Maureen Dowd Weighs In

Maureen Dowd's Op-Ed column in today's New York Times, "Should Michelle Cover Up?", is a must read (thanks Allegra for the link). The title may suggest another "right to bare arms" defense. In fact, the position Ms. Dowd puts forth comments more so on the role Mrs. O is playing as First Lady, and a higher order message her enviably toned arms send. A short excerpt follows below, but we recommend a read of the full piece.

During the campaign, there was talk in the Obama ranks that Michelle should stop wearing sleeveless dresses, because her muscles, combined with her potent personality, made her daunting.

She ignored that talk, thank heavens. I love the designer-to-J. Crew glamour. Combined with her workaday visits to soup kitchens, inner-city schools and meetings with military families, Michelle’s flare is our depression’s answer to Ginger Rogers gliding around in feathers and lamé.

Her arms, and her complete confidence in her skin, are a reminder that Americans can do anything if they put their minds to it. .... Michelle has soared every day, expanding the job to show us what can be accomplished by a generous spirit, a confident nature and a well-disciplined body. I also have no doubt she can talk cap-and-trade with ease and panache.

And the answer to Ms. Dowd's title? We gather that would be a definitive "no".

The Most Wonderful Icon

Well, it may be a few weeks past, but this NPR segment is worth a listen. Vogue's Fashion News and Features Editor, Sally Singer, weighs in on the Fall 2009 New York shows, recession fashion, and of course, Mrs. O. Speaking of the latter she shares:

"She's the most wonderful icon for us to have, in a way, because she's not someone who ever sought it out," Singer says. "This is not a woman who's put herself forward as a fashion icon — she's a woman who's an icon for all the right reasons."

Obama wears clothes well partly because she's beautiful, tall and poised, Singer says, but also because she doesn't let clothes overwhelm her. "She wears clothes that she looks good in, that fit her life, and in doing so inspires us all to think about ways that we can do that with clothes for our lives," Singer says.

Ms. Singer's words gained all the more credibility with us when we stumbled upon this April 2008 photo of the Vogue editor (far right) wearing a Tracy Feith dress of the exact same print as that worn by Mrs. O to the National Prayer Service in January. Kindred style spirits, they clearly are.

Secrets of Mrs. O's Style

Excerpt used with kind permission from More Magazine O isn't the only magazine that scored a high profile interview this month. The April issue of More magazine will include a feature on Mrs. O's longtime Chicago-based designer Maria Pinto. More has been kind enough to share a sneak peek, above. From the issue:

"I started working with Michelle when Barack was running for the Senate," Pinto says.  "She was referred to me by another client."

Pinto says Obama "is very down to earth" and also "knows what works." She’s a perfect fashion role model, Pinto says, because "She’s an example of the life we’re all living.  She goes high-low, mixing J.Crew with designer. I think we can all relate to that."

The April issue of More hits newsstands March 24.

Double O

Photo credit: O Magazine

The April 2009 cover of O was unveiled today, and features a very spring-like First Lady Mrs. O. This marks the first time anyone other than Oprah Winfrey has appeared on the cover of the magazine since its inception in 2000. For the cover, Mrs. O wears a coral Michael Kors dress and a soft yellow Dear Cashmere cardigan. In her signature style, Mrs. O belted the look with the same clear waist cincher seen yesterday. (Update: Thanks to Mrs. C who has confirmed the belt is Sonia Rykiel.) Oprah wears a lilac shirt dress by Rachel Roy New York. Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun Times has the full scoop here, including this fabulous quote from our First Lady:

"I know that all I can do is be the best me that I can. And live life with some gusto. Giving back is a big part of that. How am I going to share this experience with the American people? I'm always thinking about that."

Oprah and Gayle are also discussing their February visit to the White House on the show today. When suggested that Mrs. O has been likened to Eleanor Roosevelt, Oprah replies:

"[Michelle Obama] is not likened to anybody. She is her own. She is so 21st century that there really isn't anyone you can compare her to."

Well spoken O!

Beautiful Even in Rubber Gloves (Updated)

 Image used with permission from Miriam's Kitchen

First Lady Mrs. O visited Miriam's Kitchen today, a non-profit organization that provides meals to the homeless in Washington, DC. But not only did Mrs. O visit, she helped to serve lunch. Per the New York Times:

“My purpose here is to listen, learn and scoop some risotto,’’ Mrs. Obama told the group of about 50 homeless men and women.

“There is a moment in time when each and every one of us needs a helping hand,’’ Mrs. Obama said. She described Miriam’s Kitchen as “an example of what we can do as a country and a community to help folks when they’re down.”

We are downright inspired. Mrs. O is using her new role as First Lady to do so much good - and doing it all so stylishly. Today she paired a white ruffle front blouse with a salmon pink cardigan (we believe the same J.Crew cardigan featured in Vogue) and black slacks. A clear vinyl, red buckle belt cinched her waist.  

Update: Mrs. O's ruffle front blouse is from Isaac Mizrahi's new collection for Liz Claiborne New York! We have been waiting for Mrs. O to wear Isaac Mizrahi and are absolutely delighted. More here. Miriam's Kitchen was Twittering about the First Lady's visit all morning. Our favorite tweet? "She is beautiful even in rubber gloves". Image used with permission from Miriam's Kitchen / Photo credit: Rodney Choice