A Saturday Evening Stroll
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 9:45 PM 
Photo by Jim Watson / AFP / Getty Images
President Mr. O and First Lady Mrs. O were out on the town for a dinner date at Citronelle this evening. Upon their return, the couple took a stroll on the South Lawn of the White House at sunset. For the evening, Mrs. O dressed in a crisp white shirt, worn with the collar up and neck open, projecting nonchalent elegance. A slight train and long ties laced at the back added extra flair to the non-basic basic.
The First Lady paired her blouse with cropped black pants and sandals, adding a punch of color with an azure blue clutch. (The shoes, we believe, are Jimmy Choo.) For those who watched Larry King Live on Thursday, we were struck by Patti Davis's observation that the Obamas have helped to highlight (perhaps unintentionally) the beauty of the White House property. With a glance at the photo above, the observation rings quite true. We have to say, all appears well and good at the White House this evening.
Update: We are just back from the New York Times Sunday with the Magazine event, which featured fashion critic Cathy Horyn, designers Narciso Rodriguez, Maria Cornejo and Thakoon Panichgul in a panel discussion. Cathy Horyn referenced the ensemble above, noting that Mrs. O was wearing Alaia. We found a similar Alaia blouse, with the same fish tail effect, pictured here.
On another note, we were delighted to meet up with LayoG and Kaitlin at the event! More to follow on that front later.
Reader Comments (131)
Perhaps she had other things to think about besides looking pretty for the cameras and our prying eyes. Maybe the president was looking at his wife and not the composition of her clothing. This is what I mean about, in my opinion, not every moment being worth analysis. They can't escape the cameras all the time. But we can choose to withhold our judgmentalism.
(And if someone wants to tell me "this is a FASHION BLOG," please, for the love of God, save it. I've heard it already 10,000 times. You've said your opinion, now I'm saying mine.)
@Mara - Mrs. O didn't forget to keep the bow tied. It was tied in pictures showing them leaving the White House. So, as the smart people we all are, I'm sure we can all deduce that the bow must've come undone as bows in the back of shirts do when people are walking, sitting, getting in and out of cars, etc.
I really can't believe it is so hard for people to imagine that the shirt strings simply loosened. Instead, we have to infer that Mrs. O forgot to tie the strings, or that President Obama didn't tell her the tie was loose, as if he noticed it.
While I agree this is a fashion site, I don't understand how criticizing or pointing out a loose string on an otherwise nice outfit is critiquing fashion. It's coming across as taking an obvious opportunity to be petty and judgmental, as opposed to being understanding.
But to each his own.
This video from their stroll last night was nice to view because you can see the gorgeous South Lawn and what Patti Davis mentioned she missed seeing when the Reagans were in the White House.
http://video.ap.org/?f=INLAF&pid=r2SimNbY6QYC858m5w26TLaGGSsHIyGo
This video from their stroll last night was nice to view because you can see the gorgeous South Lawn and what Patti Davis mentioned she missed seeing when the Reagans were in the White House.
www(dot)video(dot)ap(dot)org/?f=INLAF&pid=r2SimNbY6QYC858m5w26TLaGGSsHIyGo
This picture makes me very happy! And maybe MIchelle ate a lot at dinner and untied the string!
To the editors of this great blog, is there any way you could work with a CSS expert or blog designer to move the comment text closer to the commenter's name, and to create more space between the text and the name of the previous commenter? The equidistance of the text between the previous commenter's name and the commenter's name is very confusing. So many people here get mixed up on which name is associated with which comment.
Thanks for the video Janelle!
@Janelle - thanks so much for the video. It was great!
@Christina -I share your sentiments.
@IVA - I marvel at your diplomacy!
Many bloggers have said over the months that the inner beauty of Michelle enhances the actual clothes she wears. So for me, I can't really separate the clothes from the woman. Fashion and Style.
who cares if the bow became untied? it is so nice that they have time together away from the fray. they are first and foremost a couple and from all appearances, happy and in love!What a lovely example to set-appropriate and gracious. I truly enjoy the scenes and photos of the White House and property. The President always calls it the 'peoples' house'. I love seeing them enjoy the historic home!~
I've been a lurker for far too long. I've been a fan of this site since I happened upon it in the fall of 2008. I even have it as an icon on the my iphone right next to my Wachovia icon. I check my money daily and I check for Michelle daily. I savor every moment. I would not label it obsession at this point; I just simply admire this woman.
I do notice that there is a groundswell forming to "bring her down." But my question is "why?" All of a sudden private purchases are being labeled extravagant. The commenters on this site and by far on some of the other sites are decrying the fact that she spends quality time with her loving husband who just happens to be our president.
I finally decided to post after watching the video posted by janelle. I smile just watching her walk. Heels clacking, hips swinging, hand held tight by her love, Michelle please do not let up.
Lovely pictures! They made me remember an interview that the POTUS and FLOTUS did, I think, right after the election, where the POTUS was asked about what he missed or was going to miss and he said simple things like taking a walk with his wife. MrsO teased him and said something about it being too cold to take a walk. I am glad it warmed up so the POTUS could get his walk.
President Obama deserves a weekend here and there with all he's had to deal with since BEFORE taking office. Also considering Biden's remarks the other day, I think the Obama's stepping out for dinner lends confidence to the American People; if it's safe for them to go out with the h1n1 causing much distress, then maybe everyone else can function normally too.
Larry King/CNN will be repeating the episode about Michelle
Obama tonight. 9pm & 12 midnight EST.
@Bevi - I was one of them. I admitted that my admiration of Mrs. O makes me a bias viewer of her clothing. LOL.
I certainly think some people were just stating the obvious that Mrs. O's string was long. Others were just being picky. Either way, I had a feeling when I saw the picture that someone would say something about it, and since it's not a big deal and since most of us know why it was long and forgive Mrs. O for being human, pointing out the string wouldn't come across well - even if no harm was intended.
The Sunday Observer from The Guardian has a lovely tribute to Michelle from 12 women writers: Yes Michelle Can.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/may/03/michelle-obama
What a beautiful picture. I am so proud of our First Family.
My husband, (who is not a romantic at all) suggested we follow the Obama's example and have a date night for ourselves at least every couple of weeks!! I almost fainted. Our date nights have been fantastic. We find ourselves talking about things we haven't talked about for years.
Oh, and I think Michelle looks crisp, comfortable and very lovely. Black and white is always right!!!
In my younger days I used to wear leather corsets - the trick to keep long strings tied is to double tie them. I don't think that I was being picky when I first mentioned the strings. It actually took me awhile to figure out what was dangling behind her because they are quite long.
Sorta like the photo awhile back of Laura Bush with her sunglasses dangling off the front of her shirt and optically it was a mystery - and some of us thought they were part of her necklace until someone figured it out.
I think that people are always going to be 'picky' regarding what we see in a photo, it doesn't mean that we are picking on the person. I have seen people on this thread talk about wrinkles, hems, and other tiny things before and there wasn't such an outrage then. As long as we are not trolls and are stating an obvious fact it does not mean that we are being negative but just being observant.
I can't wait to hear about the posters meeting Mrs. T! I hope LayoG and Kaitlin recount their experiences as well as Mrs. T! That would be fun to get all perspectives.
That's really fun. I am more than a little jealous - lol - no, seriously I am a little green.
Could this be the same white blouse?
www(DOT)flickr(DOT)com/photos/whitehouse/3483999683/sizes/l/in/set-72157617357737487/
If not, anyone know the who's the designer?
Bevi, agreed! I will see if Layo G and Kaitlin are up for contributing their perspectives.
Leah D, I updated the post this afternoon. At the NYT panel discussion, Cathy Horyn referred to Mrs. O as wearing Alaia yesterday. I've linked to a similar blouse in the post.
You just can't go wrong with a crisp white blouse, and this one is perfect with the sleeves pushed up. Love it.
www.frockaholics.com
That's not a stroll.....that's a photo opportunity. Do you really think there just happened to be a photographer around?
@desterwind
Thanks a bunch for posting that link to the article at guardian.co.uk! All of them writers were great!
lol....meant to say "all of those writers were great."
I guess the President did notice her strings, but alas, Mrs. O didn't care! LOL!
http(colon)//thisweekwithbarackobama(dot)blogspot(dot)com/2009/05/in-case-you-missed-it-obamas-had-date(dot)html
@Not Enamored. The "photographer" was a member of the mainstream media press pool that follows them around WHEREVER THEY GO. Mr. and Mrs. O, especially Mr. O, have to be followed around by the press whenever they leave or do anything considered public. It's not their choice. Notice how the pictures are from far away - the press kept their distance because they are relegated to a certain area of the White House.
Date night is their thing, they've been doing it long before Mr. O even ran for president.
Casual chic, what a lovely couple.
@Not Enamored.
IVA is right. The press pool that follows them everywhere, even during moments we would consider private or unremarkable. They get no privacy. Check out this cnn video i posted yesterday that talks about press pools and the Obamas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzM6XCisBcI&feature=related
that's supposed to say "before he ran for president."
IVA dear, let's save our breath, there's no convincing the cynical...
Thanks for the link to the guardian articles, didn't particularly care for a few of them but absolutely loved this by one of the writers regarding Mrs O:
"Most importantly, she makes her husband seem like a superhero and a human being at the same time. Everybody loves a superhero; but will everybody vote for one? Almost certainly not. Obama normalises, neutralises: she instructs her staff not to clean up after the children because they must learn to do it themselves; her mother has moved in upstairs; when an aide comes to tell her the President is on his way home, she says, "No kidding", because she can already hear the helicopter.
In a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, she said: "Barack is a human being with flaws, but those flaws are not fundamental. They don't hit upon things that are intolerable to me. In terms of his core values, he has never disappointed me. He is a very consistent person - which is why I knew unequivocally that he would be a phenomenal president."
That Barack Obama is loved like this at all makes you love him more; that he is loved in this way by this woman makes him the most powerful creature on earth - all the more so because you feel she would not let him abuse that power. The personal has never been so fortuitously political."
Gaby Wood
I know, Audrey, I guess I'm feeling feisty tonight!
Great quote you pulled from that article, too. It's really true.
And thanks IVA for that clip from MSNBC...it does capture so many pertinent moments and puts things in perspective for those who would nitpick and query...
Yes siree, the president did notice and play with the lose strings...
"loose strings..."
I guess one could say that there are many on this site who ARE enamored, myself included. I get such great snippets on the Obama presidency from articles and other sources that you gals bring in. All you ladies (and gents) are a great resource.
Keep being feisty, IVA!
And how about this photo of POTUS on the cover of the New York Times Magazine?
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/magazine/index.html
And a little photo recap on AOL - these shots are from familiar appearances, but there are a few that may not have been widely circulated.
http://news.aol.com/main/politics/article/obama-date-night/459991?icid=webmail%7Cwbml-aol%7Cdl1%7Clink3%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Fmain%2Fpolitics%2Farticle%2Fobama-date-night%2F459991
Mrs.T,
I did see your update.
But Michelle is wearing a white blouse in 'this' 'older' photo:
www(DOT)flickr(DOT)com/photos/whitehouse/3483999683/sizes/l/in/set-72157617357737487/
And I am dying to know who designed 'this' blouse. I've never heard anyone mention this particular blouse before here.
http(colon)//thisweekwithbarackobama(dot)blogspot(dot)com/2009/05/in-case-you-missed-it-obamas-had-date(dot)html
TIME magazines photographer talking about those amazing pics.I love hearing about Barack and Michelle.So cute!
I'm beginning to find this site confusing. Some seem to have "rules" about what can be talked about and the rules change. As far as I understand, Mrs. T is the only one who can set rules. Perhaps a weekly reminder of the blog's purpose could be posted? or clearly stated to the side on the home page?
I reread the thread and was puzzled about comments about "pickyness." Other than a few troll-like posts, I saw Leah saying she didn't like the strings, and I said I don't like strings, and there were a few other comments. Why isn't this okay? Despite someone saying don't say it's a fashion blog, gonna say it - it's a fashion blog!
If someone took my question about whether strings and ribbons are a "fashion trend" as criticizing them for being untied, that isn't what I meant. Clearly they'd come undone. I just don't like most strings and ribbons, done or not, and was wondering. I think they looked odd on Inauguration Day and on one other outfit. I'm in my 60s, disabled, get out about 3 hours a week when someone drives me on errands, and dress in shorts, flip flops, and buy at KMart and discount stores when I buy anything, which is rare. But I love everything about clothes, always have; made doll clothes endlessly as a kid, and I'm here to enjoy and learn. Please make that easier and more pleasant.
As for some saying we shouldn't comment on the date night clothes in that photo, I think you should take that up with Mrs. T. because she posted the photo, and comments on MO's clothing are natural and expected on this blog. People would be complaining if she *hadn't* posted a photo of a known event. Can't please everyone!
zeromariacornejo is the BEST. the clothes are timeless, fit well and the people who work their are fabulous. everything that i own from there, i wear time and time again and get compliments all of the time. it is money well spent and no i am not some person who was paid to say this! i am a real life person who also wears go international from target....
Elaine B, it's my observation that some people become cranky when there is not much to talk about. This outfit did not deserve a lot of attention, and the dangling ties look odd to many, including me. Others think their OK. That should cover it.
Re last post,
..."they're OK"....
Elaine B is so right. This is a fashion blog--and most of us come here to read about fashion as it relates to Michelle Obama. If there is something we don't particularly like, it's natural to mention it. It DOES NOT mean that we don't like Mrs. Obama (most of us really really like her). I had to laugh about the strings though---what if the President had stopped and retied them (like most of our husbands would have). THAT would have caused talk---so he didn't--or else he didn't notice them. I say--comment about the strings--laugh about it--or whatever. It's just not a federal case.
Michelle looked great for her date. They looked like they were having fun. That is fun to watch---and makes most people happy.
I believe the 'date night' photos and video were done on purpose - to show to everyone that the POTUS and FLOTUS are healthy and not ill with the flu.
There have been many times that POTUS and FLOTUS have been out-and-about out of the White House when they've attended events and photos are not taken or released. Any 'true private moments' are not going to be photographed, you can bet that when we see any photo taking it's been planned and approved of in advance.
Bevi - that cover shot is really cool. It looks like him, but has a animated quality to it, if that makes sense.
Carmen - I saw that video earlier. Very touching. She was clearly moved by the trip to Iraq. I have a feeling the President was too. His remarks during the press conference about the military was very genuine and I bet moments like Iraq, and others that we may not see, really move him and give him an appreciation of the military in a way that he probably was never able to experience before becoming C-in-C.
MAYBE THE PRESIDENT UNTIED THE STRINGS IN THE LIMO!!!!
THEY LOOK GORGEOUS :-)
16 years and still going strong. How do they do it?
@ Leah D - I thought about that, but then I remembered they have public events planned for tomorrow, and Tuesday, so I don't see how necessary it is to prove they don't have the flu if they're out and about next week anyway. Mrs. O is even going to NYC to the UN and to speak at the Time event on Tuesday. So I don't see where the need to have their date night (of all events) and the subsequent walk, purposely photographed to show they don't have the flu if they're going to be out and about this week anyway. Furthermore, I haven't heard that people are particularly concerned about their health, apart from POTUS, but that was cleared up.
But who knows. It could be that they wanted people to know they didn't have the flu, or it could be that they wanted to take a walk and didn't care about the press pool that's always with them. If I were to be a true blue cynic, I'd think they were promoting their healthy relationship before I'd think they were trying to show they didn't have the flu.
Touche, Leah D. The first couple can and does have moments of privacy if they want to. I do think this was made public on purpose. In a way, it is sort of a booster to our morale and let us view them in a calm, happy, and optimistic moment in the midst of all this chaos.
I think the strings are OK...Anyway who cares, she wasn't at an official event......