First Peek
Monday, January 21, 2013 at 9:31 AM 
The first lady wears a custom Thom Browne coat and dress, "both made of silk jacquard based on a necktie fabric," reports Eric Wilson of the New York Times.
The full scoop from a White House official via the press pool:
"The First Lady is wearing a navy Thom Browne coat and dress. The fabric was developed based on the style of a men's silk tie. The belt she is wearing is from J.Crew, the cardigan is designed by Reed Krakoff and her necklace is designed by Cathy Waterman. She is also wearing J.Crew shoes. At the end of the inauguration, the outfit and accompanying accessories will go to the National Archives.
Malia Obama is wearing a J.Crew ensemble. Sasha Obama is wearing a Kate Spade coat and dress."
Additional details to note: Marian Robinson wears hand carved, hand painted Lucite allegory flower earrings in black from Alexis Bittar.
This is not the first time that Mrs. O has worn Thom Browne. The first lady wore his lace overlay dress for the Democratic National Convention in September 2012, seen here. The designer is the recipient of the 2012 National Design Award in Fashion Design, celebrated with a White House luncheon ceremony hosted by the first lady.
Cathy Waterman, J.Crew, Kate Spade, Thom Browne
Reader Comments (41)
I love it! Simple and chic! :)
I really like this coat. And the shoes highlight its pattern. Would you write a post about her coats?
BEAUTIFUL!!!
Simply stunning, every single one. Love the simplicity and elegance of the entire family. WOW, this is just incredibly exciting!!
Oooooh! Eye candy! I'm swooning....
My dream came true and my Snoopy dancing worked! Perfection! Perfection! Perfection!!!
LOVES IT!!!! I heard on one of the stations that Mrs. O has on an ivory dress. Can't wait to see!!!
A simple, elegant, and very tailored look for Mrs. O. Who is the designer? I love the colorful matching ensembles that Malia and Sasha are wearing, with tights in a bit darker hues than their coats. And Mrs. Robinson looks gorgeous in her fawn-colored coat, orange scarf, and plum-colored gloves. Love FLOTUS' light gray shoes coordinated with her mother's darker gray. :) I also like what Dr. Jill Biden is wearing today, which seems to be coordinated with what Mrs. O is wearing in terms of tailoring and muted color. Most of all, FLOTUS and POTUS are a very matched pair in what they are wearing today, which seems to represent the fact that they are ever more bonded and are coupled not only more strongly in their marriage but also in what they hope to do together during POTUS' second term!
I noticed as they were exiting St. John's Church that FLOTUS' coat has a zippered front. I didn't get a good look at what she's wearing underneath. The pattern, and the paneled look on the coat, along with what looks like trim around the neck area are wonderful details (although the white trim could be part of what she's wearing underneath the coat). I didn't know what to expect, but I did think Mrs. O might be in a more colorful outfit. However, she seems to be setting a fashionable, very elegant but somewhat more conservative, understated mood. It's like her hair is fresh and flirty while her decidedly non-frilly garment speaks softly with a big stick that's saying, "No nonsense. Let's get down to business." Mrs. O always knows what she's about. Kudos! As always, FLOTUS ROCKS! ;)
Okay, got it! Thom Browne -- I recall that Mrs. O has worn his designs before. Thanks for the info and the link, Mrs. T. I was curious the first time I saw her in Thom Browne and I checked out his website. He started out with men's wear. He has a preppy, tailored (often irreverent, tongue-in-cheek preppy style). Thanks for being on top of everything so quickly, Mrs. T. :)
Ahhh, silk jacquard ... the description gives a sense of the luxe silky smoothness of the fabric.
ETA: *Re Mrs. O's zippered-front coat -- the zipper is obviously hidden, but her coat was unzippered and the bottom of the zipper was visible when they were exiting the church.
OMG, she is so gorgeous! I am furiously scanning the net trying to find a picture of the dress, etc. Thank you Eric for the description, but we need to SEE!!!
Cameras caught a quick glimpse of FLOTUS entering a reception with members of Congress at the Capitol. She was wearing what looked like a silver or gray-blue dress-- sans sleeves! FLOTUS doesn't even flinch at 40 degree weather-- a marvel for us Los Angelinos! Can't wait to see entire ensemble.
Small observations often lead to bigger observations. Look at the shoes the girls are wearing. They are flats and not heels that so many parents allow their girls to wear. I just love this. In addition to being the president I voted for they are also both good parents to their kids and I am confident those girls will turn out fine, despite being in a fish bowl.
Marcelisa, she is from Chicago- 40 degrees in January is almost balmy!!!
I'm here !! I'm in Washington. The atmosphere.......I will treasure for the rest of my life. Every race, every creed, every colour, every age is here happy and praying for the Obama's. I had a premonition that the first lady would wear magenta or something bright, but heavens, what a surprise, she looks gorgeous. They all do. I don't want this day to end.
OMG, she is so gorgeous! I am furiously scanning the net trying to find a picture of the dress, etc. Thank you Eric for the description, but we need to SEE!!!
Okay, as FLOTUS was just now leaving the White House, she was wearing a silver belt around the coat, and it looked like she has switched to thigh-high boots, if I'm not mistaken. I didn't get a good look.
It looks like a jewel belt has been added and suede boots as the family left for the Capitol. Elegant!
Aha! here is a link to the Wash Post's video. Sasha's multicolored dress under her coat can be seen at the very beginning. At about 2:30, both girls' purple dresses can be seen. Fantastic!
http://tinyurl.com/axugqkd
She's wearing magenta gloves. How psychic am I ?
Mrs. O - stunning! The girls - elegant + age appropriate! Mrs. O's mum - looking very, very good! Excellent choices all around. Together they form a colourful group, and considering it's mid-winter, not bad!!
That's my girl, Jestina!!!! WELCOME!!!!
WOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!! I LOVE the pop of color from the magenta gloves, the bling of the belt, the sexy boots, and the hair is looking SO much better today!
let us know what Jill Biden is wearing too. She looks great as well
This was a very thoughtful choice. Love the contrasting design o f the coat and the dress. The Coat appears to be zippered and the dress is striped which adds to a the brilliance of this choice. The addition of the belt and the boots vary classy. Love it.
I really like what FLOTUS is wearing but I feel like it's missing an accessory. Maybe a bealt or a necklace? The dress pattern is beautiful but her look is definitely missing something!
Well done Mrs O....you look awesome, the girls looks so beautiful, Grandma robinson looks very nice, i envy President Obama, he is surrounded by such beautiful and classy women, GOD bless him!!!!!
The FLOTUS!!! is looking FABULOUS!!! as ALWAYS The Coat and Belt!!! FLAWLESS!!!
The Family looks lovely! The coat is magnificent!
I really love the First Lady's outfit, but I have to admit that I like it much better without the belt that she added for the swearing-in ceremony.
Did FLOTUS change for the luncheon or just take the coat off??
Michelle looks so stylish oh my! Great choice of outfit..I can't make up my mind whether I like the coat with or without the belt.. I'm looking at it back and forth.... i think i prefer the simplicity without the belt at the church service. It feels elegant that way.... but that's ok...
Beautiful and stylish First Lady representing USA well.
Of course, she just took off her coat, THC. As someone already mentioned, maybe in the other thread, her dress fabric looks like the underside of the coat fabric.
I LOVE the coat on FLOTUS and the colors on the girls are beautiful!
I give a 'Standing Ovation' to our First Lady Michelle Obama!
Hi Mrs. T. and everyone! It's been a while since I've visited here, but haven't forgotten everyone! Let's all have the best New Year ever!
I love what everyone is wearing and I am looking forward to 4 more years of following this blog!!! Thank you!!
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Magnífica, fabulosa, espléndida, cercana, vital !!!!!!!!!
Ella es , sin duda, la mejor representante de las mujeres del siglo XXI. Sonríe y mantiene el paso firme en cualquier situación por ello su vestido es una gran elección porque nos habla de valores y actitudes: simplicidad, armonía, aceptación de como eres y, sobre todo, llaneza.
She is stunning, love it
Loved all of the outfits! The President's family and the Vice President's family all looked A M A Z I N G!!!
She is the epitome of style and great taste...and those girls are just too adorable. I loved everthing FLOTUS wore that day and the girls as well.
How come you didn't mention what was the president wearing for his own inauguration?