Wednesday
Apr012009
Mrs. O Sparkles at Downing Street
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 5:44 AM 
Photo by Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
While yesterday we saw not one, but two grown-up dress and coat combinations, Mrs. O has brought out her youthful charm today, dressed in a J.Crew ensemble that has the promise of Spring. Here she arrives at the Prime Minister's residence, 10 Downing Street, dressed in J.Crew's Crystal constellation cardigan embellished with beads, rhinestones and sequins, paired with J.Crew's Dazzling-dots pencil skirt in mint green jacquard.
Reader Comments (285)
Donna, thanks so much for the link to the interview with our fabulous blog host. Mrs. T, you really shined!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama;_ylt=AqaF8UJZNmU05eZECZFtJApsaMYA#photoViewer=/090401/481/9c7736c5bdd045b8809de1da47f2d49e
Just saw it on CNN! She is wearing a black cardigan with white tank and white pearls.
I just saw a clip of them inside without the coat on. Michelle is wearing a elbow length black jacket, cream (white) shell and black skirt. Conservative, yet fresh with her new hairdo. I really expected color but Mrs. O always surprises me.
I just saw a picture on Yahoo News of the Obamas with the Queen. I dont like it. Its a black skirt, with white blouse and black cardigan. Not what you would expect for this important visit.
Agreed Jenna. She has a beautiful face and hair, I think. I know she's been adamant that she's not the sidekick or political wife, but there are times when she really needs to accept some advice. She could look extraordinary.
oh I have not seen any more pictures of clips. any linkies?
The outfit for meeting the Queen is neither here nor there for me. I don't think it's bad, but definitely not a "wow" moment. She went for super conservative and decided to play it safe. I can't blame her.
This outfit makes the 10 inches of new snow outside melt in my eyes.
Enjoying all the comments. So much fun! Being from a state where we can’t wait for the snow to melt (Michigan)…love the outfit. Gives me the sense that Spring will come! Even though here in Northern Michigan we may be last on the list. Just wanted to mention that the UK has some great fun homegrown clothing lines that are within or comparable to JCrew/ Banana Republic as discussed above. One of my favorites being, Joules Clothing.
Can't find a thing!!!
just saw the outfit for meeting the queen, she DEFINITELY played it safe.....I was hoping for her to be daring
but better to look beautiful and safe, than to make the wrong move
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
She's still lovely, though!
I think I would have gone with a dress for the visit with the Queen, but what Michelle's wearing is perfectly appropriate and very conservative.
I know she's got a lot of help and advice, but it must be so hard to calibrate all these different outfits just right, with each occasion having its own particular tone and protocol. And knowing that you're under micro-scrutiny at every moment. And Michelle hasn't even arrived in France yet, where the fashion stakes will be even higher!
I wonder how her girls are reacting to seeing their mom on this incredible adventure?
apparently it's not a skirt and blouse, it's a jason wu dress. it's all right -- i think it would probably look great without the cardigan, but we can probably all agree that it would not have been smart to show up sleeveless for this. (just imagining the uproar makes me tired.) anyway, FLOTUS is awesome no matter what she wears.
I really would have loved to see her in color. I liked the cardigan, skirt, and especially the hair--but Mrs. O needed color and one of her signature sparking brooches. The outside overcoat was really something but the black underneath.....
The only thing I can think of is, she must have been super nervous or wanted to be comfortable. But still a darker color other than black would have been better. She was so springy and light this morning. Well, you can't win them all I guess.
just saw the outfit and I think it is very chic. serious but not stodgy.
OK, having finally seen the pictures, I really love her hair and make up. But compared to the three gorgeous outfits she's worn in the last two days, this one is rather a letdown though she does look beautiful. I guess she decided this was the time to be really conservative and not make any kind of splash. I guess I understand, though I am disappointed.
Luckily, a fancy dinner is the next event! I can't wait to see her all glammed up.
So much to absorb in such a short period of time! Just saw the Michelle looking ravishingly lovely in black and white. demure, conservative and safe. Her hair and makeup were lovely. I can't imagine the stress she must be under! She did good.
Jenna, I'm with you, I like this outfit, probably because I can duplicate it easily in my closet YAY; some color would have been nice but it's conservative which is acceptable for the occasion. Can't wait to see tonight's outfit. I'm loving this way too much
Hey Rachel, where did you get the info that it was a Jason Wu dress?
Well, that changes the look somewhat, since it's a dress and not separates. And if you look closely, it's not just a simple skirt. It has some pleating detail that is really cool.
Still...for a conservative look, I would have preferred the Thakoon outfit from yesterday. I don't hate this outfit but it doesn't seem like a very Michelle look. She doesn't even have a brooch!
I am eager to see what she's wearing for the next event.
Found one! Yes, safe and demure.
sorry, i meant an isabel toledo dress (the gorgeous coat was jason wu).
omg u guys come on michelle looks gorgeous. of course shes going to play it safe they all do michelle isnt stupid. besides they will have a dinner with the queen later on tonight
Mrs O looks beauitful and graceful - for someone who has been on her feet non-stop.
Mrs kept her black coat on for the private meeting with the Queen. And how cool is the First Couple, they presented the Queen with an ipod (which had one of her speeches about America taken in 2007).
After thinking about it I think she looks appropriate because this is not a state visit, where she would have dressed up to the nines. This is a getting to know you visit, which is quite unusal because the queen normally meets heads of state during state visits. But she requested the visit. I think she went conservative because theres so many protocols when meeting the queen I bet she didn't want to insult her.
sorry guys can we have some links because I only saw a clip very quickly on msnbc. pictures? anyone? I am feeling like a looser at not finding these!
she looks pretty in the photos w/the queen and i like the detailing of her skirt, but the outfit is rather blah and kind of matronly. i guess i'm alone in not loving her hair like that, i love it when it's completely swept up but the half and half look isn't my favorite. i find myself wishing she'd worn a beautifully tailored, jewel toned skirt suit instead, with one of her trademark brooches. oh well can't wait to see what she wears tonight.
Here's my take, y'all. There's nothing wrong with the outfit. It was a perfectly sweet outfit for meeting the Queen. But it would also be a perfectly sweet outfit to wear to your child's graduation, or to a concert hall, or to view an art exhibition. In other words, there was no "wow" there for such a wow moment. Secondly, after the bright sunshiny outfit this morning, I thought the black and white was dour. And yet another cardigan. I don't know why there seems to be this love of cardigans, but I think on Mrs. Obama, her cardigans can bring down what could otherwise be a nice outfit. I just found this look anti-climatic. I don't know what it is about these big events, but the bigger the event, the more boring the outfit will be. But again, the queen is an old unfussy woman, and I can see why Mrs. O would find a simple unfussy outfit to be the best choice. The last thing she needs are pictures of the queen giving her funny looks.That said, I think overall, she's been on point with the fashion. And if you ask me, I think her outfit was no more boring than what Mrs. Sarkozy wore to meet the queen.
mrs. o looks so nice, i don't know how she pulls this off. staying true to her own style and still looking fantastic in any instance. luv her.
i wish this was not mortgage time of the month. i want that cardigan so much. i love how you can dress it up a bit like mrs. o or down with jeans the way they have it on the jcrew site. should i splurge?
there r pictures with cardigan, but there are also pictures with a overcoat. that coat is very nice thou.
Sierra they don't have dinner with the Queen as this is not a State visit. There is an evening reception at Buckingham Palace, that's all. After the reception the dinner will be held at 10 Downing Street at 8pm.
Gosh, that COAT she was wearing over this outfit is amazing. I am looking around for a good picture of it but I am sure we will see it again.
And looking at the outfit itself again.... I mean, what can I say, She looks beautiful. Her hair style is lovely. I think I was picturing a colorful dress, something in a print, and a body-hugging silhuette. I think she wanted to avoid any headaches or controversies, which poor Michelle has seen plenty of in the past. So I totally understand and I have no doubt she will wow us plenty during the rest of the trip, as she already has.
Ok here are the pictures I found on Yahoo:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/President-Barack-Obama/photo//090401/481/e3d1fec72ddd4fe7ba4ef6cc5f46fa99//s:/ap/20090401/ap_on_re_eu/eu_obama#photoViewer=/090401/481/9c7736c5bdd045b8809de1da47f2d49e
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/slideshow/ALeqM5gMuowwCx36147QhpKVYx2hdxxvsw?index=0
Yay!
toi22 - the cardigan is sold out right now, so you have a chance to save up for it if jcrew decides to resupply!
Politico.com is saying that the dress was Isabel Toledo, and the coat was Jason Wu. I didn't know Wu did coats that nice. I would have thought it was a Toledo. I wonder if they have it wrong. Anyway, Politico.com has a video and info.
Mrs O's black cardigan, ruched skirt and pearls a look we've definitely seen on her before, and more recently to visit D.C.'s Capital Charter School (worn with a stripe blouse).
I am sure she was trying not to upstage the queen and she is also being mindful of the tense political times, but the black Michael Kors gym dress would have been a better option.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Obamas-Arrive-At-Buckingham-Palace-To-Meet-The-Queen/Article/200904115253780?lpos=UK_News_Carousel_Region_1&lid=ARTICLE_15253780_Obamas_Arrive_At_Buckingham_Palace_To_Meet_The_Queen
Pic with the queen
Pictures of MO meeting the Queen.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Obamas-meet-Queen-Elizabeth-II/ss/events/wl/040109obamasqueen#photoViewer=/090401/ids_photos_wl/r3331223850.jpg
Did Michelle have a fallout with Maria pinto or what?
I haven't seen her in Maria pinto's clothes for long...anybody has the scoop on that?
Christina I enjoy your comments.
I think the cardigan and skirt is a knock-out. So fresh and American in approach, but a classy reminder of the timelessness of a nice sweater and skirt
ensemble. What better way to show off American style than with an iconic label. True that the J. Crew prices of this outfit are toward the high end, but a nice thought nonetheless.
life101, no there was no fall out with Maria Pinto though people are always asking about it! She actually wore a red Maria Pinto dress a month or two ago.
I agree that it's odd though. She used to be Michelle's favorite designer, but she has been pretty much replaced by Jason Wu. I do miss her clothes. They were absolutely amazing on Michelle.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1166490/When-Barack-met-Elizabeth-The-First-Families-Britain-America-meet-tea.html
the dress she is wearing has some interesting detail (finally found some pics). It has tull under the skirt part and very fitted on top with maybe a belt or detailing at the waist. very nice. I think the pictures do not do it justice.
I also don't think there is any fall out with Pinto. She still wears her stuff no? and she has a whole week of outfits so let's see if she is int he rotation.
Ok I have pictures that are awaiting moderation but while we wait can someone explain to me why the Queen would have a handbag on her arm while greeting the President and First Lady. Honestly I mean no disrespect to her and I have seen this before. Is this a British tradition? I just don't understand why you would be carrying your purse around with you in your own house. ???
That outfit she wore to board AF1 would have been a better choice for meeting QE, methinks.
Oh well. Y'know, fashion and style and taste are so subjective. She doesn't have bad taste -- it's just not *my* taste. And, really, when you factor in her accomplishments and her credentials as well as the task at hand . . . well, it's really just a dress and a pair of shoes, right? Let's not get it twisted.
She looks gorgeous! I especially love the details on the First Lady's top, and the pearls add elegance to the overall look. Mrs. Obama is both statuesqe and graceful, not an easy task.
Jenna, thanks for ur answer. btw, the red dress u are talking about, is it the one she wore when they met the Bushes at the white house? If so, what about after that event, i mean, has she worn another Maria Pinto dress?
I don't know, maybe i'm just too biased toward Maria Pinto..lol
Well I am always happy when Mrs. O wears something with a vintage "look" so I love the sweater, nicely done and perfect for what she and Mrs. Brown were going to do. I also liked the navy blue dress (or set) that Mrs. Brown with the ruffle button placket and collar.
I think she did what any good hostess should do, which is to let the guest shine.
On the other hand the black set Mrs. O wore (awesome coat) to see the Queen was spot on as it was sober and allowed the Queen to shine in her "think pink" dress.
The Queen rarely moves an inch without that handbag.... it's a British institution in its own right. I've heard two theories: firstly that it's a good way to not have Spare Hand Syndrome because you've always got something to fiddle with. Watch The Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Charles and you'll see that they fiddle with their cuff links for want of standing around doing nothing. Secondly, it's a damned great house, and you wouldn't want to walk four miles (at 80-something years old), to go and get a a handkerchief from your room. But no, the rest of us don't do it. (My mum does, but that's a whole other conversation about "normal".)
I just watched a clip of the meeting on BBC News. Prince Philip managed to put his foot in it within minutes, as per usual! Barack said he'd had meetings with the Russians, the Chinese, and he had managed not to fall asleep in any of them, and Philip chimed in with a jovial "Can you tell the difference between them?!"
Oy oy oy... he always manages it.