Sunday
Aug302009
Honoring Senator Kennedy
Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 4:27 PM 
Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images
Image by Jewel Samad / Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O and the president joined in ceremonies to honor the late Senator Edward Kennedy this weekend in Boston. For funeral services held at the Basillica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Mission Hill, Mrs. O wore the same Moschino bow blouse she wore to visit The Vatican earlier this summer. Arriving at Boston's Logan Airport the evening before, Mrs. O wore a Sophie Theallet shirtdress, first seen this spring, belted with her famous Alaia.
tagged Alaia, Moschino, Sophie Theallet
Alaia, Moschino, Sophie Theallet
Reader Comments (89)
Sorry, but I must agree with those who have offered the opinion that Mrs O's black funeral esemble was too informal. When viewed from the back during the ceremony, the blouse sort of gushed out under the shortie cardigan. Yes, she should add a few suit jackets to her wardrobe.
Speaking personally as somone who has to appear in public, although I prefer the feel of looser clothing like cardigans, sometimes a suit jacket or at least a tailored dress is called for in the case of formal occasions, funerals, courtrooms, etc. It's just the way it is.
I do love that black bow blouse and hope to see it more. I also love her full gathered skirts with flats on less formal occasions.
One week prior to Senator Kennedy's death and furneral, my husband died. I decreed that no black should be worn at the Memorial Service, because my husband didn't like black. Our entire family wore reds, oranges and yellows. Whether or not, Mrs. O should have worn a suit or not is not important. What is important is that she was there and gave comfort to Mrs. Kennedy.
I think this blog started out to be fashion fun, what Mrs. O wears and which designers she chooses. Now it has become something else. Some people criticize because they don't
like the style of an outfit but others blame Mrs. O for poor choices. Come on, people, if you
don't like a bow, a belt, shorts or a belt just say it and the rest of us shouldn't take it as an insult to the First Lady.
NOW THAT IS HOW YOU STEP OFF AIR FORCE ONE -
She looks great !
What Mrs. O wore to Sen. Kennedy's funeral was more than appropriate. There is no law that says a first lady must wear a suit to a funeral. Please. Jackie O didn't wear a suit to her own husband's funeral. Again, screw protocol.
With that said, I personally hate the sandals. Its the first thing I've seen on her that I truly do not like. However, with that said, the sandals made me smile. Because they truly signified that we cannot put her in a box, just like President Obama. Its no wonder his SS code name is Renegade. I love her boldness. She knew those sandals would get a conversation going. And she didn't even care.
FLOTUS Obama will no down as the more free-spirited and bold FLOTUS ever!
@ Belinda Sabin,
Well said. I couldn't agree with you more.
Belle, the same thought crossed my mind. I am sure she chose that blouse because of the connection.
The funeral outfit is not one of her greatest moments. And with all due respect, I am tired of Mrs. Kennedy being the standard by which Mrs. Obama is compared. The "if Jackie did it, then Michelle can" notion is getting old. Mrs. Obama is her own person who has her own style.
She is a public figure, and whether it is right or not, the rules are different for public individuals (as kbarch mentioned). Being married very young to someone often in the public, I had to learn this. I made several mistakes and now that I reflect on it I appreciate the honest, yet, positive criticism I received from those who cared about how I presented myself and represented others. A piece of advice that someone shared with me is that what might read well in person, doesn't always translate on photographs and tv.
Mrs. Obama isn't oblivious to fashion chatter about her, and at times by many of her fashion choices, I sometimes wonder if she enjoys the attention a tiny bit (which isn't uncommon).
Mrs. Obama is human, and being human one can't help but fall into weakness. And her fashion choices as of late have been weak at best.
I thought she looked lovely. However, like Rocky, I had a few fleeting thoughts about the ensemble. I am Mrs. O's age and can appreciate her fashion choices. I think it's been a long time, since we've seen a young, fashion foward First Lady in the White House. ( Mrs. Kennedy.)It's going to take some in the public time to adjust.
I have read many books on previous FL's and the Royals. They usually travel with 'mourning attire'.
I find it a little hard to believe that Mrs. Obama deliberately chose to repeat the black bow for the reasons suggested here. I think she wore it because that's simply what she felt like wearing.
I mean . .. for heaven's sake. It's obvious she likes to look pretty and she has her own sense of taste and style (as we all do). But, I don't think she puts that kind of thought into what she wears. I know very few people who do -- except for people for whom fashion is their life and livelihood. I'm thinking Anna Wintour and her ilk.
Sometimes a blouse is simply a blouse. Let's dial it back a bit.
@belinda sabin, thank you so much for your post, I wanted to comment similarly but decided against it because I did not want to create a firestorm but you said it well without being offensive.
I remembered how my parents admired Eleanor Roosevelt a woman who was not a 'great beauty' or a 'fashion icon', my father used to say, she could be president herself!!! I loved Betty Ford who so courageously fought cancer and addiction and wasn't afraid to speak out about it even though it was unacceptable at the time to do so. I admired Nancy Reagan for the passion and loyalty to her husband as he said his 'long goodbye'. It takes courage and strength for Laura Bush to retain such grace and dignity (even if she wore boxy suits) in the face of her husband being ridiculed and disrespected. Can anyone remember the stoic strength of Pat Nixon as she stood beside her husband the day they were put out of the White House; what she must have been feeling inside? Now that is the strength and beauty of a woman.
(And who said she was not fashionable? http://www.joecarvajal.com/Pat_DickNixon.jpg)
And what can be said about the survivability and power of Hillary Clinton in her golden rod pantsuit....imagine what the lovely Michelle must feel having her pre-teen daughters viciously attacked in the media, how she must comfort her husband as he deals with the 500,000+ plus people who will probably loose their jobs this month? In the history of First Ladies no woman has had to deal with what she has had to deal with in the first 8 months of a presidency.
She is tall and statuesque has a face and body shaped by the Creator and not by plastic surgery. She is at her most beautiful this week with her magnificent skin burnished by the vacation sun. She is a real woman in every distinctive curve. When was the last time a man looked at you the way "he" looks at her.
Pardon me, but as I am rapidly loosing by battle with cancer, I am seeing things through different eyes. When you are facing death you quickly find out what is TRULY appropriate. Comforting the Kennedy family is appropriate, not whether or not she is wearing a cardigan or a jacket. Now don't misunderstand me, a jacket may have looked more “sophisticated”. I don't like that blouse or those sandals but I will not strip her of her humanity because of them.
So here is a suggestion, the next time First Lady Michelle Obama is wearing something that you absolutely abhor, imagine that it is also your last day to be alive, then express your right to free speech accordingly.
I love Michelle Obama even in those silly sandals; I'm sorry I won't be around the enjoy the other fun things she will startle you with.
Enjoy.....life
@ the other jenna - I am crying behind my computer at work from the heart-warming, and heart-wrenching comment you just wrote. We are complete strangers, but I am sooo incredibly sorry about your illness and what seems to be the sad prognosis for you. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
You have summed up my feelings about Mrs. O and following her style. I have said numerous times that I have had moments where I don't like her outfit, or don't "get" her ensemble, but I just can't bring myself to making the negative value judgments that some people feel the need to make about her, when they express their dislike of what she is wearing at a given time.
More and more I see pictures of our First Family, and the burdens of the office are showing on Mr. O. He is weighted down...it is obvious. And it has only been 8 months. Mrs. O must be having an incredible time trying to keep that glow - the hope - lit in her husband as he and his family are judged for every move they make and by everything they do or don't say.
Once again, the other jenna, my thoughts and prayers go out to you through this difficult time for you. God bless.
CHAR: I could not agree with you more! I do not understand why some people take the occasional negative comment on something Mrs. O. has worn as a personal affront. None of us here is a personal friend of Mrs. O. This blog is about FASHION, nothing else, and we certainly all have our personal opinions about that! By the way, LOVE the Sophie Theallet black shirtdress,,,beautiful. The black sandals...not so much.
I have been visiting this site daily for several months, and I love it. However, this is my first post. Regarding Mrs. O's funeral attire...The black, Moschino blouse is very formal and could really not be worn successfully for any casual occasion. I think Mrs. O was more than appropriately dressed. I wish I had seen some better pictures, but I think she looked fine. Mrs. O is not one to fade in with the crowd. She is having a big influence. Belts and cardidigans and belts over cardigans have become enormously popular.
Kudos to you Mrs. T for a great job!
Hi
am I the only one who can see that her dress is just lite the airplane
the golden stripe and then the blue?
love and peace, sista´
Ms. M.
ps
beautiful arms
@theotherjenna,
I am so sorry to hear of your struggle, and wish you peace and no suffering. If you feel well enough to visit the chat rooms at times, please do. There are peaceful places to be found.
Well, this is the familiar disagreement that takes place primarily between (1) those who speak of what the FLOTUS “should” or “shouldn’t” wear (based on past conventions) because she is in a public position and (2) those who support her right to individuality and latitude in her clothing choices. (I am somewhat oversimplifying here in order to point out that this thread contains two very different worldviews that are unlikely to be reconciled.)
In any case, I am in agreement with the second group.
Now, if I had been attending Senator Kennedy’s funeral, a black suit would have been my first choice and a black dress my second. It would have never occurred to me to wear a skirt, blouse and cardigan. The suit or dress would have been in keeping with my style. Mrs. O also dressed in keeping with her style. We can all recognize the signature elements. She was very much herself, but her appearance also reflected adequate respect for the occasion and was not a distraction in any way. I thought she looked quite beautiful. Whether she could have or should have looked more sophisicated or elegant is a subjective judgment -- just as whether an item is "ugly" is a subjective judgment.
As far as appropiateness, conventions and expectations have changed and continue to do so. Earlier this summer, I attended the funeral of a locally prominent political figure. I wore a black suit. I was one of only a handful of women dressed that formally. I did not judge those wearing other choices as “wrong” and I hope they did not judge me. We were all there to recognize the loss of someone whose life we had valued.
What irritates in this discussion is the implication that when Mrs. O fails to conform to what others believe she “should” wear, it is because she does not know better and therefore needs advice or the services of a stylist.
I have to believe that at 45 years old, with a husband who has been in public life for more than a decade – as well as a past professional career of her own and a self-professed interest in fashion – Mrs. O has given some thought to balancing her personal style/tastes and public expectations, is aware of the options available to her and has consciously determined the way that she wishes to present herself. It does not please everyone on every occasion. How could it?
However, there is a reason that (without the help of a stylist) Mrs. O appears on best dressed lists, is featured in fashion magazines and is influencing both what retailers sell and the way other women dress. It is not because each one of us loves every single item that she wears. We don't. I think it is because she makes different, interesting and modern choices that, in the long-term, will re-train our eyes and recalibrate expectations for the way women in public life present themselves. Until then, her choices will keep our attention and keep us disagreeing. Maybe that is what it really means to be a fashion icon.
Also, I love the sandals and have a few Margiela pieces myself. Again, everyone is entitled to her own taste. That's what keeps it interesting.
May God be with you the other Jenna, you are in my prayers.
@the other Jenna:
Peace to you. Please talk to us in the chat thread if you are able.
The Other Jenna,
I am so sorry to hear of your illness. Your post was both beautiful and wrenching. I am amazed at your bravery and generosity in sharing such a private matter and the profound perspective and insight it has given you.
Your message resonated with me and I will remember it.
I love that Mrs. O wore aspects of the outfit that she wore to the Vatican, as Senator Kennedy was in mind at the time. Always thoughtful, lovely, strictly modern.
@ the other jenna,
I will keep you in my prayers as well. And, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your generosity. You took the time to remind us all what is really important and I will thank you forever.
I agree with Aurora in everything that she said.
Talking about her fashion is one thing, talking about her fashion as a way of judging her faculties is another. I believe that this blog starts with the assumption that she is fabulous and that her clothing will always get us talking! Like, oooh, wonder why she did that? Wonder where she got that? That was a bold choice, would I have done that?
Sometimes the conversation veers into the snarky and judgmental and the fun is simply stomped out. As a result, those of us who think of this as our little safe haven where we can gush about her (and yes, ask the occasional question about where she got something or raise an eyebrow or two) feel like we have to defend her from people who seem to be trying to tear her down. We love her. We love this moment in time and history and we are relishing this moment in history. We will never take it for granted. And thanks to The Other Jenna, we will always remember to cherish each moment.
Oh yeah....
There is not a blessed american thing wrong with her funeral choice. It was tasteful, formal and ladylike. It was very appropriate. There was a time when dresses, blouses and skirts were simply what ladies wore. There is no rule in any book that says that a suit is more or less formal than a very nice blouse and skirt combo or dress. Other than your own personal preference, what proof do you have that a suit would have been more formal? Seriously, in terms of fashion, how would you set about proving that a suit would have been more formal?
It was a lovely outfit, but I have always been in love with the bow shirt!
And the outfit for stepping off AF1? Never better, Mrs. O! Never better!
This is quite an interesting dicussion! I tend to agree that the outfit, with the bow was not very funeral like. And yes, Mrs. O did wear a suit to JFK's funeral. Also, if this is a site about fashion why are people not free to express their likes or dislikes of a particular style or oufit? With all due respect, and I do sympathize with the heart-wrenching story of the above poster, many come to this site as a distraction from their daily grind, not to think about the deep questions. They should be able to make a frivolous comment about Mrs. O's attire of the day. We should not be made to feel guilty just because we do not like a piece of clothing. This is about fashion! It should be fun, carefree, and is subjective by nature. Imagine how boring the world would be if we all liked the same things. It's a great thing that some of us like a bit more formality and others love more frilly stuff. We can have an opinion and that is the beauty of being an American living in America in the age of Obama!
@ the other jenna...stay strong and surround yourself with love
@ aurora...you sum things up quite well
By the way, she was wearing a jacket. A bolero jacket. Technically, is was NOT a cardigan.
And it is one thing to say,
"That Moschino blouse is not a hit in my book"
vs.
"Why would anyone wear a BOW to a funeral"
Can you see the difference in the two comments?
Or,
"Enough with the belts. Move on, Mrs. O"
vs.
"Doesn't she know that you don't wear a belt that high? What a shame! She looks like she has a gut!"
Aurora and MichelleToo made excellent points. Great job.
And your second post was spot on, MichelleToo. People can't define or defend their insinuations about formality because there is no ultimate fashion rule turning their opinion into fact. Some people just talk, or type in this case, for the heck of it. They are allowed to complain regardless since no one can stop them and will hide under the guise of free speech. Never have I heard a black satin blouse, black sweater/jacket and black skirt worn at a funeral was not formal or "funeral-like" enough. Mrs. Obama's outfit was beyond classy, feminine and appropriate. This is a prime example of the absurdity toward Mrs. Obama and I'm starting to believe certain individuals are more put off by who's wearing the clothes rather than the clothes themselves.
Michelle Obama is very confident about herself. I love the fact that she wears whatever she wants. Why does she need a stylist? Some in the past had a stylist, and they looked very old and out dated. It is okay to be different in society today. I am very different and wear whatever like. I have a very professional job and do not wear suits. You can wear nice slacks and blouse with a cardigan or jacket and be professional. This blog should be fun, but when you cross the line, expect someone to be defensive. She wore black to the funeral, not pink or red. In our world black is what we wear to funerals and that's what she wore. Some of the comments are negative and should be kept to ones self. Women are flocking the stores and merchandise online are being ordered and sold out once they find out where to purchase what Michelle Obama is wearing. I think it's so funny. I love the O bama's.
I don't think anyone is saying (or at least I'm not saying) that Mrs. Obama looks inappropriate, she just doesn't look as formal as a lot of the other women present at the funeral (Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Rosalyn Carter, Maria Shriver, Mrs. Kennedy, Caroline Kennedy, etc.).
The funeral mass was nice, I loved that a lot of his neices and nephews got a chance to speak. I love how family orientated they are. Kennedy motto = Faith, Family, and Country.
Victoria, Caroline Kennedy had on a sleeveless dress beneath her jacket. Although it did not have a "bow" detail, it was gathered at the neckline. Are you sure this is formal enough for you?
@gaby, this is exactly what the other jenna was trying to say. We should be able to express our likes and dislikes about what Mrs. O wears w/o tearing her down personally. This site IS about fashion and fun and I like this or I don't like that. the other Jenna called Mrs. O's sandals silly and she did not like the big bow blouse but she left know doubt about how she much she loved Mrs. O. It was my impression that the people who come here feel that way about her too.
Ok, I've already posted this but I'll post it again. There is nothing informal about the blouse or skirt, it's the sweater that is making her outfit appear too casual. If she had simply switched the sweater with a suiting jacket I wouldn't have been anything to discuss (even though I don't like that skirt I wouldn't say it was too casual or informal, it's fine). That's what I feel.
Ok Victoria Leon I hear you and I disagree with you
Victoria,
I read in some places that it wasn't a sweater, it was actually a jacket. A thin jacket but a jacket nonetheless.
Also, Caroline Kennedy wore a sweater over her sleeveless top and skirt combo. The top had sequin detailing on the hem.
I guess when you put Mrs. O's outfit and Caroline Kennedy's outfit side by side, I don't see any difference in terms of formality.
If you do, then that is your opinion. Cheers!
I didn't get a good look at Caroline's outfit but anyway Caroline (who I love dearly) isn't First Lady.
I hear you Victoria.
Then perhaps you shouldn't have compared the First Lady to Caroline Kennedy in the first place. I was just going off what you said in your initial post.
The First Lady could have worn a suit. It would have been beyond any reproach. It seems that she doesn't dress in a way that is safe, which is why we have a blog about her.
Cheers!
I started reading the comments but got worn out reading all the nastiness.
Mrs Obama looks beautiful and 100% appropriate for the funeral. She is dressed in full mourning (which is quite unusual these days), and she is very conservatively dressed with a long skirt and a longsleeved blouse. I thought she looked lovely. I feel it was more important that she was AT the funeral, that she was engaged in the service, that she was celebrating the life of a respected friend who gifted her family their dog, than it was about what she was wearing.
I am getting a little sick of the same tribe of naysayers trooping out the "inappropriate" argument every time they see something that isn't a suit. Please applaud the fact that Mrs O is doing something different. Applaud perhaps, the fact that she is not afraid to step away from the conservative idea of what's "right". Applaud the fact that she is upholding a long tradition of forthright First Ladies who did a lot of good and were often good fun and wore clothes in many different ways.
"sometimes we have to put protocol and occasion before our personal likes and dislikes, even if it feels a wee-bit uncomfortable" This kind of comment suggests that Mrs O is uncomfortable being formally dressed in a suit for a funeral. Yet another - to me - example of posts that subtley suggest the Obama's don't know how to behave.
Well, they do know how to behave. Patently obviously. They behave beautifully. They were good friends with the late Senator. What would a suit say? That they loved him more? That they loved him better?! I don't think so. I think this is another carefully anti-Obama axe to grind. And if it truy isn't, then perhaps we could stop seeing comments of that kind here. Just say nice things. Doesn't cost anything to be supportive.
****
Oh and whoever it was who talked about image with regard to this outfit.... Michelle Obama has said time and again that women should wear what they love. She wears clothes she loves. She isn't going for an "image". Please, please, please stop dragging down who she is and putting forward this idea that Mrs O is not her own woman. She is not a political animal. She doesn't have an agenda with her clothes. She does not do what is expected of her. She does what feels right to her.
I feel what she wore to the funeral was tasteful , the blac k skirt with the ribbons of colors I like also. I think the Black shirt was ok but I would have worn some type of short sleave with that full shirt. Still an nice look....
One thing that Ii wish is that her wardrobe person would do more with her shoes.
Mrs. Obama wears a lot of elegant classic shoes,(pumps) but could pull off shoes with a little higher heel, and ankle straps.... higher pump
like a classy patent , suede T strap, shoes with more sex appeal ...... Otherwise fabulous
Remember when Condoleza RIce donned those boots, WE ALL LOVED IT! I also see Mrs Obama in a pants suit tailored and sophisticated ,along with a soft blouse , cami underneath. With her height she can pull off everything!!!!!!! She is a natural hanger and pulls it off beautifully!!!!
WHO Says Professional has to be boring and matronly....
wow that's really strange how her dress matches the plane! what in the world?