Perfectly Suited

Photo used with kind permission from Sumi-e Artist Drue Kataoka at blog ValleyZen.com

We recently tracked down a Mrs. O ensemble from a private campaign event in Chicago earlier this month, which we felt merited comment even after the fact. The pantsuit hasn’t always had great press in this campaign, which seems a little unfair. As every professional woman knows, it can be a godsend in the office, bypassing tricky issues around hemlines and hosiery. Cut badly, of course, it can get overly masculine and severe. The rare, perfectly cut suit however is a thing of beauty and it’s no surprise at all that Mrs. O has uncovered one such gem. At a recent Women for Obama event in Chicago Mrs. O wore a black wool suit that beautifully combined professional poise and feminine flair.

In the past Mrs. O has favored 1960s-inspired three-quarter sleeve jackets, often cinched with a belt at the waist. This 1940s-inspired cut however was curved in all the right places, nipped in the waist and flaring softly at the hips. The softly curved collar and slightly puffed sleeves added further feminine touches while the sober color palette and slim black pants kept things sleek. Against this neutral background, Mrs. O’s companion added a fabulous splash of patriotic color in a Catherine Malandrino designed flag-print dress. Mrs. O accessorized with a string of black pearls that perfectly married elegance and edge - a master class in strong femininity.

Date: October 10, 2008

Venue: Women for Obama, DNC Women's Leadership Forum

Designer: Sonia Rykiel

Mrs. O on J. Crew: "We ladies know"

Mrs. O made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night wearing yet another J. Crew ensemble. Mrs. O was at her most stylish in this look. A bold yellow, classic lines, all put together with personal flair. Mrs. O was dressed head to toe (or knee that is) in J. Crew. She wore the Italian Deco tank, Crystal-button colorblock cardigan in Silver Honey and Metallic cloque pencil skirt (Update: the skirt appears to be the Pembridge-dot pencil skirt in Yellow Gold. The color is available exclusively through the J. Crew Collection store.) Mrs. O added a bit of sparkle with a multi-colored jeweled brooch to close her cardigan.

When Mr. Leno brought up the subject of Mrs. O's style, "I want to ask you about your wardrobe. I'm guessing about $60-grand? $60-, $70,000 for that outfit?" Mrs. O replied, "Actually this is a J. Crew ensemble. We ladies, we know with J. Crew. You can get some good stuff online." Mr. Leno, perhaps surprised to hear about Mrs. O's online shopping habits then asked, "Do you order it online? Doesn't that take the fun out of it?" to which Mrs. O replied, "When you don't have time, you've got to click." Mrs. O has been spotted in J. Crew at least three times in the past few weeks. Seen here, here and here.

Last night's ensemble, however, was by far our favorite. The best part? The tank and cardigan are now on sale. As a side note, there was a great retrospective on J. Crew as part of a profile on Creative Director Jenna Lyons in this month's Domino Magazine - worth a quick peruse.

Date: October 27, 2008

Venue: Appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 

Abstract Rose Refresh

Photo used with kind permission from Toia Michelle Images

When Mrs. O appeared in Ohio last Friday, something familiar caught our eye. A fully printed version of the abstract rose J. Crew frock worn the week before in Pittsburgh. Thanks to J. Crew-aholics for pointing us to this strapless edition of the dress, which we believe to be underneath Mrs. O's belted cardigan.

Update: There was also a skirt in the same print, which is likely what we see here.

This marks another occassion in which Mrs. O has bought in multiples; in late September she notably wore the same jacket in two different colors. From a practical standpoint, this may be a necessity given Mrs. O's grueling travel schedule and multiple public appearances per week. It perhaps also says something greater about her personal style - that she has a distinct sense of what she likes and what works well on her, that she doesn't play by the celebrity-driven rule that one shouldn't be seen in the same thing twice, and that she knows a good bargain when she sees one. At full price, the dress retailed for $180 and the skirt for $135.

This look is also an example of an oft preached but hard to pull off fashion principle: extending your wardrobe across seasons. Particularly relevant in tough economic times, "Buy now and wear through summer" is even a headline on the cover of November's Vogue. While this concept sounds great in theory, it can be more difficult when face to face with one's closet. Mrs. O's ensemble is a great example of how to successfuly meld attire from neighboring seasons.

Pairing a J. Crew summer Fall collection (but still summery print) skirt with a black twinset, tights and boots, Mrs. O effortlessly transitions the look into fall. The prominence of black and the nature of the abstract print are key to making this work. Also notice the orange buckle on Mrs. O's belt, this week's more fall appropriate answer to last week's tangerine floral pin accent. While we're not in love with the black boots here - they seem to weigh down the look a bit - we very much applaud the overall effort.

Date: October 24, 2008

Venue: Campaign rally, Buchtel High School, Akron, OH

A Graceful Gator

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Ryan Doerflein

Mrs. O continued to campaign through Florida yesterday making stops in Jacksonville and then Gainesville, home of the University of Florida Gators. Mrs. O brightened things up for this appearance, wearing a powder blue twinset with a poppy print full skirt in French Provencal-esque blue, yellow and white. Mrs. O's signature silver metallic flats made another appearance, adding a bit of dazzle to the look. The sweater set plus full skirt seems to be Mrs. O's sartorial combination of choice this week, perhaps adding extra versatility to her wardrobe, much needed for life on the road. We feel exhausted just thinking about Mrs. O's schedule - how she manages to maintain her casual, chic style through it all is just amazing. And even with a bit of school spirit, as evidenced here by her crowd pleasing "Gator Chomp".

Date: October 22, 2008

Venue: Campaign rally in Gainesville, FL

Designer: Moschino

Taking Florida by Storm

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Steven Gray

Mrs. O made two campaign stops in the Sunshine State yesterday, first joining Senator Obama at a rally in Miami and later speaking at the Pensacola Civic Center. Mrs. O kept the top half of her look quite basic, layering a white tank underneath a long brown cardigan. The signature Hope and Peace necklaces we've grown accustomed to seeing in past weeks were on this occasion joined by two more. What's the story behind these necklaces and the new additions, we wonder? Mrs. O added interest to the look with a full brown pleated skirt and two-tone Miu Miu flats in chestnut and salmon pink. The fullness of the skirt paired with the fitted top gives the look well balanced proportions, while the splash of color at the toe adds a bit of extra interest.

Date: October 21, 2008

Venue: Pensacola Civic Center, Pensacola, FL