Friday
Nov162012
Must Read Mrs. O
Friday, November 16, 2012 at 7:17 PM A few goods reads for discussion. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! xx
"First Lady Fashion Fatigue" [Daily Beast]
"White House Style Watch Expands by 2" [NY Times]
Reader Comments (24)
Both articles were great! Now we have four more years to enjoy First Lady Obama and the First Daughters as they evolve into young ladies.
I think taking notice of the Obama girls outfits at public events such as Election night and Christmas in Washington is fine. But no need to drool over their casual clothes to the point where they are actively thinking about what people will say about their wardrobe. I think it's great that that Sasha isn't so matchy matchy all the time and she doesn't seem like she obsesses over her daily clothes.
I just don't get the point that Ms. Givhan is trying to make. I find the article rather banal, writing about how banal the discussion of Mrs.O fashion has become. Perhaps some would find it more interesting if the commentary was a nasty, bitchy tirade about her height or wide hips or or tummy or her hair or her belts or her eyebrows or her lack of appropriateness or style or first ladyness or her husband. This vapid article sounded as if it was written out of boredom on the Acela from NY to DC or wherever, as if she had to get something posted before press time.
I read few blogs regularly, and now with a new year approaching, a new Presidential tenure, and re-invigorated enthusiasm in our country, I am reading less blogs regularly for the sake of knowing 'who' it is that is 'way-out there'. I don't anticipate limiting the weekly dose of watching the style of Mrs. O at this website. I really don't look for any new and innovative styles per se. I could come up with my own designs if 'new style' was the focus. Instead, I return to this site again and again because the agenda seems unaffected by whatever the current state of mind of riff-raff. It puts a positive spin on the role of our First Lady and the first Family, and blunts and soothes the often rapacious sabres thrust through the guts of our nation's representative to the world. One can only suffer a limited number of stabbings before red blood becomes a scarcity, and this blogsite tends to keep the disequilibrium of politicizing to a minimum. Besides, I like to look at nice color photos of these lovely people. Mrs. O is neither brash, deliberately unkind, insipid, nor stupid. She is attractive, extremely intelligent, cares for others, cares to do her duty for her family, country, and supports her husband. Although one might suppose there is something unbalanced about revelling in positivity, reading about her whether she's donned a pair of blue jeans, tank top, short-shorts, or turquoise taffeta with her permission, of course, is a dose of 'glass half-full'.
I haven't quite put my finger on it yet, andI will before long. But there is something subtle and "cunning" about Robin Givhan's writings about Michelle Obama. They always seem to strive for objectivity or balance, yet, for me, they come off as "insincere compliments" or "insincere politeness"--of the sort a wife might verbalize to the sister-in-law she genuinely hates, at the family's holiday dinner, but will not say because the "#@*!!" is her husband's sister.
...Noteworthy fashion critic or not, I don't like her, because I don't trust her integrity and motive as a writer. "A fashion critic suffering from 'fashion fatige? And from the fashion of the country's first lady at that???" Give me a damned break!
Interesting articles but like lady watcher above, Ms Givhan's article seems contradictory and I am struggling to understand what she is trying to say. On a slighter different note, I am really anxious to know what the first lady will wear to the inauguration. I would love if she recycled one of her evening gowns. In particular, i liked the royal blue Jason Wu dress with the frilly bottom or maybe the purple pleated corset gown by Peter Sorenson. Then again, I love when the first lady wears gowns by Naeem Khan, the one shouldered beaded metallic gown being an all time favourite of mine. Decisions ! Decisions !
Robin Givhan is a fashion writer. Or at least spent most of her career as one. It makes no sense that she'd mock fashion/affect boredom about it. She wrote snippy articles about the First Lady in the Washington Post and for some it felt a little too personal [they were at Princeton at the same time]. She needs to let it go and move onto covering the runway/new designers if writing about Michelle Obama cuts to the quick for her.
I'm a bit puzzled by Robin Givhan's article. Having been one of the key architects behind analysing Mrs O's wardrobe choices & their significance, she now seems to have become rather snide and snippy.
If she can't find anything nice to say...
I don't know about any of you, but I can't wait for a best of 2012 - and 2013 and 2014 and 2015 and 2016!
Ghivan article reminds me of Karl Lagerfeld's compliment to the First Lady some time ago--back handed
I wouldn't worry about that. If she doesn't want the details, she can read something different , but I would steer clear of reporting on the kids.
@ Marcus Perry, I agree; I got the same perception as I read the article.
@ Jestina, I think the royal blue dress you;re referring to is by Vera Wang.
Wow, not only was the first reporter a bit, shall we say bipolar: either Mrs. Obama's frocks are worthy of over-examination or should be ignored as nothing more than "simple lovely frocks", but many of the comments attached to that article were truly disturbing. A+ to the Obamas for being shining examples of not letting mudslingers drag them down. I have to say also, they have done an exemplary job of raising two beautiful, strong and grounded daughters in the middle of the fishbowl that some would have their lives be. An essential part of what makes Michelle's fashion choices work is the shining light that comes from within her. I tried to watch the whole 45 min. or so link of her and Bo greeting W.H. visitors unexpectedly (another thing I love about this blog, it is a unique current events suppl. to other news sources), but I got tired before Michelle and Bo left their spot on the tour! ha ha The woman has the energy and discipline of a SEAL and she simply exudes love. Having this woman as our First Lady is another thing we can all be thankful for this holiday season.
Hello Mrs T, could you please give us more details about Mrs O picture of the last rally on November 5, 2012 in Des Moines, Iowa. I really like what she wears for this occasion. Thank you, very very much.
By saying "people wanted to know what she was wearing, not because it signified anything, but simply because it was on her back" suggests that the Daily Beast's writer means that only people capable of attributing significance to the First Lady's clothes--people like herself, one supposes--should be permitted to enter into or enjoy the dialogue about MO's clothes.
No one but the Daily Beast writer suggests that every dress is not fraught with meaning. Heaven forbid that the conversation should yammer on--without her. She's bored already. Okay. Fine. Let her go away and do something else without raining on the parade. The rest of us will continue to enjoy ourselves--or not--without her.
I am a great fan of Mrs. POSTUS. However, there are some clothing that should not be worn. For instance, A-line dresses for those over 40; dresses with bows in the back (same group); dresses with little breast covering coats; dress queen eliz wears (too much of the sameness - no comments on Joe's wife). But these things are my opinion only and I hope they strike a nerve in the over 60 group - of which I am a part.)
@Philly, LOL.
Sure does sound like Robin Ghivan is mad that she's no longer the only one writing exclusively about our lovely First Lady.
With regard to Mrs Obama, Ms. Ghivan doesn't get to set the tone or narrative about what works, what doesn't, what's appropriate and what isn't. And it is driving her nuts. LOL.
Robin thinks that blog writers and ordinary folk like us should wait to take directives - specifically trickling down from her to us pedestrians. (Sound familiar?)
Unfortunately in these days of new technology, we the grassroots do what the heck we want to. We don't need no stinking Pulitzer prize to tell us when to, how to and what we love about our magnificent First Lady.
We just do. Rock on Mrs Obama, rock on!
@Philly, LOL.
Sure does sound like Robin Ghivan is mad that she's no longer the only one writing exclusively about our lovely First Lady.
With regard to Mrs Obama, Ms. Ghivan doesn't get to set the tone or narrative about what works, what doesn't, what's appropriate and what isn't. And it is driving her nuts. LOL.
Robin thinks that blog writers and ordinary folk like us should wait to take directives - specifically trickling down from her to us pedestrians. (Sound familiar?)
Unfortunately in these days of new technology, we the grassroots do what the heck we want to. We don't need no stinking Pulitzer prize to tell us when to, how to and what we love about our magnificent First Lady.
We just do. Rock on Mrs Obama, rock on!
I guess I belong to the 47% of gushers!
Just finished reading the Robin Givhan article.
I am not a fashion expert. But from the day Mrs. Obama first appeared on my radar, she has been someone I was interested in following. I’m sure some of my interest has to do with President Obama and his hopes and dreams for America. But I can truly say our First Lady simply fascinates me.
I come to this wonderful site (Thank you and God bless you, Mrs. T!) because I love reading what many of you have to say. There are so many of you whom I could name, but if I did I know I would inadvertently leave so many more of you out. (You all know who you are…yes I mean you!) So instead I’ll just say blessings and peace to you.
I have a great life, and I see this site as a place to come, sit down with like minded people, and partake in conversation. I so enjoy reading the informative, thought provoking, enlightening, and witty, comments many of you make. I also love reading the comments that some might call “gushy”; I call them heart-felt with love, pride, and admiration. I know my comments tend to fall in the latter group. I thank those of you who have welcomed me into the conversation.
Here’s to Mrs. O!
Peace.
@dasie: It does. ...Actually it's the "47%" to the "99%." And it might be wise for you to remember that.
Ms. Ghivan wait until the First Lady blinds your retinas at the Inugaration.
After reading the Givhan article, I agree with the posters above, what on earth is her point? It just makes me shake my head. After going back to read the comments, I am shaking my head even more. Too many people in this country spend too much time hating.
Picking the Christmas tree. WHY does FLOTUS insist on wearing those high belts? STOP already!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!