Coming Up Coral
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 2:30 PM 
Image by Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Images
Today marks the launch of Joining Forces, a new national initiative spearheaded by Mrs. O and Dr. B to support and honor U.S. service members and their families. Both ladies were on hand to launch the initiative, dressed in brightly hued Spring suits. And, hooray, it seems this isn't the last we'll see of this dynamic duo in coming weeks.
“We’re hitting the road. Yes, Michelle and Jill on a road trip,” Mrs. Obama said from the East Room of the White House, “I think Jill is going to drive. We’re going to be traveling throughout the country, celebrating the service of military families and the communities, and nonprofits and businesses and folks who support those families every day.”
Update: Mrs. O wears a melon doubleface stretch wool crepe sheath dress and one button blazer, both by Michael Kors. If the look is familiar, I believe it's this dress, seen last April. Prior to the event, Mrs. O paired the Michael Kors dress with an embroidered cardigan by L'Wren Scott, seen below.
"Michelle Obama, Jill Biden to lead effort to help military families" [Washington Post]
"The Force Behind the Force" [ABC News]
Image by Evan Vucci / AP Images
L'Wren Scott, Michael Kors
Reader Comments (53)
Love the colour - but I am not sure about the fit.
Beautiful! I love how MRSO is coordinated with Dr. Biden. Very classic look.
Nice looking couples. Mrs. O looks chic..loving the soft colour on her.
She seems to be following a similar game plan for this as she did for Let's Move: partner with a ton of other people and groups. That's why she is so effective.
She and Jill interviewed with Entertainment Tonight and it will air April 12 and 13. A clip is on their website:
http://www.etonline.com/news/109666_First_Lady_Michelle_Obama_Ready_to_Campaign_For_President_Obama_We_re_Gonna_Be_Out_There/
They also made a video promoting this which, according to Politico is playing on AOL. White House live has the video and I expect will later have the video of this event:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live
I notice the not all of the above link to Entertainment Tonight shows. If after you cut and paste, you can type the rest of it or cut and paste the following and add it. My browser gives a choice of the whole link.
nna_Be_Out_There/
Jill looks great, Michelle not so much. The color of her suit is rather blah, and the fabric looks like a cheap polyester, though I suppose that could be the lighting. I will forgive the way the jacket is pulling, as that's likely attributable to her pose, but she ought to have thought about unbuttoning the jacket to avoid that problem. And shiny gold shoes are a bit much for daytime wear.
I love this look. Very spring time.
Love that color on Mrs. O ... and Dr. Biden always looks so nice. I also love that they are really doing such good works.
Our Leaders and their wives look great!
As usual Michelle is the "arm-candy" of the President and Jill is the "arm-candy" of the Vice-President.
I don't agree with Hyde Parker. I don't often comment on fashion, but I have complaints about Jill. Her skirts are always terribly short and not always comely because of that. Hers is a cute suit, but it wrinkles which makes for a bad public photo. Otherwise, she was fine.
I watched the event and thought Michelle's suit was lovely and apt for the event. Hers is a more mature look than Jill's which will not make a lot of people on here happy.
Now you see why I clamor for Mrs. O to wear a suit on many of the occasions where she has done otherwise? How exquisite does the woman look in that SUPERB suit!!! Fit: Check; Cut: Check; Length: Check; Color; Check, check, and check. Even Mr. O is grinning a little broader because his FLOTUS looks so good.
I agree that Jill Biden's skirts are usually too short. She is very petite and fit - looks much, much younger than her age - but those knees just kill the look. She should go for polished rather than cute, and wear a slightly longer skirt.
She should also resist anyone who tries to get her to link arms or do arms around the waist. She is short, so she ends up looking as though she is on the rack or something, and it pulls her clothes all of shape, hence the wrinkles. A pleasant pose with arms at sides would serve her well.
Michelle's jacket-dress ensemble looks fine. The jacket is pulling too tight at that button. And the coral or apricot or peach (depending on the photo) is not the best with Jill Biden's bright red, but I doubt that anyone noticed.
lol... @ Sharon Nelson....totally get where you're coming from.
Michelle's suit is very pretty, in my opinion. The word that comes to my mind is "feminine." The color, the fit, it's very nice. I truly believe that anyone who finds her suit objectionable is looking very hard - too hard - to criticize.
It's interesting that Mrs. O. chose to change tops from the coral sweater she has on in this photo (which, to me, is closer to her look) into the suit jacket: http://www.daylife.com/photo/0aLP8kP2kUeq4?__site=daylife&q=michelle+obama (Since Dr. B. is in the photo wearing the same thing as in the picture above, it seems safe to say that it was shortly before/after the official photo.) I would have voted to keep the sweater, or add a statement necklace to the jacket. But I still think Mrs. O. can do no wrong, fashion-wise or otherwise! :)
With IVA @Hyde Parker
I actually love the color of the suit personally and thought that Mrs. O and Mrs. B look wonderful together. About Mrs. O's shoes--early on because of this website I fell in love with the metallic pumps that Mrs. O wears in the daytime that can serve as a sort of pick-me-up neutral so I bought a pair and have worn them to death. I just think those dark metallic shoes are a perfect pick to go with that dress and jacket. My impression from the pictures here and on Obamadiary (where there are lots of pictures) was that the dress is silk. Mrs. T will find out who designed in what fabric for us but I highly doubt that Mrs. O is wearing the twins Polly and Esther.
I am with IVA and Sharon. What really struck me about MO's outfit is the complete lack of accessories. She's probably wearing earrings, but no necklace or bangles?? Definitely a first!
I think they both look great. Notice how their husbands' ties coordinate-the President's is more muted and the Vice President's is more vibrant-which go along well with the women's suits' colors.
Yay for the splashes of spring color among the (dark) suits! Each suit complements its lady well.
Lovely looking suit on Mrs O. HP give us a break. Dr. Biden looks fabulous as well although I agree that her skirts seem a little short for my tastes but she's got great legs.
Dr. Biden always wears very sexy shoes. I like that both women break the rules of the past. They both look great here.
Love Mrs. Obama's look, beautiful spring color and as always, so appropriate for the occasion...they all look so happy...side/note Dr. Biden's skirts are always a little too short for her age and leg structure...again, God bless our First Lady, God bless the First Family and God bless America.
I like the suit a lot. I think very appropriate and delicate. But she is not wearing accessories which is what is very different.
Have not posted in a while but I had to today. Only to say that I believe sometimes comments are made to get a reaction.
This is absolutely fabulous! Love both couples. Both ladies are fab. I am so thrilled Mrs. O has chosen to wear a suit. It is so polished and the color is spectacular. She wears this like a second skin. And, we all know that coral is on trend for spring. I had grown tired of the sleeveless looks. While fashionable, it began to look a little too much like a uniform, much like the sleevless shirt Richard Simmons wears with his shorts in excercise videos.(LOL) I would love for her to continue with it just not so much. Sleeves are a good thing even when you have fab arms. Rock on Mrs. O! Obama 2012!
Can someone please by the FLOTUS some new shoes? How many times must she wear those pointy toed Jimmy Choo's? Look at the SLOTUS, she changes it up. Go Jill.
I like how each woman stays true to their very own fashion sense. Jill Biden loves her funky shoes (that's a good funky) and I like seeing her wear them. Well it goes without saying that our Michelle is her own woman also. As she says, "wear what you love". It takes confidence to do that on an international stage and our FLOTUS and SLOTUS does it very well!
Great looks for both!
Looks so Calvin Klein Collection to me. Reminds me of the texture and colour of Claire Danes' minimalist gown at the Golden Globes and Mrs. O's Mexican State Arrival dress.
Love this picture and both women look beautiful. I watched this event and all four spoke well. Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden are going on a road trip, so we are in for some good pics, YAY!
BTW, some people are so....................
Mrs. O. and Dr. B. both look fabulous here! Very springy, wonderful colors. Just wish Mrs. O. had added one of her great brooches to her lapel.
I like the colors of both their suits...they are in the same color family. As far as the no accessories for Mrs. O, I think sometimes a pretty smile can be your best accessory.
Dr Biden will turn 60 in June - SIXTY !!!! I am surrounded by women in my office who are young enough to be her daughter and they do not look as slim, happy and healthy as the SLOTUS. The woman is on FIRE. I hear she runs every day and it shows. There is nothing wrong with her knees, in fact she has amazing legs. The length of her skirt is fine for a woman of her age.
Come on people, let's all be grateful that we are FREE to wear what we want when we want unlike many women on the other side of the world who aren't so privileged and are often attacked or killed if they attempt to challenge the norms or culture of their country.
As for FLOTUS, she always brightens my day, regardless of what she is wearing. Both women (accessorised by their powerful husbands!!!) do America proud.
Love the picture all around. Everyone looks bright, happy & healthy. I have often thought that Dr. Jill's skirts were too short but now I'm not so sure. It really does look good on her and she wears them well, so I'm saying keep on keepin' on. FLOTUS w/o accessories!?! Now, that IS a first! But I get it: this is an initiative for military families which is not the most "glamorous" profile. Their outfits are expressing empathy for the military families' plight ... not a fashion shoot. All in all - well done by all.
Dr. Biden has normal patella development for a woman of her age and activity level. Joints really should not be subject to discussion about external aesthetics. Joint function is what serves us, not its external beauty.
If they are beautiful looking on radiographs and their owner is fit and mobile and pain free, that's all the "looks good" you need in a knee.
Love how very relaxed and happy all look in this photo.
I have never been a fan of Mrs. O in suits. They are simply not flattering on her. BUT this one, I LOVE. Not only does it fit her perfectly, but the color looks marvelous on her! And how about Dr. B, doesn't she look fantastic!
Mrs. T I cant believe that under Mrs. O jacket is the same dress from last April (your link from above)
I definitely like the way the dress is styled for this event ...with a jacket. Someone said they were tired of seeing the metallic shoes....hey, I think it proves how much mileage you can get from shoes or other accessories....she has gotten her money's worth out of those shoes!
really like Mrs.O's suit - she looks terrific.
the photo seems to tell a wonderful story about the good friendship between all four people.
I also disagree with Hyde Parkers' post ... I don't see "blah" and certainly don't see "cheap"
Jill Biden is an inspiration to me personally. Whenever I need motivation for running I remind myself that I want to be like her when I am her age and I have to work for it now. She is a good role model.
Please give us info on Jill Biden's clothes too. Especially if we are going to be seeing a lot of this dynamic duo on their road trip.
Thanks Mrs. T for posting the second photo! The sweater is fabulous and she is wearing some accessories....earrings. Peach/apricot really is her color. GORGEOUS!
Oh Mrs. O
Maybe it’s because I hail from a climate with no spring. Maybe it’s because I grew up with a holiday celebrating gefilte fish rather than jelly-beans. Either way, year after year I find myself shrinking in dismay as retailers put forth their collections of clothing in a palette of pastels no thinking woman should ever wear.
So it was with a failing heart that I checked into my favorite website, Mrs-O.org, to see what my hero is sporting these days, only to discover she’s succumbed to the allure of fruit flavored clothing. “Mrs. O wears a melon, doubleface stretch wool crepe sheathdress and one button blazer, both by Michael Kors.” Heavy sigh of despair follows. Alas.
No one above the age of consent should wear anything described as melon to work. In fact, I’d go so far as to rule out most of the colors found in the produce department: cherry, banana, kiwi, carrot: these make delicious lunches and disastrous blouses.
It shouldn’t stop there. The palette cleansing needs to extend to the ice cream parlour. Adult women need to put their collective well-heeled feet down and say no to wearing anything suggesting sherbet. Mango and raspberry have no place in our closets.
Don’t misunderstand me. I do understand there’s more to wear than just black and white and gray. There’s blue. And dark green. And I can see the occasional merit to, say, um, two shades of blue. But just because the calendar says spring is around the corner doesn’t mean I have to dress like I’m on a seasonal menu.
Does this make me a clothing curmudgeon? Lots of women think nothing perks up a pair of black pants better than a jaunty jacket bursting with color. My mother, bless her southern-born soul, has a soft spot for citrus. Walking into her closet filled with orange and lime green (in cotton, wool, cashmere, and linen) might just supply you with a year’s worth of vitamin C. No fashion scurvy for her.
My closet, on the other hand, is wilted and funeral ready. I’m not necessarily proud of this, but I can say, with complete candor, that I think more clearly and take myself more seriously when I’m wearing clothes that show no hint of mint, sprigs or gardens.
The feminist in me cries out, “People should wear whatever they want.” Who am I to condemn those who want to wear festive fruit flavors? After all, it seems ill conceived to take our fashion cues exclusively from the Supreme Court wardrobe, right?
Would I feel differently if our landscape were ablaze in color rather than its current state of mid-spring mud? Maybe. But I don’t see Michael Kors, proud designer of our First Lady’s melon sheath, showing up on “Project Runway” in anything other than black, black, and black. Maybe I should call him Justice Kors?
Still, there’s no justice in dressing to match your melon. I’m just saying.
-Sally Higginson
co-host, “Walking on Air with Betsy and Sal”
www.walkingonair.org
Both ladies look wonderful. I don't think Michelle can win with some people because if she bought out a new pair of shoes every day we would not hear the end of it from some circles. The fact is you can get a good bit of mileage out of an expensive pair of shoes if you chose them wisely. Mrs O chose wisely.
I like the suits, but I think both women need more jewelry. They look "unfinished."
The President's wife is actually wearing an age-appropriate, classic style that makes her look like she knows how to dress for the occasion. Darker shoes would have been a better choice with that outfit but at least her arms and knees are covered and there is no under-the-bust wide belt to distract from the clothes. While the shoes are marginally OK, the posed feet look kind of weird. Finally, it seems that she is learning that she's not a teeny-bopper nor is she a fashion icon, so she should wear comfortable but stylish clothes that don't distract from the message she is trying to project.
the peach suit is beautiful on her. She looks so fresh and ready for Spring. Great color on her skin. Dr. Biden looking fab as well. I love these two women.
Are you okay, Sally ?
I love the cardi, does anyone know the name of the designer ?
love this suit on Mrs. Obama, wish she will wear more of these tailored suit, she looks amazing. The coral spring color goes nicely against her complexion.
Although I can't take the orange overload, or the overstrain on that one button of Mrs. O's jacket (and its mundane top-stitching), or the ''off''-looking shoes of either one, I still believe their genuine caring and support for military families is the most important thing. Much more upsetting than an outfit miscue is remembering how much suffering these wars cause for people everywhere. I appreciate what they're doing to keep this issue out there, but it's the husbands in the picture who can make the policies to end the wars, no?
Sally i hope soon summer will come for you....
Love the spring colors :) on both ladies.
Tom and Lorenzo gave Mrs. O a nice thumbs up on this outfit on their blog. And I think the cardigan is just beautiful.
Nice bit of advertising for your own blog, Sally, but I doubt you will get many takers. A little too disingenuous.