Saturday
Nov082008
The Style of Mrs. O
Saturday, November 8, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Above is a fantastic CNN style segment on Mrs. O featuring commentary from InStyle Magazine's Katrina Szish. The piece touches on Mrs. O's knack for mixing high and low designs, and predicts how her style may differ from former first ladies. Szish comments: "Oscar de la Renta is a classic first lady go-to [designer]. You can do no wrong with Oscar de la Renta. But I don't think Michelle Obama is going to be an Oscar de la Renta kind of gal. We're going to see her bring new designer names into the spotlight."
And if you're feeling starved for post-election Mrs. O coverage, you can catch a glimpse of our future first lady in the segment below, en route to a 7:30AM parent teacher conference on Friday morning. Wearing a sweatsuit and baseball cap, Mrs. O is decidedly dressed down. But as CNN points out, that somehow feels "reassuringly normal".
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Reader Comments (20)
As soon as I saw Mrs. Obama's dress on acceptance night, I looked for a way to say how awful I thought the dress was. Two red blobs in inappropriate places. I hope she accepts a designer's offer of free designs as other First Ladies have. And, being tall, her knees should not show. I also did not like to see the younger daughter in an all-black drab dress. Dress her like a cute little girl, please. Another thought. Why were the people behind Mr. O. not introduced even just by name?
Going clubbing and your husband being presented (for the first time) as the President-Elect are really two different types of events.
M.O. is no Jackie O.
That dress was just plain ugly. It did not fit the occassion, nor would it have fit any occassion. If I was michelle, I would never wear anything that this designer designed. Michelle, it's okay for you to wear dresses, but they must be chic, tailored, and below the knee. Your jewelry should not be large hoops, bangle, and look like tin. Your shoes should be pumps with an instep to make your legs appear shaped, and your feet smaller. Please, your girls are so smart and pretty, never let the baby wear all black. Now she managed well, and that's because she's a very cute little girl, however, we can do better.
I would not even say Mrs. O in the same breath as Jackie O! Mrs. Obama has alot to learn about being fashionable. She dresses in an average manner appropriate for her former life but now that she is First Lady, she will need to be more consistently dressed. If she wants to be a fashion plate, this will be her full time job. If she wants to be well dressed and appropriate, get a stylist (B.J. had some great starting points) and move on with things that are more important to her. She is a pretty woman and confident. She should be able to strike the balance. Jackie O and Princess Diana are once in a life time treats. Mrs. Obama should not try to go there.
look at this website!
I like Mrs. O's fashion risks! She is dressed for success and with every risk there is a chance of failure. Her older girl looked fabulous, as all you other comments neglected to mention. This is perhaps not the best outfits the Obamas could do but they are certainly on the right track to be one chic family.
Thanks for finding/posting the Katrina Szish interview, which otherwise many of us wouldn't have seen. Interesting commentary on Michelle's fashion style to date and that of past Presidents' wives. To those of you negatively obsessing over the election night dress: geez, GET over it! WAY too much emotion wrapped around it as an issue. Yes, it was a risk - not Michelle's greatest look to this point, but you can't deny: it created a lasting impression. Problem with dress pattern/colors seemed to be an illusion created in telegenic/photogenic views - probably looked great in person. I'm impressed that Michelle hasn't succumbed to the typical, boring pant/skirt suits that most politicians' wives wear. I admire her spunk and confidence - clearly her own person - and look forward to (at least) the next four years.
I think the red & black dress looks GREAT - close up, but from a distance it was not flattering. We know to check how things look standing up and sitting down, now checking on how it looks from a distance should be added for Mrs. O.
I thought Mrs Obama looked great and it was completely appropriate for the occasion. It was a risk but I don't think it was nearly as bad as some people are making it out to be at the moment. She mixes it up very well imo from skirt suits, pants suits, separates, shift dresses and high to low end. She seems fearless which I like very much.
I understand about taking fashion risks, but Michelle Obama will be our First Lady, and with that comes a responsibility. I also understand that fashion is (as it should be) a small part of who she is. But women tend to follow leaders. As nice as Laura Bush is, her clothing style was boring, not worth following.
We've had too many years of nondescript or just plain ugly clothes on the general public. Here is Mrs Obama's chance to bring style worth coveting into the White House, and across America.
Whether or not you like Michelle Obama's style,you must admit that it is always interesting. I think the only reason everyone is so caught off guard by her style is that she isn't in a generic pantsuit or fitted jacket/skirt combo. I can remember the first ladies of the U.S. since Barbara Bush, but I can't remember a single outstanding outfit worn by any of them. I only remember Barbara in that hideous blue dress... other than that, I'm drawing a blank. It's time to wake up, fellow Americans, it's a new day. And what's the big deal about tall women showing their knees? Who makes up these rules? Just because above knee skirts make short women's legs look like Li'l Smokies sausages means that tall women can't wear them either? Sounds a little jealous to me.
I love Michelle. That dress was gorgeous and I love how she takes risk and has an individual style. Blah to mediocrity.
I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.
Just reviewed some of these postings. What am I missing? Fashion risks? Does she know she is even taking any? She just has poor taste and a difficult body type to flatter. Being able to afford expensive or designer clothing does not mean one dresses with taste or appropriateness. Looking like a black widow spider on election night fits her personna. How about her appearance for her speech at the Dem convention? White bra straps showing on both shoulders with a turquoise A-line dress...the worst shape for a pear shaped body?
Obviously, fashion is not her thing. But she definitely needs a consultant to train her to walk, sit and stand like a lady.
first, i love the dress, and i think that it is very refreshing to see something a little more interesting on our first lady. i also agree with monica... there seems to be a lot of emotion and harsh criticism of mrs. o's wardrobe choices. b. j. sure seems to think she has mrs. o all figured out, but i think it's great that she can be fashion forward, AND she's showing how to be a fabulous looking super-busy mom. mrs. o doesn't have to dress drab and dowdy OR break the bank to look amazing!
That dress screamed through the TV screen - look at me look at me. I agree with taking risks but not when hubby is giving first president-elect appearance with uber-global coverage. And too right, don't dress kiddies in all black - no no.
OMG, are you kidding? That red & black dress was not a risk, let's call it like it is. Michelle looked down right FRUMPY! I like some of her plain jane looks, but get some style, girl! She can afford it, and if she does not have an eye for it, get a sylist who does. I think she needs a visit from the what not to wear gang!
Please do not dis-respect Jackie O by comparing her to Michelle OBama. There's a world of difference between stated class and the style Michelle presents. Forget the attire and just look at the difference in how Jackie handled herself in public compared to the constant frown displayed by Michelle. The red & black dress was an embarrassment and not becoming of someone who will eventually represent the US as the wife of the President. Maybe she can take some guidance from Mrs. Bush when she visits the White house.
That black and red dress was witty and lighthearted and fabulous. Red is such a cliche, but she put a new spin on it. The whole family looked great. Michelle Obama is the first First Lady with Style since Jackie Kennedy. Nancy Reagan was trite, the Bushwomen dressed like they hadn't a clue and didn't care, and Hillary Clinton had minimal interest in fashion. Cindy McCain looked brittle and overdone. Laura Bush looked like an exhibit from the Wax Museum, with her glazed smile and eyes resting on the middle distance. Probably the most admired woman in America, alas.
Michelle Obama is close to 6 ft tall and normal size, i.e. neither chubby nor skinny. She can wear almost anything and she proved it on Election night. That dress and the designer, Narciso Rodriguez, are FABULOUS. She looked great! I wish she would have removed the black cardigan, but that probably would have upstaged her husband. She's worn many Narciso dresses throughout this election cycle and they ALWAYS look good on her. Forget about Jackie O, that was a different era. And Laura Bush - please spare me. Short, fat and a face that's been so pulled by some lousy Texas plastic surgeon that it makes her look like E.T. Maybe we'll see more of Narciso's dresses as time goes on. He deserves it and she deserves all the accolades for wearing hip, American designers. I could give or take Maria Pinto, but Thakoon is very trendy. Thank God for Michelle Obama, no more fat rear ends and stubby, short legs in the White House!
The Election Night dress was quite witty. I think of it as a deconstructed tuxedo. It looked fabulous on her. And I want her jewelry.
IMO the emphasis on black seems to be that the Obamas are, technically, in mourning. But red is the color of life and passion ... It's not the easiest of symbolism to pull off at the same time but I think Michelle really tried ...