London Flower Power
Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 4:28 PM 
Photo by Jeff Moore / Splash News
Media outlets, particularly those overseas, have been abuzz over Mrs. O's most recent ensemble, worn as the first lady left Westminster Abbey in Central London yesterday. Mrs. O wore a sheer tunic, adorned with layers of embroidered floral trim, over a pair of slim black pants and white tank. A polka dot Sonia Rykiel belt cinched the waist, and a layered cardigan in yellow with purple trim (Hanii Y perhaps?) topped the ensemble. Mrs. O's ToyWatch in ultra violet added the final punch of color. Should anyone recognize Mrs. O's tunic, we would love an anonymous tip!
Reviews have been a bit mixed (as they usually are when the first lady makes a bold fashion move). Of the look, New York magazine said, "Michelle Obama Can't Always be Perfect," while the Daily Mail named Mrs. O, "the First Lady of Flamboyance." Our take? We like that Mrs. O has fun with her style. Her ensemble seems to project a playful, bright mood, and who can fault that? (Kat, you inspired the title for this post! Just perfect.)
To see more ensembles from Mrs. O's trip to London this week, click here. We have to say, we've felt a bit conflicted about what to cover and what not to. Technically, Mrs. O and her daugters are on a private vacation. Some of the photos feel very intrusive (peering into car windows, etc.), so we'll only feature those where Mrs. O is making a more formal, public appearance.
Today the first lady (wearing an argyle J.Crew cardigan) and her daughters braved the rain to visit Leavesdon Studios, where the Harry Potter films are made. Hope they had fun!
Sonia Rykiel, ToyWatch
Reader Comments (256)
Love her confident attitude and carriage . . . not so much the outfit.
I love this woman! I love the way she sticks her 2 middle fingers upwards to the certified and uncertified fashion critics!
Love, love, love her...lol!
WOOOOWWWWW!!!!!!! That is exactly what I said when I saw this outfit. Its awesome in my opionion. How did she know to put all of that together like that? I want that outfit. It would be total winner here in Northern CA.
I'm coming to think that fashion is a regional thing....where you come from dictates a lot about how people view what is good or bad fashion-wise.
Plus, it seems when Mrs. O goes to London she pushes the envelope with her fashion choices, which is great. Remember the Junya Wantanabe cardigan anyone? London = fashion quirkiness.....how fun?!! :p
This is why I LOVE MICHELLE LAVAGHN ROBINSON OBAMA, she does not give a sh*t what bitter woman on a website has to say about her. She has the man, the kids, and the lifestyle that many desire. She is my shero, do you michelle.
@american-n-rome
Fashion is a regional theme. Americans women are more basic, dark colors, straight lines, BORING
Liberate our minds Michelle. This is a statement ensemble. And it is so fun and full of life! Yes, many would not wear it, because said many does not possess the gumption. Michelle chose to stand out.
Love the look! The only thing I would have done differently is to replace the black pants with white ones or a skinny jean. It's a very fun and fresh look that requires a confident woman to pull it off. She succeeded admirably. :-)
It's fine with me. . . maybe she wore it for Sasha, for her birthday. It seems that she's always thinking about her personal relationships for the event, not what the masses think, and I love her for that. It's cute and she's lovely.
New Video with glimpses of the White House Kitchen Garden:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQoIGNEw1OM
There is an important concept all Americans should keep in mind when they are traveling abroad: each of us is representing our country. This has nothing to do with a private vacation. It's a matter of the notoriously gauche way I thought Americans had learned not to act.
Furthermore, although I am not a Christian, I would never dream of visiting a church dressed this way.
Too cute.
Private vacation, she can wear whatever she wants....
LOL @ Eleroy - although I think it's a respectful gesture of her individualism. It strikes me as a liberating outfit. I just love it.
@ Leah D - hubba hubba Sam Kass. He's got a sexy voice too!
you know what, I like this outfit.
I'm conflicted. It's cute and summery and fun and British, and yet I can't help wondering:
What if it were worn with cleaner lines like a pencil skirt instead of trousers?
Or, what if the tunic ended at the bottom row of flowers instead of with that bit of white hanging down that makes it look apron-ly.
Or, what if it wasn't a tunic, but a sleeveless blouse covered with the flowers and cut to the waist (think Ann-Margaret!).
Unqualified love her her cardie-combo and that belt!
Mmmm. Well, this outfit has taxed the talents of the Obama-loving Brit fashion press. As well as fans everywhere.
What we have is the following: Charcoal pants, not very well cut, we have seen them before. A tank or camisole. Over these, a tunic style blouse with concentric ruffles, floral appliques, etc. Over this, a black and white belt with purple buckle. Over these, two cardigans, yellow and purple (yes, I know they are one lined/trimmed cardigan. But it looks like two). Black flats.
To me, this is like someone who wants to leave a hotel without paying the bill, so she layers on all her clothes so she won't alert the staff by carying a suitcase. In other words, she looks like a bag lady.
This is not a good look.
She is on vacation but she represents us, she knows she will be photographed. If she wants to dress down, that's fine. This is not dressing down. This is very bad taste.
Sorry to see she does not have ayone around her who will tell her "No."
Urghh, the tunic outfit makes it look as though she's wearing a very decorated APRON. I so wish she would hire a stylist, she could be presenting herself so much better. Also outfit did not seem respectiful for private tour of Westminster Abbey.
Here is a nice picture of one of the dresses wore by Mrs. Obama on this trip.
http://www.sheknows.com/articles/809391.htm
I don't care for this outfit but I don't think there is anything wrong with her wearing it. Michelle is a grown woman who clearly has a mind of her own thank jesus and wears what SHE likes which to me is the most important thing since the clothes are on her body.
Skip that ! Way too much, he tunic is kitch and bad for anyone's figure, the belt mismatched, the cardigans shorter than this incredibly no-no tunic and the slacks a minor fault.
Even chic Michelle has the right of enjoying a bad style day. Who doesn't?
I admire her anyway.
Chill out, she is on vacation with her daughters who are both under 12. She is having fun and you don't have to dress up to be at Westminster. I know, I worked there. Us ordinary folk, who didn't attend FIT or some such, she looks fine to us.
There has never been a more perfect outfit to ring in spring! :)
It hadn't occurred to me before some of you mentioned it, but I think this outfit with white pants would have been wonderful! That would have been total summer fun. The grey pants send a conflicting signal.
I am so surprised that most people do notlike this outfit.
When I saw I was wowed, I thought it was cute, very hippy, village NYC Style. LOVE IT.
Some would argue its not very first ladyishhh buy it's definitely modern. I wish I had the top and the cardigans.......I would wear it with leggings.
Le Sigh... I will confess that I didn't even read through the comments as I normally do since I know people will be absolutely brutal on this outfit. And actually, I don't like it either!
But still, it gives me a tiny bit of a smile. Mrs. O quite simply DOES NOT CARE what anyone says about her outfits. I really have no idea what it's like to feel that way. The freedom must be pretty incredible. So kudos to her!
Actually (having just read a few of the comments above me) Elaine Marie made the best observation: that this was Sasha's birthday and Mrs. O was trying to make it special all sorts of way including this kooky outfit. That makes perfect sense!
I think she and her advisors lost it here. She is not young enough to wear kid stuff.
My cute, sweet husband saw this photo on my computer screen and said, "That's a fun top she's wearing." I told him some people thought it was awful. He said she just looked like an American tourist having a good time. After a closer look, he said that the belt didn't do anything for him, but he liked the colorful bands on the top itself.
My husband rarely has an interest in fashion, but he actually liked this enough to comment on it. I thought it was worth posting. :-)
I wonder if Michelle tried to tie the grey pants to the outfit with the grey in that belt?
Anyway, I still smile when I see her in this, even though it seems to break a lot of fashion rules -- and maybe because of that.
Perhaps it is the belt that ruins the outfit, but I still think it look too young.
I have to say, "I love this outfit" and was just hoping to find out where I can find that tunic. I am glad not that many people like this outfit, so maybe I will have a better chance of purchasing one. I want the whole outfit it is so happy to me and approachable. I think for me I would get maybe a yelllow tunic with the same design, to compliment my skin tone.
If anyone knows where to get this tunic please post it.
Thanks in advance.
These comments are hilarious! People are on the verge of having aneurysms b/c Mrs. Obama's bright colors 'embarrass' them! Wow. Never did I think it would get this serious, but apparently Michelle needs help, a new pair of eyes, to stop her kids from dressing her or blindly following her stylist's advice (since Michelle doesn't have a mind of her own, duh!). Because if the folks on this or any other site don't like her clothes then it obviously means they're fundamental and universally bad choices. Too rich.
@ RH if you say she is representing "America" well guess what no body all over the world is complaining, everybody is tired of the "boring" and glad to report of something different and not uptight. I don't know if you have been to Westminister Abbey and alot of my family reside in England. Tourist are casual, its about enjoying the view. Folks are just happy to see a person who is has power but is just regular fun. She had done America PROUD. When I go to england, I do not go thinking i represent America, sorry, I go as myself and I don't think I represent anybody, neither does anybody from England coming to US present the English, I think that kind of mind set results in over generalization.
I think like some of said just say OK, i do not like the outfit but stop making over generalization statements in my opinion. An outfit does not determine whether she presents america or not. I did not like the color at all but again "I" am not that confident to wear something like that, so i cannot project on her. But again i respect your views. Lets just be mindful of over generalizations. There will be hits and misses if we are going to analyze her outfit for 4 yr, thank God it ain't me.
I've either loved or at least appreciated nearly all of Mrs. O's outfits to date. Even the more "daring" ones. But this one? Is just not flattering. At all. But I do like that she doesn't take herself or fashion too seriously and wears whatever it is she likes even though I'm sure she knew she would get flack over this outfit. Good for her.
Sorry to disagree with you all, BUT I FREAKING LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE this ensemble. I have no problem with it being worn to Westminister. I guess this is why I love Mrs. O style, she breaks all molds of a "traditional" first lady. Keeping being you Michelle.
For the record -- Noticed while looking at today's pix of London commuters coping with a 2-day subway strike that just started -- It looks cold! They're all wearing heavy jackets and some wool scarves, etc.
Michelle my belle, rock on sweetheart, rock on.
Love, Love, love this outfit. It looks like its straight off of a spring fashion runway. Perfect ensemble for touring on a European family vacation. The tunic is a work of art and the eclectic belt is a perfect match. Combining two lightweight coordinating sweaters is a creative substitute for a spring jacket.
I admire Mrs. O's for defining a fresh approach to the role of first lady. She is living out her life as Mom in Chief not at all as if she was the one in a fishbowl. She is a great example to her girls, and the girls of this world, to be their own healthy excelling self-confident selves.
The best representation a first lady can offer on behalf of Americans is that an average American product of our working class is fascinating the world by simply being her own unique self. It is time for a change to the waspish definition of appropriate. YES WE CAN!!!
I don't care where you live or how old you are , this outfit is AWFUL! Just as the Emperor had no clothes, the Empress has none either and apparently none of her staff or friends will speak up and tell her. Yes, she does represent the USA, no matter where she is. My 4th graders would have laughed themselves sill had I worn that outfit.
I definitely like this ensemble, it's definitely one of my favorite.
Although of course Michelle Obama represents America, just as I do when I visit London--the British are not loath to generalize from my voice, clothes, self presentation, let alone hers--the problem with this outfit is that it is too busy and not at all elegant--i.e., it makes you wonder if she really has taste. The outfit worn on D-Day was perfect--elegant, suitable, respectful. Do we really want to encourage FLOTUS to look like a Valley girl?
I dont like it at all.Looks like a 'costume'.
From a guy's perspective, I see nothing wrong with our first lady "dressing down" as I suspect some might put it, to play tourist with her daughters. Why this is inappropriate is beyond me I guess, but aside from looking a bit young for her age in these clothes, I don't see what's so offensive. Did anyone think she might have let her daughter pick it out? It kind of looks like Sasha.
Can we, and I know Michelle would wholeheartedly approve, throw the proverbial book of fashion do's and dont's out the window? I think some of us are suffering from whiplash, brought on by the sight of someone expressing that they are in fact an individual. We have cookie cutter homes, malls, restaurants, clothes, etc. This is what America has become. Some are left asking, "how dare she break the American mold?" Michelle, I have a sledge hammer in the garage if you need any more assistance.
Mrs. T., I eagerly look forward to your breakdown of this entire outfit and especially the necklace. And I am so wondering who is the designer of the tunic.
Please.FLOTUS is in her forties. Do we really want her to look like an anorexic valley girl?
@ Margaret Boerner
A "valley girl" are you kidding me?? That outfit says valley girl? Ok I laughed.. so you don't like one outfit and it gets a label. Wow!
Read your own comment again D- Day vs. I am spending time with my children.
Of all the comments I have read on this wonderful blog, to say "Do we really want her to look like an anorexic valley girl?" is the most ridiculous and insulting thing I have read thus far. I did not even like the outfit. Are you projecting your own feelings about yourself here because it seems like it. That was mean and uncalled for. You don't like it fine, but "anorexic valley girl" Are you serious??
Wow!! God bless your heart seriously, are you rep. boerner's wife or child by chance?
she should only wear that at camp david...
Forgive me Margaret, I do not understand the mindset that believes their definition of perfect, elegant, suitable, respectful is "the definition". Now granted if Mrs. O wore this outfit to say the funeral of a head of state, nine out of ten might agree she was stretching the etiquette envelope. But a tourist spot on a spring overseas vacation...I understand not liking the outfit, but it appears to me you are measuring suitability, etc., based on your own personal taste.
I usually don't engage in the bitter banter, but hey I've had a glass of wine.
Briana you take issue with Maraget Boerner 's opinion that her attire makes her look like "an anorexic valley girl." I laughed in amazement at that too. My issue is with her statement that Michelle's clothes in this London adventure make her "wonder if she really has taste."
My question is, "Margaret, do you really have taste?"
Go on my dear, let us count the ways.
Can't believe the message is lost on all the fashion know-it-alls...This trip is about the kids and she is in Mom in Chief mode friends-
And this is the absolutely purrrfect Mom-in-Chief outfit -
More power to our lovely flower!!!
Boazwife, you rock babe!