she makes but I love to see how she puts things together and I am learning from her. I just bought a great set of bangle bracelets from Target and a great cuff bracelet from Macy's — both very reasonable and cool — and Michelle-inspired.
@ briana - You came out like a hot pepper and @ Mia Monte - You too. I understand your frustrations but you know something, life is short and sometimes we all need to stop and let others continue in their ignorant ineptitude.
Stay cool and don't stress yourself...........................................................I AGREE!
i love the simplicity and the aqua hue of this dress.
This look is utterly, utterly boring. Makes her look old and staid and did I say, boring. She looks better in junior high style and why should it be a compliment to dress like someone who was First Lady 49 years ago, please......
All:
I think she looks wonderful and I love the color and styling of the dress.
I bought a suit with the same neckline. It’s a lighter green. There are not many colors that do not compliment my skin tone, as with Mrs. Obama.
I normally don’t bother to post on the fashion side of this blog for the very reasons that Briana mentioned, but decided to add my opinion.
Ladies, lighten up. This is only a fashion blog and no one is going to have to take a final exam. It is not etched in stone that everyone has to agree as we all have different ideas of fashion. What is etched in stone is that we can be mindful and respectful of the First Lady!
Woah! Things are a little heated. I have come to the conclusion that many of us are too intense when in comes to Mrs. O - pro and con. I think sometimes we look at her pictures, and we dissect them. What does this color mean, this cut mean, she should have this length or this bang, why isn't she smiling, why is she smiling that way, etc. I think we do need to just chill and let Mrs. O be Mrs. O and not get too deep in praise or criticism. I know I'm trying to just enjoy the ride that the Obamas have us on!
So in that vein, I think this is a pleasant outfit, with a simple sleeved sheath dress like this you can never go too wrong, and the color is nice enough. I am a pearl fan, so it's nice seeing them again.
Iva, thank you for your thoughtful and leveling commentary. I had considered, for some hours, mounting a reponse to various obviously heartfelt posts on this thread. I was about to pose, that, there are altogether many ways that we, whether women or not--but especially so for women--must compensate day in and day out, not only for the fact of our femaleness, but perhaps also because of our race or ethnicity, our sexual orientation, our geographic or relationship history. The list goes on and and on. I have lived too long. I know too much. It is difficult, in making comments here, on what is basically a fashion website, to differentiate between what is fashion, and in what we believe to our core. At some point, these two aspects inevitably intermingle. How you say what you say seems to be the best bottom line here.
With all of that in mind, I will offer that I have never been a fan of the minty green family of colors when it comes to clothing. With my blindingly white skin (as another poster commented), I tend to look green if I wear green. Same with yellow and red and orange. If anybody can wear those colors, Mrs. O, with her glorious skin tone and perfect complexion, can. Same with all of those styles and clothing adventures that I would find hard to undertake at my short (5'3") height. A taller person can carry this off. Mrs. O undeniably does.
I have to agree with other posters who have commented that Mrs. O looked particularly tired in this recent round of photographs. (Why are ALL of the photos posted from a particular event? I shoot a whole roll of film hoping for one or two good photos. Apparently this way of doing things has changed.)
Mrs. O is utterly remarkable, no matter what she is doing. I cannot imagine living in the bubble of scrutiny that she lives in, day to day. Nor can I imagine the weight of everything that must come with being the spouse of the President. It leaves me breathless even to think of it.
JMH in the heartland (and hoping for no tornadoes tonight)
briana and mia monte -
i too am a young, woman of color and your anger doesn't represent me. i quite like both michelle and jackie. i find hillary inspiring. heck i even like laura and babs. i also appreciate mrs t's commentary on mrs o, which is why i read this blog. though i don't always agree with mrs. t, i do agree that each first lady borrows a little bit of something from the ones before.
what i don't enjoy about this blog is how defensive people can be about mrs o (and then offensive to other posters). mrs. o wears things that she likes. if i don't like it, i will say so. it has nothing to do with not liking her or not finding her to be some unique, talented role model. i do prefer when michelle dresses a little more formally and "covered up." she is the first lady. that puts her in a unique public position. If the POTUS were to show up to a state meeting without a button down shirt and tie, tongues would wag all the same.
Don't see anything wrong with her facial expression in this pic. SHe is conveying warmth and emotion to me. I also have a problem with some facial expressions she makes but this is not one of them. I see she wore some blush on her cheekbone and upwards. It is supposed to give her an awake glow.
I don't like this green but typically don't have a problem with green. My relationship with green has been very interesting because I always used to tell my Mom and friends that i detest green and then one day my boyfriend (now my husband) pointed out to me that my favorite color was green. I thought he was insane till he pointed out how much green I have in my closet. I think there are nice greens and some boring greens that look more old ladyish.
Her outfit looks very Laura Bush to me as well. I have to see a full length pic of the dress but it looks very typical first Ladyish to me. She is really playing it safe with today's attire. I don't like her hair like this and she really should have left the pearls alone. They don't work with the neckline of the dress.
Somehow, this also looks like a dress that Princess Letizia would have worn as well. Like I said, typical first ladyish. Can identify many political wives that would wear it. I think mrs. O sometimes goes too adventurous (like the Moschino) and then sometimes too safe. I love it when she walks a fine line between the too. that is prob why I like her L'Wren Scott ensembles especially the one she addressed the Manufacturers Association in.
I too am sick of the Jackie O references. I looked pretty darned good in the 60s - the clothes of that period suited me. And I, them. For all I know Jackie O dressed like me! :-)
@ IVA, Jill, Briana, Trinisamba, Mia Monte, Jersey Girl, et.al.:
I agree with all of you, yet there are others (and they know who they are) who continue to post comments that are biting and yes, downright rude about the First Lady's looks, her character and her persona, then try to assert that their commentary is only directed at her choice of attire for that day and is not reflective of their admiration of her. What a joke! If you women call yourselves admirers of the Frist Lady, then I wouldn't want to read your "critique" if you disliked or hated her. With "friends" like you, she doesn't need any enemies! Since we have no way to truly assess your motives other than through your postings, it would behoove you to be careful in not only what you say but how you say it, and this can only happen if you take greater care in reviewing your comments for tone and content before you hit the "send" button. To be clear, I am in no way suggesting that we should all agree with or even like all of the First Lady's dress choices, but we should be able to have a very spirited and "informed" discussion on fashion and fashion trends without resorting to condescension, ridicule, and outright insults directed at the First Lady. As the President repeatedly say "we can disagree without being disagreeable". It is mind-boggling to think that this level of negative commentary is coming from women (and occasionally, a few men) who claim to admire, like and respect this First Lady. To tell you the truth, I think otherwise. Based on the degree of malevolence in some of your comments, I cannot help but think that for some of you, this blog serves as an outlet to freely express your utter disdain of this lady, camouflaged as fashion commentary. But I want all of you to know that you are not fooling anyone but yourselves, we see you coming from a distance. You know who you are; the rest of us know who are. We see it in your follow-up comments extolling your "humble opinion" or "your right to disagree" or that "you are not a ditto-head" ad nauseum. So cut the nonsense (yes, cut the crap!). Stop polluting this blog. Take your sludge somewhere else where you will be welcomed because your divisiveness is not welcomed here.
To Mrs. T:
I hope you don't mind, but I had address some of what I believe are personal attacks disguised as fashion commentary in this and several recent postings. This is my small attempt to shed some light on those who from time to time try to use this blog to spew venom at the First Lady by masquerading their intent with so-called fashion commentary.
To Auni- Boat neck, thanks so much. Love, love. love it. Creates a formal yet casual all in one.
As for me, I say Mrs. O is her own person. Jackie O was appropriate for that time in history. Mrs. O represents today's times, Jackie O is a piece of history and there she should remain. Mrs. O should not be made to fit into a Jackie O box, but reflect today's women, ladies and girlie girls of all ages. I
No full length for the shoes, darn.
@Briana, please take a breath. You missed the entire point of my comment about Mrs O's look. If anyone is photographed every minute of everyday there would be expressions that would appear happy, sad, angry, nerdy, or....... However I have noticed on Daylife since the White House Correspondents Dinner that it looks like they have taken extra time to pull out photos and post for viewing those which catch her scowling or frowning. Flickr has some wonderful picutres at the Military Family Association, WHCA, and so on. PiccApp also has some where we can see her smile and persona shine through. And the picture that I pointed out is taken out of context and you can barely see the other person that she is greeting and giving her the same tightfisted boxing gesture. I was only pointing out that some other sites that pull this photo will crop it with the caption "see she really hates America and the military" or "angry black woman".
I am not a troll and routinely don't step into the fray. I am a Mrs O lover through and through. Please allow me to express my dislike for how she is protrayed without being attacked.
P.S. And here are a few pictures http://tinyurl.com/28o7m4d , http://tinyurl.com/26nqlq8 , http://michelleostyle.blogspot.com/