Monday
Sep212009
Taking a Stylish Stand (Update)
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 2:17 PM 
Image by Win McNamee / Getty Images
This morning Mrs. O spoke in support of health care legislation at the White House, dressed in a boldly printed black and ivory skirt, ruffled blouse and muted green cardigan - all belted at the waist, of course.
Click here to read Politico's coverage of Mrs. O's speech, including a video.
Update: Thanks to the tip in the comments, we've discovered Mrs. O's skirt is Diane von Furstenberg, the Bhare Skirt in African bands from the designer's Fall 2009 collection, seen here.
tagged DVF
DVF
Reader Comments (135)
I've been a fan of Mrs. O's style since the campaign trail and I'm so psyched that I found this site today! I blog about shoes (http://www.shoezodiac.com) and I'm definitely going to be checking back in to see what (and whom) Michelle is wearing on her feet. I love the pics from last week of her in her capris and sneaks. She's very cute when she dresses down...And always looks smashing when she dresses up.
Re the belt: I think sometimes one just wants to make a fashion statement. A little tweak, a little fun interest. Often, the most interesting looks are just slightly "off."
Well, that's what I think of a belt like this -- Not for the faint-hearted.
Each piece, EXCEPT the belt, is lovely separately. The skirt is particularly pretty, but think about how much nicer it would have looked with a simple lovely black shirt or even one of her beloved black or brown cardigans. Think about that lovely ruffled shirt with a dark pencil skirt! I do love the fact that she was wearing some heels because they do enhance her posture and give her an air of authority, which you always want to do as a public speaker.
But the belt distracts from her outfit and her message. and that is where Mrs. O has to learn that sometimes less is more. Most of the lead articles are talking about her huge belt and not about the potency of her health care message, which by the way, was nicely done. So if I were her, which I know I would never be in a gazilion years, so no need to start a thread to remind me :) I would reserve the fashion statements for "social" events and occasions and streamline the speaking outfits to a bare minimum.
I won't even talk about her hair and makeup because whoever is doing them always get them right, downright to a science.
Finally, some of the outfits that Mrs. O wears sometimes truly do not work. If we are honest with ourselves even we would admit that if we had first seen some random person wearing the same outfit on the street and wonder : What on earth is she thinking. While Mrs. O's charisma and presence certainly add a certain je-ne-sais-quoi to her fashion choices, some of our fashion comments are more about our positive feelings about her as a first lady than they are about true fashion sense. I try to strike a balance between the two in my posts, but even I can't help that my personal biases sometimes affect my opinion of an outfit at times.
WOW! So perfectly put together, so flattering, interesting and exciting!
And actually I think a woman size 0 would have a hard time to make this work, most probably she would disapear in it. Unless she has the height and strong personality of Mrs. O maybe.
Went shopping today and the man is awash with the belted cardigan look...calling Michelle's influence though some may disagree.
I MUST have that skirt! I feel Mrs. O is ahead of her time, we are so used to women who take NO chances especially in boring corporate land. Michelle takes chances and good or not so good, she is fun to watch.
Mrs. O gave a wonderful talk on the healthcare issue.
That being said, the skirt is beautiful but it didn't flatter her figure.
Great skirt - a marvelous print.
I think it's time to break the rules and wear whatever colour one feels on a particular day. This crap about it's summer and you can't wear this or it's autumn and you can't wear that, is a pile of dung. FLOTUS has proven time and time again that she marches to her own drum and some of us need to realise that getting all worked up over what she wears is going absolutely nowhere.
I always enjoy whatever she wears. It may or may not be my first choice or any for that matter. BUT, it's her choice, her body , her money and she looks GREAT.
What the hell. Go Michelle! WOW them girl.
There is a saying in the Caribbean "people do not throw stones at trees that do not have fruits" in other words people only talk, especially negatively,about people when there is a measure of jealousy.
To the haters...........STOP!!! ......................The rest of us love her.
Does anyone know who designed the skirt? I love it.
Mrs. O looks fabulous as always in this outfit. Michelle is not what I would consider a full figure woman at all. I've seen her in person and she has curves in all the right places. She has quite a tall slender frame with curves. Kudos to Mrs. O for keeping her own style, despite the naysayers. Mrs. O marches to the beat of her own drum and does it with finesse, class and style.
http://rightvoices.com/2009/09/18/michelle-obama-wore-a-suicide-bomber-belt-because-that-is-how-it-feels-to-be-a-wife-and-mother/
Ignore the appaling title of this link....I put it up because of the picture: a frontal view of this "ensemble". Ok, love her or hate her, in life you cannot seriously say this is a good look on Mrs. Obama. Were there actually TWO belts??
I second that Trinisamba, no more rules. If Mrs obama likes and feels comfortable in this ensemble, rock on I say and may the force be with her. 'Nough said. All this talk about "appropriate" and "inappropriate" really irritates me to no end and to hear the endless chatter, you'd think she showed up in a bikini, a thong or worse. The lectures comparing her to Jacquie O are annoying too. Mrs Obama is no cookie cutter first lady. She is as smart as she is lovely and fascinating and I salute and celebrate her.
ThatOtherMimi made an interesting point about MO not dressing like everyone else in "corporate land." Does anyone know how she dressed when she was in her hospital job? I think going back as far as her law firm days would not tell us much, as that environment has always been - and still is - pretty staid. And she was young, and probably playing by the corporate rules more - which was smart.
I'd love to know what her style was just as POTUS was getting into politics - and she was not so much in the public eye. She was in a high powered position, and visible within that world, and probably Illinois - but she was not experiencing the international/national glare she is these days.
Just askin'.
Canyongal: It does look as if she has two belts on. I just don't get the large plastic "air filter" on top of another belt. Just wrong.
To clarify when I think corporate land I think the matching suit look with a silk shell underneath with shoes that match the matchy matchy suit....its either maroon or grey or black. Or maybe it's a black sheath dress with pearls and a matching jacket. For me at least Michelle has shown that the corporate or professional look need not be monochromatic and boring.
Thanks Lota!!!
I read all of your comments often but somehow I did not get what the acronym FLOTUS means. Please explain.
By the way, the First Lady dresses like a “wise African American woman" with the sensibility and taste that the ethnic background and physical characteristics of a woman of color will probably always reflect, a different rhythm and a more colorful, sensual and futuristic taste.
Ask "Madison and 7th Avenues" why they have always looked to the African American cultural when deciding the new trends in fashion, music and now, film.
Vive la différence. Let’s embrace it.
That sweater is a beautiful shade of green. Does anyone know where it came from?
FLOTUS = First Lady Of The United States. Taken from POTUS, President of the United States.
>> She is a full figured woman like millions of American women. Instead of wearing a sack and trying to waste-away to fit into a small minded view of beauty she has embarrassed her beautiful shape and in turn inspires all women to be true to who they are. In every sense.
Miss Opinion, I appreciate your positive post. However, I disagree that Mrs. Obama is "full figured". She has a very fit, post partum, middle-aged body. I can say that because I have a post-partum, middle-aged body and I fully appreciate how hard Michelle must work to look as good as she does. You'd really have to stretch the definition of "full figured" to include Mrs. Obama.
I look at pictures of her every day . . . and she has inspired me to return to the gym. I don't have her height or beautiful bone structure, but I am striving to be the best I can be . . . while I look and admire her being the best she can be.
:o)
Also, I believe you meant "embraced" not "embarrassed"?
I agree with you 100% Jacquie!
While Mrs. O'S weight goes up and down a bit, she appears to be a very slender woman who has to fight to maintain weight because she can be very slim. Full-figured she is not. If you look at some of her pictures on the campaign trail you will see that at times she was very thin. Her thin forearms tell the whole story. However, she is blessed with being both thin and curvy and tall. My guess is that the outfits she wears all look a heck of a lot better in person no matter how they look on camera. As for this skirt...the top is brown, I believe, thus giving the appearance of a second belt. There are pictures on Getty images with her sitting down next to K. Sebelius where the outfit looks quite pretty. I realize that we all want her to wear things that look well in person AND photograph well, but I would have liked to have seen this outfit in person because I suspect that it may have looked better than some believed it looked in the photos.
As many have posted on other blogs and news sites, the saddest thing of all is if the agenda is important, an "off" look or the focus on one thing (like this most unfortunate belt) only serves to take away from the subject matter the speaker is talking about. Best to save the "fashion forward" or "experimental" looks for another type of event. For an important speech or agenda that you REALLY want people to pay attention to, play yourself down so the focus stays on the topic at hand and not on you.
The mossy green sweater is really cool.
@ThatOtherMimi - what you describe as "corporate" is exactly what I meant. But did she ever dress that way? I can see her buying suits, shells, whatever, and then mixing them up in her own style - not wearing the matching top and skirt. One thing that drives some people crazy is that she brings in a color - e.g., in the outfit above, in the sweater and shoes - that is not in the fundamental pieces. She loves contrast and the unexpected pop of color. Personally, I love it and do it myself. My question is: has she always done this, or did it somehow evolve after a period of the safer, more corporate look?
Jacquie:
So, if an African-American woman does not dress in a manner that is "colorful, sensual and futuristic", then she is not "wise?"
If that is the case, then I (a Black American Indian woman) am in BIG trouble, for I dress (primarily) in Ralph Lauren, J. Crew, LL Bean, and Eddie Bauer. I love pastels and "earth tones" and grey.
PLEASE tell me what "African-American culture" is? I would really like to know!
Thank you!
Love it. So cute. I for one will NEVER critize anything she wears. I always think she looks great. That is why I come to this site. If I don't like something she wears (which is rare) I simply keep my mouth shut. But that's just me ;-)
Funny how people complain about her belts & cardigans. You better hold on to your bonnets: Belts OVER cardigans are one of the BIGGEST trends for fall. Deal with it! ;-)
GO MO GO!!!
Wow! I love the skirt! Mrs. O is bold and American women had better take notes!
The brownish print which appears to be separate from the skirt might be a part of the skirt? See photos at Obama Pics Daily - http://community.livejournal.com/obama_daily/262424.html#cutid1.
I just know that as a "wise AA woman" Michelle's color choices are not a shock. My aunts love bold and bright colors along with unique patterns and flamboyant hats. If anything I think southern AA women have alot in common with the European royals especially Maxima.
@ Jacquie
As an African-American woman, I find your comment about what makes a “wise African American woman" offensive! You are stereotyping and that is treading on dangerous grounds!
Yes, sailorsgirl, I would like to know what that looks like too!
I love checking out Mrs-O becuase she does seem to push the edge. More often than not, her choices seem to evoke strong emotion. Yesterday, I thought she had never looked more beautiful (custom Michael Kors???). Today, I love the colors but find that when she wears this skirt shape she looks a bit like a ladybug. I love curves, but it feels a bit out of proportion. But perhaps, that is exactly why today's outfit is memorable and why I keep going back to look again. Mrs O is one of a kind and I love that about her.
I found a quote that just may put an end to all of this petty bickering and finger-pointing. I doubt it, but here it is anyway:
"In matters of opinion, all adversaries are insane." Oscar Wilde
Think about it.
Jacquie and sailorsgirl, please stop it. We are trying to politely discuss what we like or don't like about Mrs. Obama's outfits. I often wonder that if FLOTUS came to this website for constructive advice, she would not find it here. Whew! I think I am going to take a sabbatical from reading and posting here like many others have done. I'll come back in 4 or 8 years. Some of you women have some serious issues. I really miss 'the other jenna', only the good die young......
Skirt is DVF.
This outfit really looks nice on Mrs. O. My hips are too large for this pattern of skirt and according to "What Not To Wear" gurus, I am learning that with my large hips I should focus my attention on clothing upward with patterns, colors, etc. or to draw attention to my feet/shoes, which by the way I get compliments on all the time. Nice look Mrs. O.
@ Lulumay
Belts over cardigan looks - I m not sayin there is anything wrong with them. I love them. I just said it is overdone and she continually relies on that style. There are other styles. Lulumay, Just so you know, belts over cardigans have been a trend for the last three years, waaaay before Mrs. O became the Mrs. O on the globa stage we are looking at today. Look at the last Sex and the City movie, for example. There was avid use of the belts over coats and cardigans. It will give you an idea. Style forcasters were predicting this look quite a few years ago.
About your other comment about Mrs. O looking great in everything she wears and that you'll NEVER criticize anything she wears, well, you sound rather childish with that.
@ Original Mrs. A - Is it really necessary to call other people childish? It's comments like that which reflect poorly on you as opposed to the person you are attempting to call out.
Diane von Furstenberg, interesting, this is the first time we see Mrs O wearing her. I looked back at Furstenberg's Fall 2009 show and the clothes are fabulous. Mrs O must have so much fun when she looks at her fashion choices and decides who and what to wear. Wouldn't it be fun to be allowed access into Mrs O's White House closet; curious me would also love to view the whole process. Say for example, the outfits and accessories selection for the G20 summit next week in Pittsburgh.
On a different note, it saddens and angers me when I look at the many articles, comments and fashion reviews of Mrs O on the web; I have never in my lifetime viewed such evil, racist, belittling, hateful remarks. So if there are some of us on this site who appear defensive, I ask for understanding. The hatred being spewed towards the First Lady of the United States of America across the internet is unprecedented and it is putrid.
The most offensive aspect is that there are well paid trolls and media types whose sole job it is to spread this race baiting hate. It is one thing to attack our president, and even another to attack our first ladies political views, but as many of us know, since the inauguration those opposed to President Obama have targeted in on the fashion choices of Mrs O. From the beginning the key talking points have been either "too expensive sneakers" or "sleeveless inappropriate." It has been shocking to my senses that those opposed to our president and his policies have taken such a personal line of attack on our first lady. But it is what it is.
Now begs the question, what if any should one do if such comments are noted on this particular site. I have come to expect such awful comments on places like Huffington Post, as one example and they are so pervasive there, I do have a why bother attitude. But this site has been so pleasant for the most part and the comments whether positive or negative seem so sincere. But there are times when there are a slew of unregistered posters, many of whom are first timers or very infrequent posters and there comments contain the same key words that the trolls use on well known scurrilous sites that embrace racism towards our first family.
So if some of you whose comments are well meaning and sincere happen to get caught in the crossfire please do not take it personally. Yes, it would be great if everyone who came to this site only agenda was to check out and discuss Mrs O's fashion choices, but sometimes there is such a flurry of back to back comments flinging the negative divisive tag lines and keywords posted at other rot filled sites it just gets my dander up and I feel like I have to protect our happy home. After all there should be somewhere on the world wide web where you can go and read about the Obamas without enduring hate.
Check out this belt in Diane Von Furstenberg's Fall '09 collection it looks like something Mrs O would love:
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/fullscreen/F2009RTW-DVFURSTE/
I like everything about this outfit except the belt(s). With all of the other busyness, I think a simple, narrower belt would have been a more attractive look.
I agree with the poster who said that Mrs. Obama did not "invent" the belted cardigan look. I've seen belted cardigans for about as long as I can remember. However, most of them were very fitted cardigans with the belt providing definition and acting as an accessory rather than the thing that actually held it all together. I personally prefer that look over the loose-fitting cardigans gathered by a large belt. But that's just me.
I agree that breaking the rules is good and can create some hits, but breaking the rules can just as easily create misses. When you "gamble," you have to be prepared for some hits and some misses; and it seems our First Lady has the confidence to accept both. And that is her most beautiful accessory.
Yikes, I guess we all have those days when we put one too many items on and forget to take something off.
Her legs look great !
Hope her health care message is received nicely.
I am a frequent reader although much less frequent poster to this site and I want to comment on the increasing tendency of the posters to knock down each other for either too much negativity or, on the other hand, a sort of "blind" enthusiasm. This sort of internecine quarreling is really turning me off the website. I came to the website because I enjoy fashion, because it is fun to watch Mrs. Obama grow into her role as First Lady, including her fashion choices, and because it is interesting to see how the people of the US are responding as they watch her. I don't care what the posters think of each other.
I am sophisticated enough, and I think most of the visitors to this website are too, to weed out the comments of people who have some weird ax to grind. I also intuit that the keepers of the site have a good sense for what material is truly inappropriate.
But if the site is going to devolve into a place where a relatively small subset of posters are going to chew each other out over and over for being either too negative or too adoring, I am going to tune out.
In my book, it's perfectly OK to say you didn't like a particular dress the first lady wore and to say why. Civil discourse is a good thing and by nature, it includes disagreements, handled with respect.
So, please let's stick to the fashion and leave each other alone.
Everyone knows Michelle did not invent anything. But her influence has helped to bring back looks such as the cardigan and the belted cardigan look. Of course both looks have always been around but Michelle has helped to bring the look back more to the forefront. So in the future if I attribute a look to Mrs. Obama I KNOW she did not invent it. NOTHING is new in the fashion world.
I LOVE the belt and all of this car park trash talk is is idiotic. If she was not wearing a belt folks would be complainng about something else. Like Julie, I am going to take a sabbatical from this site while the trolls excercise free speech.
If you see a comment from a troll, please notify me and I will delete it without hesitation. I don't believe, however, that the negativity above is the result of "trolls exercising free speech" -- much of the discussion has been between site regulars.
I don't know why there's be such hostility, but like others, I don't enjoy it. Please let's not attack one another.
Stop WHAT, Julie?
I SINCERELY want to know what "African-American culture" is.
I SINCERELY want to know how a "wise African-American woman" dresses.
I am sorry to be so naive, but my questions are SINCERE.
Thank you!
Is it just me or is Mrs. O not as "full figured" as she was during the campaign? She still looks great, like a normal healthy woman -- I, for one, hope she's not trying to diet herself away!
Diane von Furstenberg? Yipee!!! I love Diane and I'm so, so glad Mrs Obama is wearing her. I'm mighty chuffed.
Boazwife - I so agree with you.
Gerogia - Thank you for the link http://community.livejournal.com/obama_daily/262424.html#cutid1, it shows some really detailed and beautiful close-ups of this ensemble.
Thank you, Mrs. T. From now on when someone berates me just because I may think something Mrs. O. is wearing could be done better, I will take the high road and not respond. I appreciate your hard work and this site very much.