Wednesday
Sep232009
Lady in Red
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 1:27 PM 
Image by Rick Gershon / Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O is in New York today, visiting the U.N. headquarters for the United Nations General Assembly. More to follow.
Update: Confirmed! Mrs. O wears a Michael Kors red silk shantung four button cap sleeve jacket and matching skirt.
tagged Michael Kors
Michael Kors
Reader Comments (123)
Thanks, all, for your "kind" feedback on my fashion "rules"!! Guess they are GONE and forgotten!!
The one point with which I take issue is a suggestion of looking at fashion magazines...in most layouts, I see "costumes" for teenagers, not clothes a real person in her 30-40's would wear....must be reading the wrong mags!! LOL
Anyway, regardless, I do love the Obamas and applaud Mrs. Obama for so many things!!!
I'm not a huge fan of the neck bow, but I looove the color and the fabric.
Barbara I am 51 and I agree with you too. Guess we are both old. ;-) There is old fashioned and there is just appropriate. I don't think the things you said are old fashioned.
That said, I do like her and what she wears. Just not at certain occasions.
Shellly
As a shout out to Barbara, I post the following link:
1928 Fashion rules for women on wearing a hat
There were so many rules!
I want to know what michelle obama is wearing tonite. where are the photos
I want to agree with Barbara here. I think the First Lady owes it to tradition to not "break the rules". I also think Mrs. Obama is a lovely lady. I just want to say thank you to Barbara.
Barbara, haven't you heard? No rules anymore. Apparently that goes beyond fashion for this administration. Sorry, ladies, you just can't separate the politics from the fashion when you're in, uh, politics.
One other note - Why does Mrs. Obama wear some of her clothes so tight? I think she would look even more slender if they fitted a little less tightly. And I think if her skirts were a tad longer, her legs would look better. As it is, her knees look large.
That said, may I say that I love all her clothes. I am a seamstress, myself, and I would love to alter them just a little. :-)
Nice outfit. Michael Kors has hit some real home runs with his fall line. He said a lot of it was inspired by the Mad Men 1960's costumes. Forget the plot lines on the show - you can check it out for fashion alone and have a great time! What our FLOTUS is wearing here would not be at all out of place. Very Jackie O. Great look on her. She should stick to it.
Michelle looks great in everything she wears, she has class and poise. A great role model for her daughters and us all.
Not every event is getting coverage. I never saw anything about the luncheon he hosted yesterday for sub-saharan African leaders. And I haven't seen anyhthing on the reception. Perhaps it will show up on the White House website.
Another event I've seen little on was the wreath he laid today at the UN in honor of those who died at the UN Baghdad bombing. The UN banner that flew over the UN building that day was draped behind him.
I'll fill you in on where I found this: the UN photo section of their website. The link is below. It will open to the "special events" section and the first 3 pictures are of the wreath laying. Pictures of Michelle at the luncheon given for 1st ladies follows. Yhe first shows the red outfit the best. The pictures are small, click to enlarge, and if you want to go through the trouble of reistering (link under each enlarged picture) you will be able to download a high resolution picture. Those are still fairly small,
The reception won't appear here because it was not an official UN function.
http://www.unmultimedia.org/search/photo/detail.jsp?key=2&query=category:%22Special%20Events%22&lang=en
That is a beautiful suit for a daytime event of such importance. The color is perfect for Fall.
P.S. I am 71 and shop at J. Crew....their cardigans are the best!
My, my, my. She's done it again. Absolute grace and poise under the pressure of the camera and the eyes of the world. Superb. I salute you, Madame First Lady. You make us all PROUD.
sharon do you think we will be able to see any photos from the reception?
Now THAT is my idea of a suit! Not stuffy, corporate or cookie cutter. Love it! And look at her face! She just knows she looks fabulous!
Barbara - I hope you will stay on this site and post often. Sometimes it can get a little intense, as we are all passionate about our First Lady and her clothes. Some we love; some we want to love; some we just flat out don't like. But it is great to have the viewpoint of a woman "of a certain age" (as am I - only a bit behind you) who is tuned in to the fashions of today, while remembering the rules of yesteryear.
I didn't know the "no shiny fabrics" rule before, but I find it so interesting! Did you see the pictures of Mrs. Obama in London, wearing a jewel encrusted (and I mean REALLY encrusted) cardigan, with a shiny brocade skirt in the late morning? Kind of a surprise, but it worked. I actually think she looks best - and happiest - when she's pushing the fashion envelope a little bit. Anyway - It's good to have you here!
Sierra, I guess we're S.O.L. for a pic on tonight. Hopefully, tommorrow we will get to see one.
I just feel as if the rules are changed daily. Who knew there was a no shiny suit rule. I honestly do not get it. It's like that invisible bar that is always set a little higher so it can never be attained.
Sharon,
Thanks so much for the link to the UN Photo site. It is the best picture of Mrs. O in this red dress.
We all miss you in the Lounge. Please come on back.
What a terrific color on Mrs. O! Her skin tone is such that almost any color looks fabulous. She is such an inspiration and role model for all women everywhere. Another knock-out outfit.
Great color.
sierra--
Your guess is as good as mine. I checked the museum site and they stated that they were closed on Wednesday for a UN event. If so, it may still show up in the UN photos. It seems the regular press may have been held at a distance. But I expect that when Pete Souza releases another batch of photos on the UN and G-20 events that a picture from the reception will likely be included. Just my guess.
There could be a White House blog with a picture, but there is just so much going on that not everything gets good coverage.
Willow--
Thanks for your encouragement. I have always appreciated all your postings. Not sure that is the place for me though. I'll check it out from time to time and join in if feel my contribution could enhance the discussion (my estimation though others may disagree)..
Barbara,
Your fashion sense isn't outdated it is just your style. I love that Michelle does not care what others think about her style. That is what makes her unique. She likes to have fun with her style. We should enjoy it.
Sharon,
I think everyone feels your contributions enhance the discussion. You are a smart and classy lady. I hope you noticed how the comment that affected you was handled -- humor, and understanding by all concerned.
Thanks for your contributions here.
Mamma Mia! What a gorgeous color-she looks fantastic!
I love this suit.
Good ol' Michael Kors must be over the moon. (he's a smart cookie -- remember very early on when Oscar the Grouch & other designers who hadn't yet been worn by Mrs. O were complainin'? MK kept schtum. and had nothing but compliments for MO. So...)
Re shiny only for cocktails or night: I don't know that this convention is set in stone. For quite a while now, designers have been showing shine & texture (even sequins!) for daytime looks. Even in the rather conservative Chanel suit.
Actually, over the years I've found mens & womens suits & raincoats from the early 1960s with a similar shine. There is a name for this treatment/look, but I can't remember what it is. It was also popular in the late-'40s, I believe. Sharkskin?
She looks lovely, Minus the bow. It often seems that she is sometimes forcing herself to add a quirky item here and there (such as the bow) just to adhere to "her signature" style. Red is a wonderful autumnal color on her, but I must aggree with Barbara's first post to a certain extent. Although I do not subscribe to as many "rules" as she does, many of Mrs. O's daytime outfit have a certain after-six look to them (the shine of the fabric, the satin bow, etc.). But whatever floats her boat and make her happy.
I think a couple of the responses to Barbara are a bit harsh. We're all products of the culture in which we grew up, and sometimes change takes a little getting used to. I'm a few years younger than Barbara, but I grew up with those same rules: shiny fabrics and faux-jewel embellishments were for evening. Certain fabrics and colors were appropriate for only certain seasons of the year. It took a little time for my eyes and brain to adjust to seeing jeweled cardigans at work and white after Labor Day and shiny fabrics any time of day. Now I like and wear some of those same things. But the "rules" you grow up with are not easily discarded. For example, I have a hard time going to church in a pants outfit. I'm NOT!!! saying there's anything wrong with it; I've just never learned to feel comfortable because we didn't do that when I was younger. People dressed up--and that meant a skirt or dress--to go to church. I DON"T have a problem with what others wear, but I still feel most comfortable in what I'm used to. That's just the way it is.
I don't think Barbara's comments were harsh; she was just stating what she's used to, so the harsh responses are unnecessary, IMO.
I don't see why people are falling over the fact that mrs. O's suit is shiny.
It all depends on the fabric and the way it catches the light. This kind of fabric is very playfull with light.
I'm sure she has enough people around her to teach her on etiquette and if it wasn't appropriate for the time of day I'm sure they would've advised her on that.
Having said this, I think she looks gorgeous....
On another note....getting back at the shorts thing when she was in the Grand Canyon.....believe me a flirty summerdress wouldn't have worked there considering the wind.
Or would you rather have seen her panties exposed all over the newspapers instead of that short?
Gorgeous color. Great fit.
BarbG:
My social circles still follow the "rules" (the old and young). I wear winter “white" in the cold months, and I don't wear white: shoes, pocketbooks or linen after Labor Day.
I still go to church dressed (Episcopalians can wear whatever we want, even jeans), but I feel if I can dress for work, I can dress for church.
I have repeatedly stated on this blog that the country has become so dressed down that, unfortunately, anything goes.
In my area, if I attend an after five dinner/dance, people are dressed like they are going to work. If I attend an after five/black tie event in North Jersey or New York City, the attendees are dressed appropriately. So, I guess it depends on what part of the country you are located in.
I think Mrs. Obama looked great. I even liked the bow. I don’t purchase silk shantung for myself because of the shiny fabric, but it looks great on her.
BarbG:
My social circles still follow the "rules" (the old and young). I wear winter “white" in the cold months, and I don't wear white: shoes, pocketbooks or linen after Labor Day.
I still go to church dressed (Episcopalians can wear whatever we want, even jeans), but I feel if I can dress for work, I can dress for church.
I have repeatedly stated on this blog that the country has become so dressed down that, unfortunately, anything goes.
In my area, if I attend an after five dinner/dance, people are dressed like they are going to work. If I attend an after five/black tie event in North Jersey or New York City, the attendees are dressed appropriately. So, I guess it depends on what part of the country you are located in.
I think Mrs. Obama looked great. I even liked the bow. I don’t purchase silk shantung for myself because of the shiny fabric, but it looks great on her.
I agree with Barbara the suit was too shiny for a mid day event. Mrs O looks good in all the colors she chooses, this suit looks great on her, but like i said not for a mid day event,
LOVE the color, wish the bow replaced the collar.
Flash, ladies. Remember, there are a lot of them bouncing off that fabric. The fabric is likely not nearly as shiny in person as it appears in photos because of the flash photos.
Silk shantung is very often used for pieces that are slightly dressy - I've seen it used a ton for dresses that would be worn to a wedding, for example, trousers and shell tops worn to work and for dinner later.
Her outfit is perfectly appropriate for the hostess of a luncheon for the spouses of heads of state.
Again, I do appreciate (and was not offended by) responses to my "rules".
I think that there was a bit of "class" and geographical differences in fashion rules. These may not have been written but were passed down within one's social circle. I think that an examination of exhibits at the Met or of Princess Diana's clothes (I was lucky to see one at the Textile Museum in Lowell, MA several years ago) or books of Jacqueline Kennedy's outfits by Oleg Cassini. The fabric, colors and styles pretty much illustrate what I was trying to say in a very few sentences. (Being close to the fabrics at the Diana exhibit showed not only the richness of the color but the quality of the fabric and the incredible fit that made her look fabulous at all times.) Even on Mad Men it is possible to see the differences between day wear and cocktail or evening attire as well as the "class" differences in Peggy's costumes vs those of Joan and the various bosses' wives.
It is fascinating to me to observe the changes and current trends. I truly love the various casual outfits that Mrs. Obama puts together; they are quite innovative.
It is only the official wear that I question...take a look at Queen Noor, Queen Raina, Carla Bruni and Princess Leticia....there is lots of individuality but also a formality that I love. They all have a different body shape than Mrs. Obama, but there are definitely some similarity in the contemporary choices of colors, styles and fabrics. I do applaud Mrs. Obama for her bold choices, but I would like to see a bit more consideration to event and time of day. I don't think that Ikram serves her well...surely there is another consultant to add different viewpoint.
Jerseygirl,
I always enjoy reading your posts.
Other comments:
I looked at Yahoo pics and Mrs. O didn't appear to be her usual bubbly self on this day. I hope she is OK.
Can someone refer me to the bright yellow cap-sleeved (Michael Kors?) suit she wore a few weeks ago. Can you provide a link, because don't remember it?
I have stopped debating about the appropriateness of her outfits for a particular occasion. Even though that is an important element of evaluating whether an outfit is stylish, I have realized that it will always be a matter of personal opinion and I have differed with Mrs. O on quite a few occasions. Like when she wore that red an black Narcisso Rodriguez on election night. I remember my phone was ringing with friends and family asking me why "my Mrs. O" chose tha outfit. Fastforward to today... Nowadays, I look whether an oufit is beautiful or not. Sometimes I know that it is something that I personally wouldnt wear to that occasion, but it's Mrs. O's personal choice. Bottom line, I have stopped reviewing her choices on appropriateness. I only concern myself with whether she looks good or not.
I have also noticed that Mrs. O is doing less of adding the cuesy, kitschy additions to her outfits where they would be better without. I think she has been advised by herself or is getting advice from others that sometimes less is more. That is sometimes my gripe with some of her choices that she adds embellishments when not needed and they detract from her outfits. Today, for example, I am glad that she went without a belt and that bow is tolerable... to me.
Anyway, talking about silk shantung, I scored two amazing silk shatung suits online from an amazing designer for my Mom. Ordered them about a week ago and they just arrived yesterday, coincidentally. I can't wait till she wears them. She will look amazing in them,
Barbara,
I don’t think the “rules” that you cite are “gone”. I just think they have become more flexible. By that I mean that some choose to adhere to them and some don’t – but we are less likely to automatically judge someone as having made a faux pas if she does not. I think that is a good thing.
Similarly, I don’t think these rules are necessarily “old”. I was taught the same conventions more than twenty years after you were and I passed at least some of them on to my own daughter another twenty years later. But I passed them on as information rather than dictates. It seems to me that the real difference in adhering to them or not has less to do with age than with whether one tends to be traditional and conservative in dress.
As with so many things, most of us have become more accustomed to a greater degree of choice. I still choose not to wear white after Labor Day – more because I am so often ready to move to autumn colors than because it would be wrong in some way. And, I like a little shine (e.g. satin, shantung, dupioni) regardless of time of day – though I will admit that I am likely to mix one shiny piece with a more traditional fabric. Those are my choices but I would be reluctant to impose them as a criterion for evaluating anyone else.
I do want to say that I appreciate your good humor in the face of some of the responses you received. If you have been reading here then you know that responses can be heated for many reasons that may not be limited to the content of an individual post.
Barbara I hope that you didn't take any of the postings as harsh. Reading them from a neutral place I hadn't thought anyone was horrible about what you said, I felt that you were answered in the spirit that your original comment was made. (Happy to accept that I might have missed some less than friendly ones...)
I totally get what you said. I was taught a lot of rules by my (cautious) mother and there are occasions when I will stick to them. On the whole though, all rules can be bent (clothing rules!) and if you look smart, clean, respectful and (in Mrs O's case) absolutely AMAZING, then you get a special dispensation. I've never let my workplace or profession dictate what I can wear to the office or social occasions because I relied on the fact that I was good at what I did and that was what mattered. Most of my colleagues wouldn't have been seen dead in bugle beads for an important meeting but I couldn't see why not. I'd've been bored out of my mind in plain grey/black suits all the time. Indeed I would say that as a result of pushing the conservative "office wear" rules to their limit I've probably been given jobs and tasks that I might not have been otherwise. (PR, project management, event organising, hosting corporate hospitality, etc., etc.) But it's all down to individual taste, and I think Mrs O is a very strong individual and not afraid to be who she is. One of the things I have always loved about Mrs O is that she dresses like I do. Texture, colour, unusual combinations, quirky jewellery. I don't do the bows though!!! And I love that the First Lady job doesn't wear her. She wears IT. She is who she is, even though she is First Lady. Love that.
I liked your comment about costumes, too. I know what you mean. But when I read magazines like Vogue I know that if they photograph a model in a 3 metre long feathered cloak, platform shoes and a diamante bra in the middle of a circus ring, then next winter, I can plan to have an evening handbag that is feathered, and perhaps augment my black evening jacket with diamante buttons, to catch the trend. That's all. or get some feather trim and put that on the lapels of said jacket. I think those shoots are a way of showing the most fantastic ideas, and then you can choose which bit to take and distil.
****
SHARON! Come baaaaaaack. That was a pretty funny conversation, you really should come back and just read it through at least. xx
NEW PICS
http://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/3949395211/
Tx for the link to the new pics, Mia Monte. I am sure this outift will be geting its own post soon.
First...I loooove the red suit, it's a classic look with a refreshing modern twist and it's above all interesting like everything the First Lady wears.
second, the color of her dress for the Met reception is gorgeous, the dress looks like Pinto work( fingers crossed)...
I loved the pumpkin dress for the reception...perfect
@ Barbara I just think styles change and rules change. Moreover, the rules depend on your class, your circle, upbringing and economics. Hence, Laura Bush had a thing for wearing shiny fabric including white and red shinny suits but i did not hear complaints. It popped on Laura and made her stand out. Life evolves, fashion evolves and is recycled. The 60s and 50s clothes are back with slight changes to the fabric usage. I do not believe in your arguments of rules, whose rules? Who formulated the rules and for whom? I am sorry not buying all this connotation of rules. African Americans have their own rules of fashions too, do they become part of these so called traditions? Who gets to determine the "rules"? Who created these rules in the first place?
Its the similar arguments that come up when she wears bright colors, the rules .... whose rules? AS a person of color, bright colors look good on my skin.
I just think Mrs. Obama like her husband cannot win with anybody with the microscope, until she comes out in a paper bag. The standards changes and goal post gets moved all the time.
I forget who wrote she owes it to tradition? Owes what to tradition? What exactly does she owe to tradition? What is the tradition for the first lady? Is it to dress to the approval of the entire nation? Shinny material is a tradition? For whom? Sorry sick of these circular arguments that advance nothing. I think people ought to be careful when you use word like tradition. What is the tradition, shinny suits for nighttime? If that is the case why not such commentary to other ladies that have worn similar outfits.
Posh nice pics. How long did they have to stand to take all those pics?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/3950163400/in/set-72157622444106644/
I like the dress she wore to the reception last night. Nice fall color and a very different color. I don't think we've seen her in that color before. I like the details at the waist cause it makes her waist look really nipped and defined without trying too hard. No belt!!! And her legs look killer in that type of dress length. And of course her arms look great too! Like the draping at the neckline. It's a really nice look and once again she's hit it out the park!
NEW PICS ON YAHOO
I'm liking neither the color nor the fit of the "Met" dress, nor am I liking her hairstyle.
I do like the color of the shoes, though! :-)
There are new pics of Pres. and Mrs. O preparing to board AF1. She is in a blue/ turquoise dress.
I think the new pics on yahoo aren't flattering to the dress. It seems to have a hippie vibe to it, but you can't really see the lines of the dress with the winds blowing it all around. You can barely see the dress in this photo but it's actually the best picture because it's not being blown all over:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//090924/480/b02d3315ee0945b3a92a2ce8b3a125ca/#photoViewer=/090924/480/609ad0b4c2b34d57b51bc571f1396fb1
I like it. It's kind of bohemian and a cute look for traveling and getting off the plane.
I, too, love the color, fabric, and style of this "suit." As almost always, though, it seems too small across the shoulders! As a consequence, it doesn't look comfortable to me. Anyone else see it this way?