Thursday
May122011
Blue Belle
Thursday, May 12, 2011 at 9:18 AM 
Images by Carolyn Kaster / AP Photos, Jason Reed / Reuters
The President and First Lady hosted a celebration of American poetry and prose at the White House last evening. For the event, Mrs. O donned a vibrant blue tunic and pants. Any thoughts on the designer? My guess would be Isabel Toledo, as the ensemble harkens past Mrs. O x Isabel Toledo numbers, seen here and here.
Update: I've confirmed that Mrs. O wears a peacock blue jersey tunic and cocktail pants by Isabel Toledo. What a wonderful choice for this event!
tagged Isabel Toledo
Isabel Toledo
Reader Comments (31)
The dress appears to be much darker than in the photo posted. More a vibrant peacock blue than turquoise.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0asj7sKepvaNW?__site=daylife
Liked the pink top and embellished skirt much better - especially for evening.
I love that shade of "blue/turquoise/?".
I wonder if this is the same designer of the black dress Mrs. O wore in their last family portrait.
I'm guessing Isabel Toledo.
See
http://www.couturelab.com/products/Sleeveless_Burgundy_Cigar_Twist_Gown-2879-c375.html
She looks gorgeous as ever!
Azzedine Alaïa would be my guess. Something about it reminds me of the dress she wore to the banquet in Oslo, Norway for the Nobel Peace Prize.
This is a wierd, old-fashioned, unflattering dress.
Check out obamadiary.com--I was surprised to see this looks like a tunic top over flowy pants. Much more impressive than if was just a dress.Love the color, and as always, she DOES know how to stand out in a crowd.
What It Takes To Dress Michelle Obama: An Interview With Barbara Tfank
http://blogs.forbes.com/bluecarreon/2011/05/12/what-it-takes-to-dress-michelle-obama/?utm_source=allactivity&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=20110512
if it is a tunic and pants as you say, then it looks like a fancy, but ill fitting pair of pajamas. this is a definite miss.
That looks very flowing and lovely, I like it. Nice spring colours.
Temperley did a lot of that gathering a couple of years back but I'm pretty sure that all hers were antique pink picked out in black so it's a similar design, but I don't think this outfit is hers.
Beautiful. One of my favorite colors. Very flattering.
This is not her best look.
The dress seems a litttle to night-gown for my taste.
I don't think the gathers at the waist are flattering and neither are the halter like details around the shoulders and bust. But it does look comfortable.
I love the fabric, the fit and how it also manages to flow on her. Nicely done...the color suit her too. With this particular outfit, I feel a sense of comfort...it's poetry and prose time, not a formal occasion. The outfit is very appropriate.
I LIKE IT!
I must agree with river rush. It appears to cut under the arms. I see this as a negligee look belonging on Doris Day in a 1950's movie.
Like the color, hate the look.
The fiit is very unflattering and messy.
Gathered waists and babydoll-ish styles are not for every body type.
Why aren't my posts showing up?
LOVELY!
Like the color and the style. Hey, it's a poetry reading, she should be wearing something a little different! A stiff dress or suit just would not be as wonderful as these beautifully flowing clothes.
I just find the shirring on the tunic FASCINATING! You said it best Mrs T., "What a wonderful choice for this event!"
Like the idea- don't love the execution on her though. Love her for always trying to do something different! If she didn't, we wouldn't all come back every week to see what she's wearing
Not my favorite look. However, I love the color on her and the sort of Greek-goddess effect of the tunic top.
Sorry, two thumbs down. The President doesn't look too excited about it either.
River Rush, Thumper, I am joining you on your thoughts on this outfit...I kept thinking I Dream of Jeanie when I saw it ....I dig the color though.
I agree with previous posters. This looks like a negligee. The idea of a flowing comfortable outfit for the poetry event is great but this doesn't look nice on Mrs. O.
Co-signing with River Rush, Thumper and Adear: Lovely color on FLOTUS--reminds me of her DNC dress in 2008, but very mermaid-esque and unflattering. I get that she is going for comfort as she usually does for informal events like this but it is too pajama-esque. I totally agree,though, that Mrs. O always makes good fashion watching because she is adventurous.
I'm with the crowd that's not lovin' this one. The color is great. The texture of the fabric is fine. Flowing pajama things aren't out of place with a poetry event either. But the whole thing is just--meh.
Adding to the rest of the comments made about the details that don't work, I'd like to point out that women with glorious shoulders like MO's often don't carry off a raglan-line sleeve very well. Here's a prime example. Same thing with cap sleeves. They must work with the lines already present in shoulders, collar bone, neck and chin. These little clam shell bits don't flatter MO's natural assets.
Then again, what it does for her bust-line should give the pregnancy rumour-mongers something to buzz about. Wait for it...!
who cares about what you people are feeling and referring to not a good look or definitely a miss. damn you all. rock on Michelle. rock on. i am surprised that none of you commented on the commencement gown worn by mrs obama during her speech at spelman college. it tickles me, with the "i am not feeling this". who gives a damn. she is a modern first lady and she has set the tone and will certainly go down in history for doing so.
now, feel this.
@whatever, why are you posting here exactly?
I have to agree that the color is OK but the execution leaves something to be desired. Not her best look by a long shot.
When prejudice starts talking, the form of address always begins with "you people". Mrs. O is a discussion forum in which people talk about the fashion and style of Michelle Obama.Who cares? and Who gives a damn? We readers do.
Whether we like or dislike a particular look MO chooses has nothing to do with our respect for MO--or each other. I would suggest that damn-you dialog doesn't belong in our space. There are boundaries.
@philly, well said.