Kennedy Center Honors

The 2012 Kennedy Center Honors are being held this evening, and for the occasion, the first lady has chosen a Michael Kors gold lamé chiffon encrusted shoulder gown from the designer's Resort 2013 collection paired with earrings by Moritz Glik. Can you say gorgeous?!

Christmas at the White House

The first lady, joined by Bo, debuted the White House holiday decorations today. Military families were invited to the East Room to decorate holiday treats. Yum!

For the festive occasion, Mrs. O wore a gold silk lurex Michael Kors suit, previously seen for in December 2009, here.

Victory

It's victory for President Obama and four more years of first lady fashion! On election night, Mrs. O demonstrated a continued proclivity for "shopping her closet," wearing a magenta silk chine pintucked dress by Michael Kors, last seen in 2010, here. The first lady accessorized with a cropped black cardigan and pink House of Lavande Vintage 1950s Schreiner brooch at the neckline. 

Many will remember the edgy red and black Narciso Rodriguez dress that Mrs. O wore in Grant Park in 2008, here. I think last night's choice was a clear departure. The message wasn't fashion with a capital F, but rather, a more subdued statement: classic style with an inherent ease. Knowing that Mrs. O chose the dress from her own closet only reinforced that mood. I think it's an indication of how the first lady's style has evolved over the first term, along with her role. Certainly, it will be exciting to follow where she takes us next!

On the girls: Sasha Obama borrowed from her sister, wearing a green Chris Benz skirt, previously worn by Malia, here, paired with J.Crew Mila cap toe leather flats. Malia Obama wore a full royal blue skirt, paired with a black top and pink belt at the waist. New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn was smitten, tweeting: "The Obama girls might be the fashion news tonight--full skirts, bright color, cute"

Further reading:

"Michelle Obama: Four More Years" [BuzzFeed SHIFT]

"Michelle Obama's Signs of Fashion Restraint on Election Night" [The Daily Beast]

Power Pink

The first lady was seated in the audience of tonight's second presidential debate. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a bold pink dress and matching jacket accessorized with a single strand of pearls. Of note, both Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Romney wore similarly hued pink dresses described as "pepto-pink" and "bubblegum" in initial reactions on Twitter. It seems likely that the women chose the hue in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

WWD consulted with Leatrice Eiseman of the Pantone Color Institute for more perspective on the color. Eiseman's take? “It is a true shocking pink. It is right on the mark. If you look at it from a historical perspective, it would be a Schiaparelli pink."

Update: Mrs. O wears a neon boucle crepe princess seamed sheath dress and jacket by Michael Kors. For those curious, Ann Romney wore a short-sleeve dress by Oscar de la Renta.

"Political Fashion: Michelle Obama and Ann Romney's Dueling Pink Dresses" [WWD]

Congressional Black Caucus Gala

The first lady attended the Congressional Black Caucus Gala in Washington, D.C. last evening, speaking with a strong message on voter rights: 

"We cannot let anyone discourage us from casting our ballots.  We cannot let anyone make us feel unwelcome in the voting booth.  It is up to us to make sure that in every election, every voice is heard and every vote is counted."

For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a Michael Kors black georgette pleated one shoulder gown paired with a sparkly vintage rhinestone belt from New York Vintage at the waist. Of note, Mrs. O wore the same gown for the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in June, here. This is the first time in memory that Mrs. O has repeated a formal ensemble.

"At Black Caucus dinner, Michelle Obama urges members to get out the vote" [Washington Post]

"FLOTUS goes Old Hollywood glam" [Huffington Post]