Monday
Nov212011
Red Plus Pink
Monday, November 21, 2011 at 2:33 PM 
Photo by Carolyn Kaster / AP Images
The First Lady was on hand this morning to introduce President Obama before he signed the Veterans Jobs Bill that will provide tax credits to companies to put veterans back to work.
For the occasion, Mrs. O sported a vibrant red and pink color block dress, right on trend for Fall 2011. The color combination is one favored by designers such as Prabal Gurung, Preen and Giambattista Valli in recent seasons. Unexpected juxtapositions, such as bloused and structured sleeves, miniature eyelet against wool crepe, delivered further interest.
Dr. Biden was also in attendance, wearing a navy skirt suit, adorned with a floral brooch.
Reader Comments (29)
It's conservative and stylish at the same time. It's different, yet it works. I like it. I can't quite see the eyelet, though.
Its funky how Dr. B's traditional/classic style compliments Mrs.O's cutting edge fashion.
Beautiful! I like that Mrs. O is taller than practically everyone there, with the exception of Joe Biden. I remember when I saw her speak during the '08 election she was taller than some of her Secret Service detail. She wore an ivory turtleneck, camel circle skirt and beautiful chocolate brown suede boots. She spoke for an hour without notes and was just AMAZING.
Wow! This is Mrs. O's first legislative achievement! She lobbied from within for the inclusion of the benefits for military spouses. Kudos. That just makes this ensemble shine even brighter.
TEN!
I'm very divided on this dress. I like the bow but I dislike the different textures--one which looks like silk, the other like wool. That gives it a dated very late 1960s early 1970s Mrs. Brady kind of look. From afar, though the dress looks great, especially with the red pumps. The video at WH.gov makes the dress look great, but seeing the details here highlights the Mrs. Brady aspect to the dress. I have to give it to Mrs. Obama, though, she always surprises and experiments and I will always give her props for that.
So Mrs. T. is this the same outfit? In a YouTube video posted on theobamadiary.com, the outfit looked totally pink. click here to see the video of Flotus as she spoke to students at the White house earlier today.
It looks like the same outfit but with a bow added when she spoke to the students. If it is, I like it much better where it appears to be all pink.
@Vivienne, same outfit I presume. The coloring may appear different due to the lighting? I agree it's a bit odd! Hmm, I'm not sure which coloring is distorted though.
I like it, I like it alot!
I like it too! I get the Mrs. Brady reference, but I think the pink and red looks so fresh and of the moment.
Michelle Obama has done it again. She stands out in the dowdy fashion sense of Washington's politician. The ensemble is conservative, yet classy and stylish. She also looks comfortable and graceful in the pictures Thank you Mrs. O for your empathetic attitude towards military veterans and their families. God bless all your efforts.
P.S. Mrs.T liked your description of Dr. Biden's outfit, especially the phrase "adorned with a floral brooch". It a brought smile to my face for some strange reason. I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. :)
WOW, I really like this dress. The colors are daring yet classy. I'm honestly lost for words.
Dr. Jill Bidens look is classy as well. 2 thumbs up!!
Lovely colour on the first lady but like willet784, the different textures are throwing me but I guess it's the fact that the first lady always strives to be unique and different that I admire her so much.
I much prefer Dr. Biden's suit with its beautiful pin. Safe, maybe, but very classy and classic.
Even though Patty Murray is my senator and I adore her, I cannot stand the way she dresses. Get some help, dear Patty.
I also like it, but could someone explain the Mrs Brady reference, please? Confused this side of the pond. Thank you!
The Mrs. Brady reference is to the mother in the TV show "The Brady Bunch".
It was the style of dress worn by women in the era the TV show was shot.
I love the dress Mrs. O is wearing; the bow was "playful" while speaking to the students about Country Music; the dress without the bow was more "executive" for the signing of the Veterans Jobs Bill; classy indeed.
Dr. Biden's suit is a bit unique; there seems to be layering either under the jacket or on the skirt. I wish I can see a better picture of it; anyhoo it's lovely.
Thanks, @ Ann, for the explanation!
Wow, love the combination of colors and textures, etc. I would wear this as a coat, too. Any designer details on Dr. Biden's suit? It would be a perfect fit for an event I have to attend in December.
I like the style of the dress, although it does have that '70's vibe. (Having lived through the '70's, it was not a great time for fashion.) In the pictures where it appears all one color, the fabric details really stand out, and it is a very attractive dress. In the pictures where it appears two colors, the red and pink seem distracting. Would really like to know the designer!
I really appreciate the work and effort she makes to recognize and help the veterans of this country.
I'm not a big fan of this outfit, but she is still a great First Lady.
@ Ms. T,
Will you be able to post some pictures from last night's Country Music at the White House? I would love a different view of the pink outfit Mrs. O wore.
For those interested, the show airs tonight on PBS Stations.
SoccerNana, I think it's tomorrow at 8pm EST. You might want to check and see.
And Mrs. O suit was PRETTY and PINK!! You can see a clip on theobamadiary.com. Mrs. O likes to partay!(in my Beyonce voice)LOL!
Updated Retro. Paired with red heels, this is a color POP for fall.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!
OMG, I'm verklempt! Who said things that don't go together CAN'T go together? A++++++!
First of all, happy thanksgiving to the first family and Mrs. O family :-)
@Coutoure, actually this isn't Mrs. O's first legislative achievement. There's the Child Nutrition Bill too. Mrs. T, did the First Lady add a bow to this dress for the Country music event?
@ Nyon, I had the wrong day! The show came on Wednesday, November 23 in my area. Thanks for looking out!
Anyone seen the West Wing Week video that includes a clip from this event at the very very end... ? Mrs O is very VERY funny!!!
It's the last ten or twenty seconds....
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2011/11/24/west-wing-week-112411-or-your-best-you
When I was a little girl, Jackie Kennedy combined pink and orange in pants and a top. The press went wild. People villified her for such an "outlandish", "loud", "inappropriate" and "distasteful" combination. Not only that, but she was sleeveless, something that simply was not done during the day at that time. Could we actually be making progress?