Monday
May092011
Let's Move in Gaultier
Monday, May 9, 2011 at 5:24 PM 
Photos by Chuck Kennedy / White House and Chris Kleponis / Getty Images
Mrs. O was back on her Let's Move mission today, hosting a series of fitness demonstrations on the White House lawn, joined by 80 children and their parents. Leading the activities were select U.S. athletes, such as former U.S. Olympic gymnast, Dominique Dawes.
Mrs. O certainly knows how to work out in style. The First Lady paired a Jean Paul Gaultier top with cropped black pants for the event.
"First lady Michelle Obama hosts wellness and fitness demonstrations with celebrity athletes" [Washington Post]
tagged Jean Paul Gaultier
Jean Paul Gaultier
Reader Comments (45)
Love!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, but just not how I envision the FLOTUS.
I love our First Lady very much, but please tell me that her right forearm has been Photoshopped in that second picture. It looks horrifying.
Mrs. O can I have those bracelets please?
Thank You :)
The playful mix of patterns on the blouse is wonderful! Love it. I also am lovin' the mix of ethnic braclets.
Go Mrs O with your "baaaaaaaaaaad self":)
She looks wonderful. Love the whole outfit.
I like Mrs. O's choice for an outfit. It shows off her great body and gives nice musculature a good name. For most of us, that's work. It's a good message to leave with kids.
Wow! We've never had a First Lady like this. I love it!
Very much encouraged to restart my fitness routine. Thanks Michele O.
Wow, not only does Mrs O 'talk the talk', she knows how to look good when she 'walks the walk' - what an inspiration and a wonderful example of how to look and feel great. I love the mixed print of the Jean Paul Gaultier top and crop black pants are a staple in my wardrobe. I think they're much classier than tights or leggings. Mrs O certainly looks good in hers!
Wow. she is so active. LOVE HER!! Now here's a treat. Mrs O is featured on the May/June 2011 issue of ARRIVE, the Amtrak Acela train magazine. Enjoy! Any ideas on the designer?
A large woman who is very fit, beautiful, and comfortable in her body equals an admirable combination. The next step in comfort with who she is, it seems to me, would be to let her hair go natural. I'd love to see that!
Mrs. O's dress for ARRIVE looks like the one she wore for the September 2010 cover of Ladies Home Journal
http://knockedupcelebs.com/2010/08/07/michelle-obama-covers-ladies-home-journal/
Slow down, Mrs. O., you're "killin'" me! Your fashion, your fitness, your physique! You have completely redifined--in a way that I didn't think was possible--the role of First Lady. And I'm oh-so grateful.
P.S. I apologize for gushing, for such effusive praise, but the iconography of Michelle Obama (in many ways) is so powerful, overwhelming, even. And I just had a "O" moment.
P.P.S. @Strong Foru: We never have...and dare I say it: It's unlikely we ever will again--for a loooong time.
I'm slightly envious of the fact that no British political wife does half as much as the first lady, that said I struggle to understand why she comes in for so much stick. I love this look, the outfit and the fact that she genuinely appears to be having fun. Just a couple of more weeks before they arrive on these shores - can't wait.
Mrs. O looks good - as usual. Jestina, I always enjoy your contributions to this blog, and I'm with you in anticipating the forthcoming state visit to Britain. It will be interesting to see what projects Samantha Cameron invites Mrs. O to share. But please don't be envious that our political wives don't visibly follow her example. For all that our two countries share, there are lots of differences. Mrs. O has to fulfil elements of both roles currently inhabited by Mrs. Cameron and the Queen, and she does it in her own exuberently American way. Mrs. Cameron would doubtless attract quite a bit of negative press if she followed suit. I admire Mrs. O immensely and think she is a great role model for the young (not to mention the not-so-young). But let's enjoy those differences rather than regretting them.
Let's also hope that the good weather returns for the state visit - or perhaps the sun is still shining in London?
These pictures are wonderful -- and for more "action" shots, check on theobamadiary.com. Go Mrs. O!
Very well said English Observer! As a Brit I know that former/current PM spouses have had their own projects and charitable causes which have been appreciated; Sarah Brown for one. However, they don't attract the same level of media coverage as Mrs Obama as they don't hold the position of first lady. That position is held by the Queen, who at 80+ still has a very busy official calender. And I agree, if they tried to style themselves as first ladies, they would probably be torn to pieces by the media and accused of being pushy wannabe royals. In the words of English Observer; "let's enjoy those differences rather than regretting them".
Re Mrs O's outfit; Very flattering! I especially love the JPG top!
Quintessential Mrs. O with the vivid colors, mixed prints and bracelets all enhancing her very fit form!
I'm interested in the neckline -- would you call it a dropped cowl? -- which is similar to the royal bridesmaid's dress. Is this a new trend?
I'm not really sure why she chooses to sweat in expensive designer clothing. There's a lot a cute, real exercise togs available for purchase. I'm sure she owns some. This makes her look kind of silly, really.
I am speechless sometimes when I see out First Lady. Very remarkable. I'm sure other future First Ladies will put their own stamp on the position but Mrs O has made her place in the history books for more reasons than the obvious. It's good to be alive at this point in history.
@Ilsam, I think the photo is from the same Home Journal photo shoot. Notice everything's the same in the 'Arrive' photo, not just the dress (her hairstyle, earrings, makeup...).
Dear Mrs. T, it's been a while since I've posted here (although I do check the blog regularly), so I might have missed it, but were you having a problem with spam? Just wondering why the added step of confirming our posts.
Thank you!
I usually don't comment on other people's comments, but I really feel that you need
to check yourself on this one, Thumper! The First Lady is NOT a large woman.
I have been lucky to meet her on her two occasions, and she is positively model-like.
Last time I heard she wears a size 6. To refer to her as large is just wrong on so
many levels. And yes, Heidi, Mrs. Obama practices what she preaches. Maybe if
more mothers and first ladies would do what she does, and if more people were not inappropriately offended by it, we wouldn't have as much of an obesity problem as
we do in this country.
I applaud Mrs. Obama for working it and for looking beautiful as she does it:)
Peace and Love.
I've never posted here before but I'm an avid follower. I would just like know how does "Heidi" envision a FLOTUS?
Mrs. T, I just wanted to thank you for doing such an awesome job with this blog. Thanks for taking your time to keep us fans informed on Mrs. O's fashions.
Lisa H, agreed. Though clearly athletic, she is quite slender in person. And though I think she is very photogenic, she is much, much more beautiful than in photos. Her skin, her height, her warmth and affability, her clothing and make-up all contribute to a radiance that is very stunning.
Another great action photo of Mrs. O at this event -- I find her stunning!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/may-2011-photo-day
Lisa H
While Mrs. O may not be "large," there is no way on earth she is a size 6, if only becuase of her height and her lower-body curves. She never proclaimed to be a size 6 and it miight not be right to project our own insecurities onto her. That being said, she looks lovely, although her forearms look unusually thin in some of the pictures.
I appreciate how our Michelle shows people that exercise can be fun, it seems to be fun to her. It's best to teach a healthy lifestyle to young ones rather wait until later in life when it's all about breaking unhealthy eating habits and lifestyles. And to look good while doing it, well that's just a bonus. This FLOTUS leads by example!
LisaM, Wow, it not only looks like the ARRIVE cover is the same dress Mrs O wore for the LHJ cover, it looks like the same photo shoot! LOL
Heidi, Mrs O is unlike any first lady I've ever envisioned. And I am not in the least bit sorry!
Thumper, GIRRRRRRL, if she rolled out with natural hair, there are some folk who would die, just DIE, right on the spot! I loved it when Malia would wear twists or braids, but since she's growing up, she wants to look like her mommy and who could blame her for that. I can still wish, though, for Mrs O with a natural updo, or two-strand twists (What about a short afro or locs? woooo hoooo!! let me stop...LOLOLOL)
Great photos -love the top!
@Lily....First Ladys don't sweat they perspire.
And, if you could choose between being photographed in JPG versus something called "Toggs" ??? really, Toggs?? Maybe she should wear some Crocks too.
Dear Thumper et al,
As someone who has worn a natural hairstyle since 1969, please be realistic about the hair.
This nation is not ready for a natural in the White House!
(Look at Mrs. Obama's youthful pictures when she did wear a natural.)
Trust me, she is doing this for the sanity of the nation!
:)
Lisa H. The last you heard she was a size 6? Yeah maybe when she was a teenager. Look, I love to look at the clothes she wears and I think she pulls off a good "look" about 50% of the time. I don't agree with her or her husbands politics, but I can put that aside because I love fashion. Some of you truly need to get a grip. For what it's worth, I think she looks great here.
You know, I love this site and love Mrs O but today was the first time where I thought "Maybe we shouldn't know how much something costs."
Obviously that would mean not knowing the designer too which is crazy.
But interestingly enough when I saw just the picture I thought "Great top. Very interesting and unique. Maybe I'd wear something more sports-related but hey she has to get her picture taken and I don't."
Then I saw the designer and immediately thought "Woah. Even if she got that for free (which is didn't) that's crazy to wear such an expensive top while exercising, even light exercising."
While sure she can spend whatever amount of money she wants on clothes, the perception that she wore a very expensive top to exercise while most can't afford it at all is interesting.
With fashion, we use it to have fun and we use it to send a message. When we know the price or designer of an item and it doesn't match up with the event, well, I just wonder if it does more harm than good to be told the price during events like this.
We should admire Mrs O for the way she puts together an outfit and not be distracted by whether or not it was too expensive.
(Not that everyone thinks this way, of course).
Keep moving Mrs. O! You are great!
Peace
Mrs. O IS large. "Large" is not a pejorative.
Photos up at The Obama Diary of the first lady at the student poetry workshop this afternoon (Poetry & Prose performance tonight 7 pm EDT). The pencil skirt is amazing! Pink background with an amazing print that looks to have a Japanese/Indian influence, highlighted with sequins. Once again, Mrs. O comes out with something unexpected. Wonder what she'll wear tonight
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/05/11/poetry/
The First lady is a remarkable woman, and she has complemented her husband's role as President quite well. However, I disapprove of the way she is sometimes inappropriately dressed. She tends to reveal too much flesh during public events. A recent example is the DVF dress she wore when answering questions from school kids. Too revealing! Remember all things are lawful but not all things are expedient.
@Heidi are you still talkng about this particular photo? Anyways I think there are times the action speaks louder than the cothes, this being one of them. The First Lady has taken on military families and childhood obesity as her primary causes .From the above pics, she's clearly practising what she's been preaching all along! Oh and judging from the material of her cropped pants, I believe they are meant for sports, I have something similar. Some of the other moms are wearing similar styles too. Maybe her choice of top was because she wanted something versatile perhaps for a meet, greet and exercise, and like someone mentioned before, she does have to be photographed! I think we should stop taking things soooo seriously and learn to chil more, dance more, laugh more.....
@river rush AMEN and well said
@Modest, just so I am clear; Are you saying that for a fitness/exercise demonstration, in the photos above that she is revealing too much flesh?
Heidi and xtrapet are obviously here to take pot shots at the first lady, so let's just ignore the trolls. If they don't get fed, they go away.
Nice to see Mrs O pulling off YET another top outfit and demonstrating that the spouses of people in high office can do a lot, should do a lot and fail their countries when they don't do a lot.
***
As for the comments about British political wives, I think the problem with our country is the press. They need a slap and a few lawsuits to remind them that this is not their playground, they actually have a job to do and we need them to do it with a bit of integrity.
Sarah Brown did a lot of excellent work but that was never publicised and she actually asked to be ignored so that she could do her work productively. That says it all doesn't it? That she asked for the press to just write her out of the equation because she could achieve more if they left her alone. What we need, is a press that actually work to show where our work as a community needs to be directed. Instead we get Cheryl Cole being booed and cobblers about Will and Kate. It's like a revolting game the papers play with people who aren't bright enough to know that it's puppetry.
In my view, the British public are more than ready for a political wife who does more than look neat, smile and wave. I'm bored to tears by it. I didn't particularly like Cherie Blair but at least she had the gut to open her mouth and speak up and she never apologised for who she was and what she did. There's nothing wrong with that, it's the way people react that is appalling. So what that she carried on working, so what that she was in to complimentary health, so what if she bought her son a flat? It was none of our business. I wanted to know what she was doing as a political wife, how she was helping people. In a way, I think she did just by carrying on working and not apologising for it. She was basically saying "one of us has to carry on as normal and I'm not giving up my job because the Daily Mail thinks I should sit at home in floral print and smile a lot."
I don't think the British want a stuffed doll witting next to our premier, pretending to be mute. We betray ourselves daily by allowing it to continue. The day we move on from the plastic political wife (of which type Samantha Cameron is a distressing example), the better. So far I've seen her make cakes the day before the royal wedding and turn up to the wedding inappropriately dressed. *sigh*
Let's not forget - the US has only been getting used to such a physically active, forward-thinking, commitment-led First Lady for three years. Bring it on I say. Let's see Samantha actually do more than ponce about with a handbag and a pashmina. Does she think? Can she think? What does she think ABOUT? Is she actually going to use her advantages to help someone vulnerable? My money is on her remainging a dull clothes horse and not lifting a finger. Not much progress from the 50s really.... *yawn*
Believe me those kids did not know that that top was Gaultier (and most mothers probably didn't either). I wouldn't know if I didn't frequent this blog. So, I think there was no harm done by her wearing that top.
Posh, you sure know what to say about ignoring posts from the obvious.
I think the first lady looks great in what she's wearing. Why on earth should she wear dowdy exercise clothes? (If she wore form fitting ones, that would REALLY bring out the comments!) She's not in a full work out, she having fun with the kids. C'mon already!!
Mrs. O's hair in the first photograph looks wonderful -- full, healthy, luxurious. Who is her hairdresser?!