O.Chat > I Own The Same Thing!
On November 4, for the classical music event, Mrs. O wore a stunning white sheath with a sweetheart neckline. It was a Talbots piece, available in white, sapphire or black. I ordered it in the sapphire. Mrs. T wanted to know what I thought, so here I am!
Bottom line: It's gorgeous and looks like way more than $200. This is a great example of the new Talbots.
The fabric is a true double face(d) wool, unlined (more on that below). On the original post someone (BeeGee?) accurately described this fabric as a blanket or coat fabric (it's also called melton cloth). It's unusual in a dress, but because the seam detail is so crucial here, it makes sense. Most of the seams are welted in this garment, which means they almost look like cording. This dress is all about the seams.
Mrs. O's dress has way more shape than mine - actually, SHE also has way more shape than I do! At the very least, it was altered by someone who really knew what s/he was doing (I'd expect no less at the White House!). More likely, it was made to her specifications. I ordered a 6, which is the size I've worn this season in several Talbots sheaths. I just ordered a 4 to see if I can get a little more fit. Altering it would be dicey because I do not want a lump in the seam detail. For those of you who asked about Talbots sizing, I'd say this is unusually generous, so you may want to size down.
The unlined aspect concerns me. It feels yummy, but I worry that if I sit for any length of time (like thru an opera in a couple of weeks) I'll wind up with a "butt sprung" back of the dress. So, I'm looking for a half-slip in some kind of rigid fabric that will work like a liner. These used to be made in taffeta, but apparently are no longer available.
It's beautiful and it's going to New York with me in early December. I can definitely make it work and get lots of wear out of it.
operafanatic
I haven't owned anything Mrs. O has worn before she wore it, so I'll discuss the few outfits I've bought after she wore the outfit.
I ordered a similar dress as the Talbots dress, only it had sleeves. I have never shopped at Talbots before, and so I wasn't sure of the sizing. I bought a small and it's a little too big - which is crazy since I'm usually small or even a medium in certain designers. I think extra-small would be pushing it, so I'm going to get the dress taken in on the sides. It's a minor fitting issue, so I think I'll be ok.
I bought the green Jcrew argyle cardigan she wore with the expensive sneakers during the day of service with spouses of members' of Congress. That became my cover up, and I wore that almost every week during the summer while at the office when I had my suit jacket off, if I had on a tank top or something light under my suit jacket.
IVA
This is fun! I too have a few things. This summer I found two of Mrs. O's dresses in the same week on eBay by searching for the designers. One is the blue and purple floral Moschino shirt dress Mrs. O wore on the campaign trail in 2008. I was the only bidder in the auction, and won the dress, new with tags, for $75 from a woman in Texas. The second is a different version of the Reverse Kimono dress by Thakoon. Instead of the wonderful floral print version Mrs. O wore for the DNC, mine is a pink satin material. I wore it to a few weddings this summer. Again, I was the only bidder in the auction and won the dress, new with tags, for less than $200. I have to say - at this point friends and colleagues thought the passion for Mrs. O's style may have gone a bit overboard!! - but they were unbelievable deals and gorgeous dresses, too good to pass up! I really think there are amazing deals to be found on eBay.
Mrs. T
Wow! Nice one Mrs T! I love Ebay for that. I managed to get a silk top that I'd seen on another icon of mine for £21 instead of £148, some years ago. It's so worth it.
I love this thread.
Posh Tater
I had ordered the lavender version of the J. Crew argyle sweater and it was "in the mail" when she wore it. Does that count??
Groovy
@ Groovy - absolutely! This is intended to be a very loose threat - just a place where we can talk about her influence on our purchases - especially if we bought something which she also owns.
I don't know about anyone else, but I was doubly excited when I tried on the blue dress like her white one. I always love new clothes, but this one was special.
operafanatic
It DEFinitely adds a frisson!
Posh Tater
I have the blue floral print from Talbots that Mrs. Obama wore on the cover of Essence Magazine and on the trip to Russia. I got a lot of compliments on it; the style is flattering on most figures.
Mrs. HJS
This is a great idea! I haven't posted in a long time but visit frequently. I have the two floral Talbots dresses. I wore the Essence one to a bridal shower and a Mother/Daugther tea. I wore the orange and white one to a couple graduations. I felt great in both and got lots of compliments. I have Love In White perfume and I love it. It also garners lots of compliments (especially from my husband:).
Mrs. O's influence is reflected in my belt and sweater collection. They are not "the same thing" but they definitely have that O-Factor going.
Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate and a great day to those who don't. After dinner, I'll be drooling over Mrs. O's book yet again because I pick up some new detail with each browsing.
O-Lover
Dang! I was SO hoping this was someone saying "I have Desiree's dress, and all my friends LOVE it!"
But it's good to know there are other Talbots devotees out there! And thanks, O-Lover, for the reminder about MO's perfume. I keep meaning to track it down.
operafanatic
How could I forget about the dress from The View? I have it.
Anyway, I went into SteinMart over the weekend to pick up a couple cashmere sweaters for the hubby. As soon as I walked in the door, I was assaulted by the brooch displays. I just had to surrender and peruse. They had a really wide selection at very reasonable prices. If you get a chance, go look for yourself. There is something for everyone and you just might be surprised. I treated myself to my own stocking stuffers:) I also got a purple Isabela DiMaro coat that looks like the aquamarine J Crew Mrs. O has.
O-Lover
This is more along the line of "I could own the same thing:" I was in H&M a few days ago buying a very cute black sequin bomber jacket for my god daughter. As the sales associate took the jacket to ring it up, we passed thru a section that was FILLED with Michelle Obama looks. In particular, there were a few sleeveless dresses with bateau necklines and full-ish skirts, in large florals featuring violets and grays. The fabric was a kind of polished cotton in a heavy weight. Really, these did not look like H&M clothes.
As I pawed thru the racks, I found a number of pieces which looked like they came from her closet. When I said as much to the associate, he said "Oh yeah, this is the Michelle Obama section."
Check it out if you're near one of their stores. Just think, in the Spring we can look like cookie cutter FLOTUSes! Probably not a good thing . . .
operafanatic
I started the thread, so I make the rules, right?
My dog - young Hollywood, she of the Cavalier King Charles persuasion - has the same jingle bell collar as Bo! I am beyond proud - can I shop or what??
operafanatic
Good Job, OpFan!
Years ago, I bought a gorgeous hot pink scarf for a dear friend. The next day, I found a collar for her cat in the exact shade.....what a coup that was.
You must feel festive when you walk the dog, and all eyes turn to see and hear the magnificence!
Bevi
Double Post -
OpFan, I just went to my mail and found the nicest Mrs. O-esque necklace from a girlfriend. I had gone to J. Crew where she works part time ( she is a teacher) and she was wearing a faux pearl and diamond ball confection with a black satin tie, and little pieces of grey toile interspersed among the jewels. I swooned over it - she had bought it at J. Crew.
Well, I guess she had known I would love it, because she said to me, "Check your mailbox."
Bevi
Bevi - I know that necklace, and it's going to be gorgeous on you! Don't you just love those friends who completely get who you are and know exactly what to give you?
Have a wonderful holiday - I hope we meet again, for more than 2 minutes, in 2010!
operafanatic
Melody Hobson, wearing too many famous outfits of Mrs Obama! What do all of you think? She is really smart and pretty, and I'm sure she had some of her clothes before FLOTUS in some cases but still.......well have a look!
Tracy Feith Dress
Thakoon DNC Dress
Pearly Brooch
Screams MrsO
Moschino Jacket
J.Crew Cardi
Moschino Big Bow Top in White
Moschino Big Bow Top in Black
Moschino Big Bow Top in Orchid Pink?
Moschino wrap Dress?
Hope it works, tried to make it clickable!
Stylishgurl
Wow, Stylishgurl, that is quite amazing. I hardly know what to say!
In the "Screams Mrs. O" link, Mellody Hobbes wears the same blue dress that Mrs. O wore as she got off the plane in Hawaii last week, with an oversize papier mache brooch, similar to the one Mrs. O wore in Rome.
Mellody Hobson is a Chicagoan and known patron of Ikram. I think the similarity is probably more the result of the retailer styling the women in similar ensembles.
Mrs. T
Anyone interested in the laquered boucle Michael Kors suit Mrs. O has (in two colors, I think), it is available on gilt.com in black for about $400. Regularly almost $1500. There are also a few other dresses in this Kors sale which are pretty fab and look very MO. If you're thinking Spring already, it is worth a check. Gilt is a great website for online sample sales. I also like ideeli and hautelook.
operafanatic
Wow, operafanatic, I just had a look and it's like a dip into Mrs. O's closet! I recognized the white dress Mrs. O wore for the country music event earlier this year, and a different dress cut in the same teal fabric as the dress she wore for the holiday preview at the White House. Good find!
Mrs. T
OMG, yes...you're right MrsT, that blue sheath is the same as the Hawaii landing one. I think the studio lights and flower brooch distracted me LOL.
Stylishgurl
Mrs T, she is a fashionista for sure. I remember seeing her on various RED CARPETs during the Award seoson (Dating George Lucas!) and always looks good.
Stylishgurl
Wow Stylishgurl I guess I don't follow Mellody enough to notice but I am so surprised that she has the exact same outfits as Mrs O.
And someone previously stated, I'm sure the Ikram connection is the reason for this, but it is amazing to me that you were able to find so many examples.
It has to be said, as fabulous as she looks, I feel like the same pieces on Mrs O pop more and feel like they were made just for her.
Miss Mica
It is not unusual for Mrs. O to wear something that someone who posts on this site owns. I've seen it happen with everything from a Moschino jacket to a J. Crew outfit. So, although it probably won't get used too much, I'm starting a thread that will give us a single place to talk about it. We move on so quickly from the homepage postings that commenting on something that appeared even a few days ago may get overlooked by people who really were interested in hearing about it.
So, to get the ball rolling, read on . . .