Bright and Casual as Campaign Closes
Monday, November 3, 2008 at 3:31 PM 
Photo used with kind permission from photographer Emily Ho
Yesterday one of our guests, Nina, commented: "I like how casual Mrs. O has been these last few days before the election. It projects confidence and I think endears voters to her." It's an excellent observation.
In the past week we've seen Mrs. O repeatedly stick with very basic ensembles, pairing cotton tees and cardigans with colored jeans or cropped pants. After dazzling us with fancy frocks and tailored suits, why the shift as the campaign end nears? As we've tracked Mrs. O's style these past few weeks, we've noticed her schedule intensify with multiple campaign stops in different states all packed into single days. It's plausible that Mrs. O is simply knackered and has less time and energy to devote to her wardrobe. On the otherhand, the shift towards casual attire could be a more deliberate effort to relate to "normal people" as election day nears. Or perhaps even an effort to keep voters and the media focused on the most important issues at hand.
Deliberate or not, we agree with Nina's sentiments entirely. We've also noticed a streak of bright, spirited colors these past few days, which we can't help but think cue optimism. The day before the election, Mrs. O again dressed in a quite casual look. Above she wears a turquoise three-quarter length sleeve tee (which looks familiar from last Thursday's half hour Obama infomercial) paired with grey slacks, silver flats and her signature necklaces.
Date: November 3, 2008
Venue: Campaign rally, The College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV
Outfits
Reader Comments (8)
I guess relating to "normal" people means FRUMPY. I like that she is willing to wear colors, but so did Cindy McCain and Mrs. Biden and Hillary (loved the orange pants suit--she glowed that night.) The turquoise thing she has on doesn't fit her well. It's pulled tight under her arm and across her bust. The shoulder seaming is up too high. It should be at the end of her shoulder where it joins the arm. I am beginning to think that Mrs. O used to wear a size 10 and has not realized that she is now a 14. She is still wearing her old clothes her picking her old size and not trying any of it on before she buys it.
She looks nice and comfortable to me.
FYI - I just deleted a few comments here that were wildly inappropriate and offensive, to me and I'm sure others. Please remember this is a style blog. I'm fine with difference in opinion about Mrs. O's style. But not with personal attacks. I find it sad that people have such hateful things to say about Mrs. O. I'd rather they not be said at all - and certainly not here.
i would have to concur with Pamela....FRUMPY and bordering on unkempt. THis is what I might wear to clean the house but not to be in the public eye. Love the attempt to be casual but it didn't work for me.
Frumpy! She looks like someone you could really talk to at the local store shopping. I LOVE her already. She is smart, strong and knows how to feel good about herself which we all need to learn. Her clothes do not have to cost a fortune to be nice to look at. She reminds me of Jackie O already.
She looks cheap. Jackie O never looked cheap.
Cheap and frumpy? I guess you ppl like your first ladies and family to be untouchable, unreachable; so once they wear clothing regular ppl do they look "cheap, frumpy". You ppl r simply amusing! The nx time, U criticise them for lking high end clothes *rolls eyes*
I like her style and if she wanted to dress to impress she could be why? Why not be simple and real. It is not what is on the outside. It's what is on the inside. She is nice. Not Cheap! Shame on YOU for saying such a thing. No, No!