A Day of Basic Training
Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 9:12 PM 
Images by Mary Chastain / Reuters
Today was a tour de force for Mrs. O and her support of the military. As the First Lady appeared on Oprah's "America's Bravest Families" episode, she was also at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina to speak at basic training graduation and promote "Let's Move." From CNN:
"Obama attended a briefing led by Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, the Army's Deputy Commanding General for training, on the poor state of physical fitness for today's youth, and the difficulty for the military to attract new recruits who can meet basic fitness standards. Of the 129,000 new recruits every year, approximately 40 percent are overweight."
On a style note, Mrs. O braved the chilly east coast weather in a grey wool coat with geometric seam detailing by Narciso Rodriguez. Inside, Mrs. O dressed in a gray pantsuit, accessorized with an Alexis Bittar Elongated Marquis pin, available here.
"First Lady takes healthy eating message to military" [CNN]
Alexis Bittar, Narciso Rodriguez
Reader Comments (33)
I'm a big fan of gray and love this structured coat.
BRAVO to Mrs. O for her heartfelt appearance today on the Oprah show and at Fort Jackson. She is really doing a great job of calling attention to the issues facing the military and how we can help. And looking very beautiful while doing it. Thank you, Mrs T!
Her dress on Oprah was lovely but it looked maroon to me. Was it my TV? I like this jacket nicely structured and she is wearing hosiery.....
Thanks to our men and women in the military for there sacrifice. Thanks to the FLOTUS for recognizing and bringing it to the for front.
On a style note Michelle looks great.
I have been look at the Alexis Bittar site for weeks in regards to these pins. He has the sparkly ones and one that is similarly shaped but more of a day time look. Alas I am 5'2", and even on sale the look of the pin will over whelm me.
BEAUTIFUL outfit. From the structured coat to the business suit to the scarf to the cute flats.
Everything looks GREAT.
I Likey!!
Absolutely smashing and I love that brooch.
Love it she looks wonderful.
She looks great - and I love that coat. Is there a close up of the scarf?
I have to say I love all her pins ... and its made me appreciate all the jewelry my Gma and Great-Aunts left to me. I never wore any of the pins before ... but now I try and wear one everyday.
A fabulous look for Mrs. O -- tailored/structured, but still with a good flow and softness to the overall look. Love the grey color. She looks beautiful and is doing good work!
Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. This outfit was a loss.
Wonderful look and she is doing a wonderful job!!
Good looking and warm outfit.
I'm shivering just thinking about the cold and very early mornings I spent at Fort Jackson for basic training during the months of January and February, smh.
I loved my time in the U.S. Army!
Way to go, SoccerNana! Thank you for your service :-) It's nice that you are military-minded and fashion conscious (as your interest in this log shows).
Cheers to you, SoccerNana, and every generous person who serves in our military. They and
their families are to be supported and celebrated. What greater gift can you give than a part
of your life to our country? I am curious, are there any other military people watching this blog?
Char
Lovely look...the structured coat, pin, scarf, pantsuit and of course those shoes (I'm a shoe freak) look so comfy yet, distinguished. Thank you Mrs. O for bringing focus to the sacrifice of all our military families and how we, as Americans, must show our appreciation for them and to them. To all the active military personnel and veterans who visit this site...thank you for your service to our nation. <3 God bless our First family and God bless America.
The suit and the pin are stunning.
First glance at the first photo it doesn't look as feminine as we normally see the first lady, but I think she looks great - strong, practical and beautiful!
@Tammy, I think you can wear the pin! Consider it. It really is a beautiful one. I am liking the grey colors on her....@SoccerNana thank you for your service!
She looks absolutley fierce, perfectly tailored, warm, clean, it is absolute perfection!! And i love what she is doing with the military! Love her! Well Done.
An excellent choice for the First Lady. Love the structured lines on the coat for her. Love the brooch and how she worked it: a simple outfit beautifully tailored and businesslike but that little something extra that is a nice little surprise!
Mrs. O looks lovely and classic. Military style coats are so sharp and well tailored. That scarf does look interesting.
Kudos to you SoccerNana for your service.
In response to Char's question, I did not serve in the military, but my dad is retired Air Force who served as an advisor on military school curriculum and HR at the Pentagon.
It is so gratifying that Mrs. O makes the welfare of military families a high priority on her agenda.
Smart, savv woman. We are honored to have her as our First Lady. She looks cozy and comfy from top to bottom. Love the shade of gray of the coat, the scarf, the haircut. I'm not crazy about the cut of the coat. Don't think it's the most flattering, but even the most flattering of clothes can have a split second-bad camera angle.
I really like this look, it's very low key. I hope that people start writing articles about her wonderful initiatives, because for the past two years it's been all about what she is wearing. I hope the East Wing starts to notice that her legacy is being set up to be more about what she is wearing instead of what she is saying and doing.
Splendid!
@Tammy: Consider wearing the pin slightly slanted, so it won't be too vertical and overpower you as you are concered it will do. This way, it will be a nice accent and not draw attnetion to length or height. Good luck
@ Nyon, I likey too! Wow, our michelle is a force to be reckoned with!
To my fellow Mrs-O.org bloggers, you are most welcomed! :0)
I love seeing Mrs. O dressed for the cold weather. I live in Boston and can't imagine wearing a sleeveless daytime dress on these Northern winter days. She looks fantastic today!
Wonderful how the scarf hints at the camo uniforms!
This Army Brat is so proud of Our Lady.
@ Mia Monte,
I totally agree with you. Michelle Obama is more substance than just the fancy clothes she wears. Yes, as women, we all like to look pretty as she says often, but we've got to be more than just the latest trend or look. That's why I admire this woman so much, and we should all try to emulate her in more ways than just her clothes. As she says, "there's a lot we can do in our communities to make life easier for others". This sense of service, of community is what I think is at the root of her and her husband's passion for the work they've always done from their early days in Chicago all the way to the White House. I am so thankful that they are the helm of our country in these difficult times.
I like the coat but I think I'd have worn ankle boots.
Love it! Nothing says military like gray wool. Liking the cut of overcoat. And the pin is to die for! Nice ensemble, Michelle!
I also love all shades of grey. Beautiful coat, great, well-fitting pants, and a fabulous brooch! I am coveting the brooch so much that I may have to dip into savings to get it!
GAWJUS coat! Gorgeous brooch too!