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)
Leah D...I'm kinda with you on this one. I thought it was a 'photo op', but, was trying to figure out why?? They do
slip out plenty of times with no photos. Why now? (Even though I enjoyed the picture!) Perhaps to settle the dust
VP Biden stirred up this week.
it was great meeting you today Mrs. T!!!
ps: the event was great, it is good to see the human side of the designers behind the clothes, and not just their names next to an article. You tend to get a sense of who they are and where they are coming from in their designs, great event!
Anyone have a name for the designer of the blouse in the below photo?
www(DOT)flickr(DOT)com/photos/whitehouse/3483999683/sizes/l/in/set-72157617357737487/
I don't get why some people think this was a photo-op. They were out the night before with their kids, was that a photo-op too? They have an agreement with the press for no pictures of the kids unless its a public event so there were no photos of that.
Anyhow, I love the outfit and its great they are continuing their date nights. They have influenced several other couples to incorporate the "date night" in their relationships, based on what I have seen in interviews on tv as well as people commenting online.
Saw a similar Alaia blouse - but it is about $550- ouch!
Here's my take on it.
When the Obamas let the press have their photo opportunity regarding a particular 'thing' such as the kids on the swings, walking the dog, or strolling in the moon light around the WH grounds... then that particular 'thing' has been done and the press is not itching to get those photos anymore and they will probably leave them alone in the future when they do those things.
Was their 'date night' a photo op, NO, not at all.
But the stroll in the moonlight was.
When the Obamas 'do not want to be filmed' the WH staff tells the press to 'put a lid on it for the day' and then there are no more photos. The only person that has free rein everywhere (except in the residence) and at anytime is Pete Souza.
I think it is time for a new photo of Michelle so we can all move on.
This is off topic but there is the cutest video up on CNN dot com in the POLITICS video section titled:
Ducklings tour White House
Mr. President did notice the laces of her architecture-like shirt had come undone. Michelle did not care. In an interview given to the NYT, she stated that Barack notices everything about her wadrobe. I suppose she knew full well that the shirt would be coming off soon after the stroll, so, in her practical mind, why bother?
On to the shirt. It looks like petals of a blossom shooting from her corseted waist. It is Gehry-esque in its mix of soldiness and whimsy.
Are those tracksuits she is wearing with the dressy shirt? I'm sorry, but doesn't work for me.
Point 1: Its their first date nite in ages.
Point 2: The weather is beautiful and why not ENJOY the weather and the sunset and the open air in spite of the press.
Not every moment or outfit must be over analyzed. They reminded of the many passing couples that I see strolling last nite. I also remember taking an post dinner stroll with my parents.
Good on the Obamas.
@That Other Mimi
Yes - at our family resort all the guests took a nightly walk after our "supper" meal. They termed this walk as "taking a constitutional". After all that delicious food the O's ate at Citronelle, they probably felt like a walk was in order!
@ Leah D,
Your last comment at 11:38 was on point. 'Date night' is not staged. They've been doing that for many years. But I read an article recently (can't remember where) that Michelle's staff in particular, headed by Chief of Staff Jackie Norris, have advised them that in order to decrease the demand for certain paparazzi shots, they may agree to let the press pool film them doing certain normal activities. Have they 'strolled' before when the press pool were told there's a 'lid for the day'---for sure. Now that they have some 'strolling' shots, it won't seem so special or unique the next time they do it and the demand goes down for the shot. That's how you can begin to have some type of normalcy in that big, beautiful white prison of a house.
The Obamas are also aware of what the image of their walking is in particular to married couples everywhere, especially to the AA community. So as a leader, he does need to show people what they actually do on a regular basis. To them, going out to dinner and taking a walk is normal. But to some people, it's out of the norm. You do have to show people from time to time you're not just walking the walk, but doing what you're supposed to. People need to see your actions and not just feel like they're being preached to from a podium during a speech or during an interview. They are sincere, but sometimes people don't believe what you do or how you behave as a family, aside from speaking events, unless they actually see it. Personally, I think I really enjoyed the film/photos of them walking because the South Lawn scenery is just gorgeous. I noticed it a lot when they were introducing Bo and they were running around with him--just beautiful landscape in the heart of D.C.
So, now that I've said my two cents on that topic, I shall move on.
you can tell some people posting have never gone on a ROMANTIC date, or experienced true romance? slam bam thanks gnight comes to mind based on some replies. unfortunately, hooking up seems to be all these posters know.
why in the world would our President and his wife need a PHOTO OP? they get photo'd all day everyday.
there is nothing photo op about going for a walk after eating a meal, specialy around their own home and maybe steal a few fleeting kisses by FLOTUS obama's garden.
judging by her shirt being loose the romance started even before they got out the limo.
i think this was a normal romantic moment. try it......
oh that picture of POTUS at the ny times site is gorgeous....so sexy that president of ours is.
Bevi, the Obamas reminded me of my family and growing up in the boonies. During the summer couples would take a stroll after supper. My grandma had a large front porch and we would watch the couples stroll by and wave at them. Good Times!!
If I were to caption this photo, I'd call it:
"SOME ENCHANTED EVENING"
I am amazed at how Mrs.O looks so confident & graceful in these shots - shoulders back, head up and long strides...
It's not just nice or commendable or the fact that ok...this might be a photo op (but who really cares)! No, it's freaking fantastic that this couple in the midst of everything going on and in spite of the "fish bowl" they live in, can still and do find time for each other, and make no bones about it!
Y'know, a stroll in your own back yard is not nearly as romantic when you have the press watching your every move! Well, I hope that "date night" continues to be part of their routine just for the sake of keeping some sanity and normalcy in their now very public lives.
Cheers!
Yes, That Other Mimi - I think Janelle presented a very substantial case and so my guess is it was a photo op of an activity that the Obamas have as part of their "couple" routine.
Great outfit, beautiful surroundings, the realities of holding the highest office in the land, a loving couple - next photo, please!
I wasn't crazy about the First Lady's Watanabe in London or the big bow in Prague but I hollered with laughter when she wore the other Watanabe and big bow combined. What a sense of self and confidence! Can you imagine in our own lives being criticized and analyzed and hated all over the media? I couldn't handle it. String or no string, intentional or not, I deeply admire Michelle Obama. I don't think that her husband could be President without her, it is so evident that he draws on her for strength.
Looking at some of the comments in this topic, it is indeed time for a new post. Too many speculations and assumptions, both positive and negative. We look at their pics. We don't know them!
@ That other Mimi
How do you know that it is their first date night in ages? Just because you haven't seen photos or heard of one recently doesn't mean it has not happened. Once again, we look at pics. We don't know them.
Mrs. A it was reported that it was one of their first date nites and the point is?
Here's a good article from the NY Times on the First Granny. She's loving Washington. I'm glad!
www(dot)nytimes(dot)com/2009/05/04/us/politics/04robinson(dot)html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss&pagewanted=all
That is incorrect. It was not one of their first.
Anyway, time for a new post!
Check this out Ladies and Gents! The Brazilians have turned our Mrs. O into a soccer player or cheerleader (IDK).... but this is too cute - she has fans all over planet earth! This is photo from the soccer match in Brazil. Apparently the guy next to her is supposed to the POTUS
www(dot)daylife(dot)com/photo/01Eggco47V2Sw?q=Michelle+Obama
Can't wait to see today's Cinco de Mayo pics.
The string was untied when they reached to the White House! They were home and taking a walk, and the shirt will be off as soon as she stepped in the White House anyway, so who cares about her untied strings? Do you care after eating a big meal with you untied your belt to feel comfortable? No! Because when you arrived home, you don't care about anything. Videos on the news shows that her string was tired after leaving the Restaurant. I wonder want transpired in the limo.
String untied in the limo? String tied when they left the restaurant? Snicker. Whatever. Is anyone else uncomfortable with the voyeuristic (is that even a word?) comments about the ties on Mrs. Obama's blouse? She probably sat on the darn things in the limousine. They had a lovely dinner out and took a post-dinner stroll. Not one of us is a close friend of either the President or the First Lady, so let's just leave the innuendo alone. Egad, leave them some dignity!
Just saw her on the Situation Room on CNN. The strings are tied and not hanging down, came untied in the car......
http://www.daylife.com/photo/02SE4uHaDX6PP
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0cby6jx8ej5lS
just in case you guys haven't seen this dress.
btw, she looks gorgeous here. just looking at them walking around the grounds is crazy because its like...they live there! Slaves built that house and now the daughter of slaves is the lady of it! I love America!
I have been reading this blog for months, but never posted. But I cannot let this simple, elegant out-for-dinner-with-my-guy outfit pass without comment. It's perfect - whether the tie is tied or not. I am 62 and still kicking (and shopping). Jackie O was my icon for decades, from the time she was in the White House until her last, sad walks in Central Park. But her look was so perfect that it didn't seem quite real. Michelle Obama has an effortless, realistic style that makes sense for her life, and many of our lives as well. I have the sense she probably likes it when everyone loves the way she looks, but she isn't going to change to get the rave reviews. I love that she has a real wardrobe and we see some of the same pieces again and again (love the Alaia belt, Michelle!). She may be working with a higher price point than most of us, but it's still her wardrobe and she's mixing it up and making it work. Brava!
Ohhhh I give in. I'm going to add my 2 cents worth too!
For the record I don't believe the walk was a photo op. I've never seen the Obama's do a photo op. They're either out and accepting that they are going to be photo'd, or they're not. If you take my meaning. In addition to which, it looks to be like they just wanted to take a look at the sunset after a huge meal - which, god knows, we've all done at one time or another - AND it looks to me as though that picture has been taken from, like, a MILE away. If it was a photo op that photographer would have been given the chance to get in focus at least!!!
Ohhh I feel so much better now.
So, nice outfit, adore the shirt, very Salvatore Ferragamo, liking the pop of colour, remind me what is the big deal about the shirt ties here people? Has no-one here ever had ties come undone in the course of an evening? Hmm?