Suits and Pearls
Monday, January 24, 2011 at 7:18 PM 
Images by Kevin Lamarque / Reuters Pictures
First Lady Mrs. O and Dr. Jill Biden joined the President in the East Room of the White House today to announce a new pledge to support military families.
“These are lasting commitments by the government to address your needs and concerns for years to come. And my hope is that these recommendations will live on no matter the president, no matter the party,” said the First Lady.
Mrs. O will travel to Fort Jackson in Columbia, SC to speak about the new pledge for military families this Thursday. The same day, Mrs. O will also appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" to promote the cause.
On a style note, both Mrs. O and Dr. B turned to suits and pearls for this appearance, showcasing two distinct variations on the same concept. The First Lady wore a grey tweed skirt suit, paired with a triple strand of pearls. Dr. B dressed in a mix of neutrals, combining a taupe skirt with an ivory tuxedo jacket. Pearl accessories completed the look.
"Obama Pledges More Support for Military Families" [ABC News]
Reader Comments (41)
First Lady Obama looks beautiful as usual. I was wondering if she has her clothes made?
That is probably the worst fitting suit that Mrs. O. has ever worn - and there have been a few!
I must say, I'm not quite feeling this suit on Mrs. O. But Dr. B looks fantastic.
Both of the Ladies look lovely; the Prez looks handsome as well.
Would love to see Mrs. O's shell/sweater without the jacket; it looks like a uniquely designed neckline or that may part of the pearls.
Yes, I have noticed a difference in her style choices and this suit is a good example of the change. This suit is frumpy. I think she is dressing more average and less fashionably. Perhaps she is just mellowing out. Moving to the dull center like American taxpayers want her and her husband to be.
Both women look beautiful. Don't forget ladies, FLOTUS will be on "Oprah" to discuss millitary families this Thursday. Also, Mrs.T I like that you have started to add links that accompany the reason FLOTUS is at an event. Sometimes the great things she does goes unnoticed.
perhaps Mrs.O should have worn this to the state dinner
http://www.oscardelarenta.com/?folderId=/collections/runway/fall2010#lookId=46&
Not crazy about the cut of Mrs. O's suit, but she looks so cute in stockings. I wonder why she wore them today, she said she hated them (and I certainly can relate). And yes, I must admit, Dr. B is rocking her suit (Adore the camel shoes)!
Wow, she wore stockings with this suit. I guess her style has changed a little bit, since she has said previously she does not wear stockings, also I like both Jill and FLOTUS' shoes.
They both look good. I can't believe that no one is discussing her stockings, or rather her opague tights! She never wears them and it looks remarkable on her.
Additionally, I must say that I am so glad she does what she wants. Just the other day someone stated that she should invest in suits, now she wears a more traditional one, and already people are saying she looks frumpy. Just goes to show you can't please everyone, because if you try you will go crazy yourself.
Mrs. O looks stunning, lovely and distinguished. Not really feeling Dr. B's look...looks like she just pulled some things out and put them on!!!
"Worst fitting suit" wow......*ignoring the patients that just escaped the mental ward*...I think both ladies look smart and sophisticated. The black stockings go well with the undershirt Mrs.O has on. And I like the taupe and ivory combo on Dr. B. And I'm loving the taupe (?) pumps...glad I decided to buy those now.
The grey suit is attractive, but it seems to age Michelle. She looked so young and sassy in that Marc Jacobs dress, but here she's too schoolmarmish. But I guess even mighty Michelle has to wear sleeves and hose every so often! It was 10 degrees F in DC today. :-)
Jill looks super.
Both ladies look lovely. I love Jill Biden's shoes! I also love how wonderful her clothes fit. It highlights how important good tailoring can be. I like Mrs. Obama's suit and the tights. Wish the fit was better.
Black tights are one of my happiest fashion accessories. Love them.
I cant believe she covered her legs!!! and she still looks good!
If you loved Mrs. O in Naheem Khan at the first State Dinner for the Indian PM, then you will ADORE this doll:
https://offers.bradfordexchange.com/product.php?productid=111524001&groupid=NB&cm_ven=FB-BEX&cm_cat=MichelleObama-F55_111524001&cm_pla=FirstLadyFashion_Img-inst&cm_ite=F55_KW-MichelleObama_1Step-Y_Niche&keep_https=yes
@ Liz Amen. Here's the suit--and somber enough for a funeral--and there's a fuss about frumpy. Doh! The suit is fine. But FLOTUS doesn't rock a suit the way she rocks a dress. Can't think of one.
I think both ladies look great. For all of those complaining that Mrs. O doesn't wear hoisery or suits this one is for you. Although I bet those same people will have something negative to say about this ensemble as well. Just goes to show that you can't satisfy all the people all the time. Such is life! Can't wait to see what Mrs. O wear tomorrow night.
Gasp! Dr. B is not wearing hoisery! Let's see how many complain about that. I think both ladies look great and very suitable (pun unintended LOL) for the occasion. For all of those complaining that Mrs. O doesn't wear hoisery or suits this one is for you. Although I bet those same people will have something negative to say about this ensemble as well. Just goes to show that you can't satisfy all the people all the time. For goodness sake, people are already calling the suit frumpy...SMH. Such is life! Can't wait to see what Mrs. O wears tomorrow night. I'm sure it will be a winner (as usual). ;-D
I think her suit is nice! I hate that you all say hateful things directed at her because you cannot manipulate her into being who you want her to be. Get over it! She is Lady Obama, and she is who she is!
Once again, FLOTUS, just when you think you can predict her, OUR FLOTUS," Fllips the Script" and gives the naysayers what they want i.e., suits and stockings and here comes the barage of criticisms. Instead of appreciating that this is a woman who cannot and will not be predictable. A woman who I can surely relate to and appreciate because she is confiident in whatever she wears. Dr. B. looks great, but Baby, it's cold outside and the suit she is wearing is something that I would wear in the Spring. I loved both of the women shoes, but thick stockings the same color as the shoes would have been a warmer choice. Unless, of course, you want to show off a tan. I appreciate that, but I do not mean to compare when these are two different stylish women who will not suit us to death (thank you, ladies), One suit a year is fine with me. We have seen enough suits from the previous decades of ladies in the White House to us last us a lifetime.
As I posted before, there are suits - and there are suits.
This one is very poorly tailored. Poorly constructed and finished. If you doubt me, take a trip to daylife.com and look at the suit from all angles.
Someone did not do her a favor with this suit. She has done better in the past. She can do better now.
The black tights and pumps are a good change from the suede boots.
I prefer Jill Biden 's suit. Lovely shoes !!!
I'm clearly in the minority. I love Mrs O's suit. I love the classic grey colour, the string of pearls but more importantly I love the tights. THAT is a look that I could easily wear to work.
I'm sadly one of those people who is the last person to remove tights when summer comes. I honestly do not feel dressed without them and secretly although I respect other's opinions, I often feel this way when I see other bare legged women. She looks polished and classy. I love both her and Dr Biden. They make political wives look so sexy. I need to move to America and marry myself a senator !!
Mrs. O's suit skirt seems baggy in the waist/thighs. Is this a result of the photograph's angle?
p.s. LOL ladywatcher @ Oscar de la Renta dress.
Please check out the other pics from HuffPo
I think she looks great, and can not understand why so many think that the suit fits improperly
fyi, those are pleated panels on the front of the suit....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/michelle-obama-jill-biden_3_n_813318.html
Even in a "buttoned down" look like a suit and tights, Mrs. O makes a unique fashion statement--check out her necklace in these photos at Huffington: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/24/michelle-obama-jill-biden_3_n_813318.html!
Suit is good. Just missing her trademark pop of color.
I like the fact that she wears a suit for a change (why not?), as well as the black tights (they are gorgeous with the shoes!). Unfrotunately, though, I have to agree with "BeeGee": this suit is just badly tailored! It does not fit properly at all. Which is a shame.
Dr. Biden looks superb.
@ Mr Mr, thanks for the link to Huffington Post. I really got a good look at FLOTUS' and SLOTUS' suits and they have some very interesting and unique details. I must admit that prior to seeing them up close I thought neither suit was anything to write home about. They looked like plain old suits, which is perfectly fine, in and of itself. But upon seeing these pics, these suits have some funky details and I likey! Those offset pearls that our Michelle is wearing are unique. Both ladies used pearls as the jewels of choice, yet they could not be more different. It's interesting how they used them to suit their personal style. That's what fashion is all about, making it your own!
I know that this is a Mrs. O style website. But, I have to say I love everything Mrs. Biden wears. She always, always look nice. She makes the case that wearing a suit or blazer doesn't have to look LOL ("little old lady").
@ Jestina, you're funny!
I like the suit and appreciate the change of pace.
Business attire is always appropriate for a First Lady.
I agree a pop of color could have given a boost to the overall look.
Dr. Biden looks great as always.
Dr. Biden is stepping up her game...big time! Did you see those shoes?!?
@Strong Foru, I love the shoes too! I can't believe Jill Biden is almost 60. She looks fabulous! I am considering a Jill Biden page on the blog.
Dr. B is in good shape and always looks lovely but would have a much more "finished " look if she wore stockings. As a woman over 60 there is nothing attractive about all the veins that show up on your ankles and feet.
Love both suits on Dr. Biden and Mrs. O.
Maybe we need a Dr. B website because lately Jill Biden looks stunningly beautiful and younger than her age. She too knows how to put a look together. I like her twist on conservative fashion. I like Mrs. O's suit. I think we just do not have the best picture of the suit and we are used to seeing her in dresses. These ladies represent us well.
first time I have preferred Dr. Biden to Mrs. O! biden's shoes are especially beautiful
I don't like to wear hosiery, but I sometimes like the look of hosiery. Mrs. O may feel the same. Dr. B looks great as well, but should have buttoned her jacket.