Charming, Chic, Classic Mrs. O

Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images

First Lady Mrs. O spoke at the Department of Transportation this afternoon, and we have an early report thanks to meta:

"The First Lady just appeared before the Department of Transportation and she looked really beautiful. Her remarks were very warm and gracious. She’s wearing what looks like a large pattern houndstooth short bolero jacket with a large gorgeous pin over a black turtleneck dress - crisp and chic. Her hair is swept up in a low twist. She looks terrific."

By the description, it sounds like Mrs. O's bolero might be this jacket from Peter Soronen. Update: Wow o wow, we are loving everything about this look - the Peter Soronen jacket, the soft updo, the pearl metallic bead cluster brooch (also worn the Kennedy Center). The more we study this ensemble, the more we adore it. Mrs. O's jacket and pin bring an unexpected mix of pattern, texture and proportion, while her black turtleneck and trousers serve as the perfect, pared down backdrop. Mrs. O's updo gives the overall look an easy, feminine sophistication. As a side note, we believe the last time we saw Mrs. O with her hair swept up was on the second night of the DNC in August, when she was also wearing Peter Soronen - one of our all-time favorite Mrs. O looks. The White House has released First Lady Mrs. O's remarks from her visit today, a few of which are included below:

"As you have heard, I have taken on what I think is the fun task of coming to every department in Washington -- because I want to meet my new neighbors -- learn more about the community, get to know our co-workers, every one who's going to be standing side by side with us over this wonderful journey that we're on."

"But it's important as a reminder to let people know that the nation's business is carried out by all of you, dedicated public servants like the folks standing behind me, all of you here, who have devoted their careers, who have been doing this work for decades.  So my job is simple:  I'm here to say thank you.  Thank you."

Well-Suited in Burgundy Tweed

Photo used with kind permission from photographer tehelka

Inspired by Mrs. O's ensemble from the Jefferson Jackson dinner in Iowa last year - a great example of how to wear a classic suit and still look perfectly feminine - we thought we'd highlight another Mrs. O stand-out. We love the burst of burgundy on this two-piecer from Peter Soronen’s Fall Winter '06 collection, worn the night Mr. O won the South Carolina primary in January 2008.

It seems apt that Mrs. O would favor Soronen’s work, as he first established his business in Chicago and continues to be stocked at Chicago-based Ikram, a favorite Mrs. O boutique. Similar to the Peter Soronen frock that Mrs. O wore to the second night of the DNC, this ensemble highlights a high and narrow waistline with its delicate and curve-hugging seams - not a surprise considering Soronen’s extensive work with corsetry.

And though the wonderful texture of the tweed and wide lapels are flattering and season-appropriate details, we’re even more obsessed with the flutter sleeves that playfully call attention to the magenta satin lining. The suit looks fairly classic in shape, but its versatility allows it to be worn many ways. A sheer lacy top underneath, as seen paired with the pink tweed version below, can show off the demure cut and feminine detail, while the skirt or jacket can easily function as separate statement pieces. But by layering a plain white camisole and three stands of pearls, Mrs. O looks professional, classy and approachable—and strikingly like Jackie O, as others have been keen to point out.

Click here to look through Soronen’s Spring Summer '09 collection, “LIVE,” which uses a wonderful range of classic silhouettes, textures, and patterns that we think would look quite dashing on Mrs. O. Pink tweed suit from Peter Soronen's Fall Winter '06 collection:

Photo used with kind permission from Peter Soronen

Exclusive: Peter Soronen DNC dress

This is the actual dress Mrs. O wore for the second night of the DNC, prior to custom alterations. Highlighted in our Lovely in Brocade post, the dress is a Peter Soronen design, purchased through Chicago's famed Ikram boutique. The rose brocade cocktail dress in lime is made of fabric from Soronen's Pre-Spring 2008 collection, and cut in a design from his Fall 2008 collection. The original dress, above, was altered for the DNC, the sleeves shortened and a ruffle added at the bust.  We love the hidden story behind the DNC dress, and think Mrs. O made smart alternations, very sensible for the occasion.

Photo used with kind permission from photographer Marc Piscotty:www.marcpiscotty.com

Lovely in Brocade

  Photo credit: Flickr user Mike Baird // Creative Commons

For the second night of the DNC, Mrs. O wore a custom Peter Soronen cocktail dress in rose brocade. This was one of our favorite Mrs. O looks from the DNC. Her soft updo perfectly complemented the romantic fabric, feminine ruffle and capped sleeves of her dress. She looked absolutely lovely in every sense. We've learned that the designer, Peter Soronen, was discovered by Joan Weinstein, the original owner of high-end Chicago boutique Ultimo, who also has ties to Ikram Goldman. Soronen moved from Chicago to New York in the late 90s to expand his business. Famous for his structured corsetry and curve hugging designs, his following includes Jennifer Hudson and SJP. This wasn't Mrs. O's first time in Peter Soronen. The red tweed, wide lapel skirt suit, which set off much of the next Jackie O. fervor earlier this year, was also a Soronen design.

Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Venue: Democratic National Convention Designer: Peter Soronen

Description: Rose Brocade cocktail dress in lime, with cap sleeves and feminine ruffle at the bust.