Monday
Mar212011
Blue Belle
Monday, March 21, 2011 at 7:41 PM 
Photos by Aliosha Marquez / AP Images
In Santiago, Chile, the First Family greeted Chile's President Sebastian Pinera and First Lady Cecilia Morel at the La Moneda government palace. For the event, Mrs. O wore a light blue lace dress with a fitted top and full skirt, accessorized with a signature floral pin at the shoulder.
Update: While Mrs. O's dress remains a mystery, the first lady's iris pin is Alexis Bittar.
Update (5/24): Mrs. O wears a circa 1950s Blue Ribbon Lace Dress from New York Vintage.
tagged Alexis Bittar, New York Vintage
Alexis Bittar, New York Vintage 
Reader Comments (48)
It's weird, because this dress reminds me of the dress she wore off of the plane in Brazil, I don't think it is formal enough for an arrival ceremony.
Maybe I am jaded since she changed into a suit jacket and dress for Brazil's arrival ceremony and this is what she wore for Chile's.
She looks very nice and I love her mirror silver heels (Mrs T, PLEASE do a post on her shoes, from those to the color pop flats and matching heels lol) and I guess all that matters is that she is a great ambassador for America while abroad.
Love the color, texture and cut of this dress. Malia and Sasha look beautiful and, having an 11 year old daughter, I appreciate that the Obama's encourage their style without leaving them look too grown up. Having said that, Sasha does not generally look like she is having fun in many these pictures.
Gorgeous! I love dresses with that kind of neckline on her. Really shows off her arms. And I love the color and texture of this dress.
Is this dress formal enough?
I think they all look terrific, each with their own individual style.
But OMG, the look Mrs. O wore for this evening's dinner is spectacular. Gorgeous dress, hair, necklace. Can't wait to see photos and the deets about designers.
@ Kathie, I've read that on another thread that the girls seems like they are not enjoying themselves so much, especially Sasha. This must be thrilling ang tiring at the same time and I guess it's having cameras trained on your every move also. But it seems that our Michelle knows just when to put out that gentle hand to make a connection with her girls. Check out www.obamamdiary.com and you'll see our little Sasha in her element, running free down the tarmac. Also, you can see tose same pics at
http://www.daylife.com/photo/03IU0mUfN0M8 and
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0cZK67hdeE8Vz
Also on daylife there's some pics of both of the girls with local children and they are having a good time.
Precious and priceless!
I'm with Mica; pretty dress, especially the color, but not quite enough for an arrival ceremony with full honors and military review. Mind you, I am not asking for a suit, but just tad bit more formality.
My first reaction was that this was too informal but perhaps in person the fabric is more formal that it looks in the photos.
The blue ribbon for our Blue Belle!!!!
I feel this dress is perfect for the occasion ladies, it has great lines and a wonderful pattern too. We should also take notice the Chile's First Lady Cecilia Morel is also wearing a very simple dress, plus, has anyone noticed how Mrs O's dress picks up the blue edging on the red carpet?
I feel this dress is perfect for the occasion ladies, it has great lines and a wonderful pattern too. We should also take notice the Chile's First Lady Cecilia Morel is also wearing a very simple dress, with an angled zipper running across the chest, and another smaller angled zipper on the left hip, probably along the top of a pocket. Also, she's wearing not wearing stockings, so what gives with the negative comments about Mrs O's clothes? Plus, has anyone noticed how Mrs O's dress picks up the blue edging on the red carpet? Nice little detail in my eyes.
PS...If I've double posted my apologies, I just wanted to note the details of Ms Morel's dress, since I didn't in my first posting.
Formal enough or not (point well taken), I looooove this dress on the first lady. The texture as well as the blue-purplish hues are so "Little Mermaid-ish."
I don't quite understand the debate over formal and informal. This dress is beautiful and appropriate and fits the occassion. Look at what the first lady of Chile is wearing; a simple white sheath dress. Mrs Obama looks great and I love the brooch at her shoulder. On a slightly different note, the dress is beautiful. It shade and design reminds me of the evening gown that she wore for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Mrs Obama has so far, really impressed me with her wardrobe on this trip. Every single outfit has been a clear winner for me.
I love Sasha's whole outfit and Malia's shoes are cute, are they Cath Kidston ?
I've been loving almost all her dresses on this trip, but this blue number is my absolute favorite. I want one.
Also... that Chilean First Lady looks like Hillary Clinton's long-lost sister.
I have enjoyed looking at all the fashions on this trip. I have one comment about Malia's posture in this picture especially but I have noticed in others, she does not stand up straight. Mrs Obama is guilty of this as well and it's probably because they are both so tall. If you have a choice between slumping shoulders or being a little taller, chose the latter - you will look even more beautiful!
@ Wendy - That is exactly what I thought, Hilary Clinton's twin sister !!!
i love what im seeing.
The poor kids don't look like they're having fun. The dress Lady M. is wearing is pretty but it's a miss because you don't wear a cute litttle sun dress to the welcoming ceremony.
I am noticing that more and more, readers of this site are commenting on Mrs. Obama's clothes being too informal or inappropriate. Who can equate a sun dress (whatever the fabric) and the chic white dress (yes, with sleeves) worn by Senora Morel? Our first lady looks like she's headed for a day at the beach. I am increasingly ashamed and embarrassed since she represents our country--my country--and makes us all look foolish in the face of the world.
It makes me wonder. With two degrees from prestigious Ivy League universities Mrs. Obama must be intelligent. She is either deliberately flaunting herself, or being misled, or just doesn't "get it." What a pity.
I really love that they all have their own sense of style and are not following in eachothers footsteps or are trying to match. I have noticed that Malia's style is a little bit more edgy with a hint of cute and sophisticated and Sasha's style is more classy and cute! They are turning into such beautiful women and have one of the best rolemodels, mentors, and moms in the world: Michelle Obama. With that, I not only hope that these young women remain sensable and grounded but their sense of style remains O-great!!!
I LOVE MALIA'S SHOES! ANY IDEA WHOM OR WHERE THEY MIGHT BE FROM?
My 12 year old daughter is a big fan of Malia and Sasha Obama and I have to say I am not afraid of when they come on the TV or are on the news! They are such inspiring young ladies who are really down the right road in life. Yes, their dad might be president and they probably have aecret service watching them 24/7 but they can only be children for so long then they are adults and they have to lead their own lives. Well, I know these girls are going to do great!
Hillary Clinton's twin huh? You all are right on that one! I see the similarities!
Gorgeous
I believe the pin is Alexis Bittar.
I like the print dresses Mrs. O has been wearing of late.
I think the outfit in its entirety is appropriate -- dress, shoes, hair, jewelry. And of course, Mrs. O is elegant and statuesque!
@ dlk - Are you sure that it's just the First Lady's dress that you have a problem with ??
@ Tammy Gerardi - I agree, that pin definitely looks like the work of Alexis Bittar. It's cute. I've recently invested in a few brooches and I tell you they can completely change an outfit.
@ Anna - Malia's shoes definitely look like Cath Kidston cathkidston.co.uk , but I've searched the site and can't find it. My Goddaughter is going through a floral phase and I was thinking of buying her something similar.
First Lady CM's dress has more classic lines (pantyhose or not), while the style and fit of Mrs. O's dress conveys more of a sundress feel. No need to castigate posters who feel that way; it is becuase we have seen Mrs. O wear stunning classic dresses much more in tune with a an arrival ceremony, that we know she do better.
The girls are probably just tired. They have had a great time and there have been many pictures of them smiling and laughing but if you were on a whirlwind tour of this many at their age you might get tired, too.
My friend's daughter was very tall for her age and slumped the way Malia does during her middle school years. She'll grow out of it.
the Chilean First Lady is very stylish! I love her shoes and dress with the zipper detail!
Loving Chile's First Lady's shoes!
Loving Chile's First Lady's shoes!
Hey Jestina, Steve Madden makes an oxford named Trouser that is floral, and really cute. Here in the U.S. websites like Piperlime, Zappos, 6pm and DSW carry this shoe for less than $60. Hope this helps.
On to "the embarrassingly informal sundress". Now that's funny. Wow! Really?
When was the last time any of you saw a textured lace dress with heavy lining (and probably boning that was sewn in) at the beach? What beach was that? You may not approve of the dress' color, style, cut, fit or whatever but to say that she does not know how to chose the appropiate outfit in order not to embarrass the country or herself, for that matter, is totally egregious. Once again, my invitation to The Annual Meeting of The Fashion Police must've gotten lost in the mail. It can stay lost for all I care!
Our FLOTUS looks flawless!
Thanks for the advice, Charlene. I'm off to that site right now.
Love Mrs. O's Hair in this.
'lovin the BLUE Nail polish! way to rock your own style!
If I'm not mistaken, I believe Malia's shoes are sold on urbanoutfitters.com. Check out Cooperative Floral Oxford $49.00. Also, see the orange patent leather oxford by Deena & Ozzy $38.00. I think these are the ones that Sasha wore when leaving The White House in her cute polka dot trench coat.
Happy Shopping!!!
Any idea who makes the clothes the daughters have been wearing on the trip. My daughter would love to get similar outfits.
Sleeveless (for adults) is for informal situations, weddings or evening events especially when you are the First Lady. The dress though pretty is inappropriate. The dress Misha has on is ill fitting and looks cheap. I do appreciate the girls are always dressed age appropriately! Hope that will lift the style awareness of other kids!
Sasha wears Circle Skirt by Little Marc Jacobs (last season)
http://littlefashionistascloset.blogspot.com/2011/03/sasha-obama-in-marc-jacobs.html
Of the two ladies I would say Michelle Obama is more formally dressed. Just because the dress does not have sleeves does not make it casual. All the beautiful detailing marks it as a very stylish and expensive model. I would comfortably wear that dress to a wedding in the summer. The First Lady of Chile's dress is very nice too. I would comfortably wear that to church on any Sunday.
Linda, leave those precious girls alone. They look adorable.
Mrs. O looks very regal in this dress. Very befitting a stylish First Lady. I can imagine Jacke O would have worn something like this.
I like the Spanish flavor of Mrs. Obama and Malia's dresses-the layers and the ruffly delicate material. They fit in with the Latin style.
I think this dress is by Azzedine Alaia. We'll see!
http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/page/2/
Ralph Lauren s/s 2011 maybe?? Scroll down and look at what Katie Holmes is wearing. the skirt is so similar.
My daughter forwarded these pictures of the first family. I love and admire Michelle Obama, she looks great "HER OUTFITS ARE CLASSY" she doesn't pay any attention to the constant criticism. She dresses as she sees fit. I love the stripe dress from Saks. I actually looked it up At Saks.Her kids look great and well mannered, Did notice how sophicated Sasha is? You can tell they're. loved and are well bred. .