Wednesday
Mar232011
Five Days, Three Countries
Wednesday, March 23, 2011 at 8:56 PM 
Photos by Saul Loeb and Alex Wong / Getty Images
... and now the Obamas are home!
Update: In the second photo, Mrs. O wears a Rachel Roy Double Collar Luxury Trench.
tagged Rachel Roy
Rachel Roy
Reader Comments (65)
Wow! Beautiful family! I love the Rick Owens (?) top the First Lady is wearing in th efirst picture. Love her!
Hopefully, they had time for a little shopping. Maybe there is a treasure or two in their bags.
Char
there is a cute picture of Mr. President pointing to Sasha's shoes as they walk to WH
shoes are Orange Deena & Ozzy Patent Oxford by Urban Outfitters
http://littlefashionistascloset.blogspot.com/2011/03/sasha-obama-in-crewcuts-and-urban.html
I love the similar, yet contrasting styles Mrs O projects in these two photos, the belted tumic, the belted trench, from stylishly funky, too stylishly conservative. This South American foray of the first family has been fabulously fashionable, I am yet eager to know about all the designers she chose for these visits. Silly me...can't wait for the state visit to England!!!
HTTN to the top in the first photo. All that excess smocking is terrible.
What is Mrs. Obama wearing in the first photo? Who told her that a sad sack, droopy, gray top that looks like a dying pigeon looked good on her? I'm beginning to think that her staff is sabotaging Mrs. Obama.
She looks like garden gnome. That cutesy bow and the uneven capri pants are just the awful finishing touches.
Someone on her staff must be laughing in their sleeve. This is sabotage.
I love Mrs Obama's top - very summery but more importantly, what a beautiful family.
This has been a fun few days! The fashion lover in me is breathless. My favorites are the Naeem Khan in Brasil and the Jason Wu in El Salvador. I really like how she played with the color of Wu's dress with light blue heels. Classic Mrs. O. And not to mention, she charmed our southern neighbors with bright-eyed charisma. Years have passed and I am still amazed.
These are like before and after photos. The first photo is of an outfit that would not look good on any woman alive, no matter how slim. The tent-top is wearing Mrs. O. The outfit is also far too casual for almost any occasion, except perhaps for the beach. The second outfit is the after, wherein Mrs. O. looks beautiful, well put-together and totally modern. Well done!
The light gray top in the first picture is very cute but not on Mrs Obama's body type. The capri pants are too casual against what the President is wearing. The kids can wear shorts because they are kids!
Annona, you made me laugh out loud with your garden gnome comparison--very apt. It is dreadful. Thanks, stardust, for pointing us to the adorable pictures of Sasha in her little, orange shoes. She is so cute as she admires her own feet! I love the traditional trench on the First Lady. Notice the double lapels.
@Annona: Given that her attire has been universally acclaimed and documented around the world for the past week, the suggestion that someone is "sabotaging" or laughing at Mrs. Obama is clearly absurd. It's not as flattering as an evening gown or the day dresses, but she's about to get on a plane--evident if you look at the photo.
I am sorry to say that the first photo reminds me of the old FV = Fashion Victim feature that ran regularly in Vogue for decades. Candid photos of bizarrely dressed women, trying too hard to look tendy, taken on the streets of New York.
This was an official visit. He is in a suit. She should be, at the very least, in a stylish pants outfit like the yellow and white one she wore earlier on this trip.
/s/A proud member of the Appropriate Police
Some seem to believe that appropriateness, protocol and all that are fusty and old hat. Not for the wife of an American president, who should be free to do whatever she wants, whenever she wants, wearing whatever she wants.
Well, have a look. What this AP writer reports is fairly typical of what those in diplomatic circles have to deal with every day of their lives.
Royal Wedding
Don't hug the Queen, don't tweet from church
"The royal wedding guest list is an eclectic mix of European royalty, military personnel, charity workers, diplomats and friends of Prince William and fiancée Kate Middleton.
Some invitees to Westminster Abbey have been born into families that teach children to curtsy as soon as they can walk, but others may need a bit of help navigating the etiquette and protocol the day demands."
And what follows is a detailed list about what to wear, even remarking that a couple should dress complementarily:
"Couples should remember they will be seen together.
'Often you see a husband and wife who look like they are going to two different events,” says William Hanson, an expert on protocol who gives lessons around the world on proper behaviour. “One person will be in something that looks like pyjamas and the other is in black tie. You don't need to be colour co-ordinated but do think about how your outfits look together.'"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/europe/the-royal-wedding/dont-hug-the-queen-dont-tweet-from-church/article1953952/?utm_medium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm_source=Europe&utm_content=1953952
Ordinary people may not understand what the big deal about. Those who are the leaders of our country are expected to do so. If they don't, there are protocol and social secretary staffers who instruct them, protect them from embarrassment.
It's OK to express an opinion that something looks inappropriate for an occasion. That is not a criticism of the person herself.
@Anonna I know you don't like the first outfit but...it sounds like you got carried away with your description of it.
Absolutely LOVE both outfits our FLOTUS is wearing! After a whirlwind trip I can imagine I would want to be comfortable in casualwear as well. I love that Mrs. O breaks the mold and consistently steps out of the traditonal box!
I agree, the first top is too much fabric for anyone, even if you are 5'11. Can you imagine that on 5'?
The sandals look very unusual, I wonder what they are. Just too casual all around.
What I noticed is Mrs. O is without her usual party make-up and hairdo. I imagine that gets really old
to do that all day for 5 days.
Char
Interesting top, but it doesn't flatter Mrs. O. It seems more suited for a pear-shaped ("hip-py) woman--a' la Jennifer Hudson prior to her fantastic "transformation."
@Anonna, I will have to disagree with you on this one . I love the top. This is another picture of her in the outfit
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/110323/481/urn_publicid_ap_org36249b7d57b84f30b4f4f11934a14ffa
I actually like the first top a lot. But I agree that it may be a bit too casual.
Man, lighten up folks!
I swear some of you - and it's almost always the same people - are so uptight. Oh gosh, Mrs. O is wearing a lose top and capris, while her hubby is wearing a suit...quick lemme get the article I read about the protocol for Prince William's wedding to prove some point! LOL.
The first outfit, to me, seems like something I've seen many women wear if they're out and about, shopping, traveling, going to a move - when the weather is nice of course. It's definitely trendy, ya gotta be a little fearless to wear it. I find it very different and supremely Mrs. O. I envy someone so willing to take risks with her fashion and dare to be different and have fun with it all.
Haven't commented much during this trip, but have followed the fashion. I think this has been one of her best outfitted trips. I also loved how on almost all of her official meet and greets, she wore heels, and not kitten ones, but full 1-2 inch heels by my estimation. That was nice to see because while I'm a huge fan of flats, I think heels make a professional or dressy outfit look polished.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the top in the first photo. Simply made for Mrs. O and I respect those who disagree with me, but you simply don't know what looks good on who!
Is Malia as tall as her mom now? Wow! She's growing like a redroot as my mom would say.
And, I love Michelle, but that halter top thing is just not attractive, appropriate or not. (And I don't think it's particularly appropriate.)
And the survey says.......SOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! LMBO!!( the "B" is for the language police)
IVA, what you said!!
This definitely was a fashionable trip and the little O's were the CUTEST! I'm kind of sad not to have any new pics today.
BTW, don't think I can't smell it. It's all in the air, LOL ;-)
I LOVE the first outfit, especially the sunglasses.
Whew, THANK GOD that Michelle does not wear stuffy suits. Wow, I did not know that because POTUS wears suits FLOTUS should wear suits too, I did not know they had to match. Who knew!! I learn so much about what is apporiate to wear. I hope next time when FLOTUS steps out with POTUS she is matching her husband.
hilarious Mia Monte - your comments were funny.
@BeeGee, if the most powerful couple in the world has to take the time to coordinate their outfits each day, then our country is in big trouble. I would hope that there concentration is on current events and keeping the citizens of the US safe and happy. Even if the task of matching outfits is passed down to assistants, it seems a bit too trivial.
But, I do feel like outfit #1is a slight mistake, especially after making such a positive fashion statement at every stop of their 5 day journey.
this site is the first site i've come to where people did not like that first outfit. I love it!! It just rocks.
The halter top looks like she took two kitchen curtains together and sewed them together with a cute little bow. She needs to get her money back. DISASTER. If this top had some fluttery big cap sleeves it might look balanced but this is arguably one of the wost things I've ever seen her wearing! What a shame because her watch (bracelet?) and shoes look adorable. But all you see is this big ill-fitting top.
Please stop personally attacking people who comment that they don't like Mrs. O's outfit.
I swear, I think Malia grew another two inches while they were on the trip! She's certainly becoming a tall, lovely young lady, clearly following in her mother's footsteps.
But I have to admit that of all the outfits Mrs. O has worn on this trip, the loose top in the first photo is my least favorite. It's just not flattering to her body shape. Everything else has been just lovely -- she's really been a beautiful representative of our country. It's so exciting to have a beautiful First Lady to admire, who wears such a huge variety of clothes so well!
The Cut reports that Mrs. O's trenchcoat is by Rachel Roy and her bag is by Reed Krakoff
@ Nyon & Iva, it's unacanny how quickly a whiff becomes a stench in the air, isn't it? Shameful! I often wonder if FLOTUS and/or POTUS were face-to-face with these folks, would their comments be the same? They act as if our Michelle is a dilettante, a blind one at that. Imagine, not being able to select ones own clothing! So much so, you'd rely solely upon your staff to do so then hope and pray that they did not dress you funny! The very idea that an article that shows what "those in diplomatic circles have to deal with" should somehow be directed towards our Michelle is simply elitist and egregious. Yep, I can smell it too and it's not only offensive, it's disgusting!
@Astorian, I don't know anywhere but here and HuffPo that there has been "universal acclaim" for the outfits FLOTUS wore on this trip.
If you only read blogs and sites where negative comments are not allowed -- apparently like this one, where my first comment was never posted.
Let's see...Mrs. O? Will you let me play with the other kids too this time?
I agree with the assessment of Mrs. O's first outfit. When traveling with the president and he's in a coat and tie, her outfit should compliment him. The kids are free to be cazh and have fun with their outfits. I think one of her many zillion sleeveless sheaths and cute sandals would have fit the bill. But, in that pic, the president looks like he stopped by a park and picked up the wife and kids on the way home froom the office. LOL! Love them tho'! Obama 2012~
RealAmerican, your first comment must have been PURE FOOLISHNESS because there are plenty of posts here that state their dislike for Mrs. O's clothes. So, if you're spewing hate, WE don't want you here!! And I mean that.
@CID, LOL!
BTW, take "shelooksmehh" with you because apparently this poster thinks he/she is funny, but no one's laughing.
As usual, the "Mrs. O.an wear anything she wants" posters are trying to drown out the rest of us with their words. Iva, I would LOVE to know where you have seen ANYONE wearing a top like the tent Mrs. O. has on. Puhleeze! Come to think of it, it does not so much resemble a tent as it does a hunting vest on steroids.
I ardently wish that the personal attacks aimed at posters who are somewhat critical of some of the First Lady's sartorial choices would stop. How boring would this blog be if the comments were universally flattering and positive or vague and unsubstantiated ( such as " beautiful", "stunning", "I loved it") as if the blog was meant to be a modern-day reenactment of the cautionary fairy tale "The Emperor's New Clothes".Criticism shouldn't be taken personally.While there is much to be admired about Mamie Eisenhower, Eleanor Roosevelt or Roslyn Carter, it is generally agreed that they were not known for their outstanding fashion sense. We don't really know which of the First Lady's outfits are chosen entirely by her or which ones are assisted by stylists or other consultants (although we can guess) but not every look is a winner. Haven't we all had our own fashion regrets? High School photos anyone?? I personally find some of the comments amusing and would use them against myself in looking back at old photos. Hunting vest on steroids-ha!
Same bag she was sporting on March 7th.
@Christen, There is a better photo of the top here; http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/110323/481/urn_publicid_ap_org36249b7d57b84f30b4f4f11934a14ffa
I would wear it .
btw that is a really bad angle to view the top. There is a much better view of it at obamadiary.
I love the Obamas so please do not attack me but there
Are rules of etiquette and dressing. My mum is
A modern woman that lives in another country and she
Thinks MO must have lost her mind to enter air force one
Looking like this. Rules still apply - no one can wear anything
They like.
I was so taken with the double lapels on the trench that I just noticed the cuff detail -- some kind of embroidery or applique? What a nifty update of a classic style.
Both pics are beautiful....you know, even though Mrs. Obama has fashion advisers, she is still a very independent, intelligent , fashion conscious woman who makes her own decisions. So, it isn't sabotage, but her choice. God bless Mrs. Obama, God bless the First family and God bless America.
Good heavens! Mrs. O wears an unbecoming top and all of Western civilization is suddenly falling apart. Forget it! It's perfectly appropriate for deplaning, it's just that it's not the best top for her. What is all this tsking tsking about? You sound like you're 100 years old. Would you prefer that she dress like the Queen of England, who is probably one of the worst dressed women on the planet? Mrs. O makes good choices and occasional bad ones. She's not embalmed like it seems you would prefer her to be - as long as she was dressed appropriately. Maybe a statue of her would be better?
The top is definitely designer, and surely expensive, I personally think the pants are the problem.
A loose, flowing pant, in fabric similar to the top, would have looked sensational.
I am disappointed in whoever advises her though, by my count the poor woman had 16 changes of outfits in 4 days. that would be exhausting for anyone. Surely there were a few daytime outfits that could have done double duty.
I love how how Mrs. Obama mixes it up, you never know what to expect. She is cutting edge. The First Ladies of other countries, including Carla Bruni, are predictable - sheath dresses. Go Mrs. O!
Interesting perspective, Della. I'd like to see the top over flowing pants as you suggest.
@della street: I think you are right. Only if the pants were long the whole look would have been more formal. The top is trendy and not necessarily informal.