Turquoise and Sand

Photos by Jim Watson / Getty Images

After arriving in New Dehli, the president and first lady toured through Humayun's Tomb. (Humayun was a Mughal emperor who died in the 16th century; his tomb is known as the "mini-Taj Mahal.") Against this dreamy, neutral backdrop, Mrs. O's vibrant turquoise ensemble draws the eye. The first lady wears a below-the-knee skirt (the hemline du jour!) with pleated detail at the waist, a short sleeve cardigan and an embellished pin at the collar. 

For further reading, "Scenes from the Obama Visit" [WSJ]

Update: The first lady wears a custom dress by Peter Som.

On to New Delhi

Image by Indranil Mukherjee / Getty Images

...and looking chic!

Dance, Dance, Dance!

Images by Jim Watson / Getty Images

Image by Jason Reed / Reuters

The president and first lady started their Sunday with a celebration of Diwali at the Holy Name High School in Mumbai, India. There, Mrs. O, wearing a black and white dress, hot pink cardigan, and an embellished necklace by Erickson Beamon (available here, thanks reader Bibi!), got in on the action, dancing with local children. This is becoming the trip of dance, and it's fabulous! 

P.S. Even better in video! 

Update (11/27): Hats off to reader pbw, who helped to identify this suit as Nina Ricci, from the Spring 2011 collection, seen here.

Tambourines and Hopscotch

Image by Danish Siddiqui / Reuters

Mrs. O is on to her next stop, visiting children enrolled in the "Make A Difference" program at a local university in Mumbai. The program was founded by two young social entrepreneurs who mobilize young adults to serve as mentors and teachers for underprivileged children. Volunteers help children to learn English, thought to be an important part of students' long term academic success, through song, reading and other programs.

For the event, the first lady changed into a more casual ensemble, wearing a tiered floral skirt and "moss olive" lace top by J.Crew, available here, accented by an embellished thin belt at the waist and an Erickson Beamon starburst brooch. For a round of hopscotch, Mrs. O kicked off her butterscotch-hued leather ballet flats and joined in the festivities.

Click here to watch Mrs. O in action, dancing the bhangra and playing the tambourine. Amazing! Update: The First Lady wears a floral skirt by Gregory Parkinson.

Landing in Mumbai

  Photos by Jim Watson / Getty Images

President Obama and First Lady Mrs. O have landed in Mumbai, India, where they've already had a full day of affairs, first visiting the 26/11 Memorial at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel, and then the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum.

With an emphasis on honoring the victims on the Mumbai terrorist attacks, the first lady dressed in a somber, but gorgeous, delicate and intricately detailed grey dress. With full-length sleeves, a hem-line below the knee, and an elongated stretch of buttons down the front, the dress adds a new dimension to the first lady's ever-expanding, diverse wardrobe. The reserved silhouette is complemented by an unexpected, smoky effect that drifts in and out of the fabric. A triple-strand pearl choker necklace and silver kitten heels complete the stately look. Tamara Abraham of the Daily Mail writes that "Michelle's buttoned tunic dress was a neat reference to a traditional Indian kurti," perhaps a first nod to Indian culture.

Update: Mrs. O wears Viktor & Rolf from the design house's Fall Winter 2009 collection. The dress can be seen on the runway here.