Silver Sparkle
Monday, June 7, 2010 at 8:13 AM 
Image by Saul Loeb / Getty Images
Image by Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Image by Brendan Smialowski / Getty Images
The president and first lady attended a taped television performance at Ford's Theatre Saturday evening, titled 'America Celebrates 4th of July', which honored South African Justice Albie Sachs and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu with the 2010 Lincoln Medal. Per the Huffington Post, "The annual event also featured Dick Van Dyke, Kelly Clarkson, George Lopez and other performances and will be aired on July 2."
For the appearance, Mrs. O turned to a silver column dress, paired with a crystal and bow Fenton Fallon necklace, available at J.Crew here.
Update #1: Mrs. O wears a Calvin Klein Collection metallic silk draped back strapless dress, designed by creative director Francisco Costa.
Update #2: Mrs. O carries an Anndra Neen metal clutch.
Reader Comments (125)
This is an administrative matter for any blog, but I noticed this comments policy on Politics Daily. AOL membership seems to be very conservative, so I was surprised to see this come into effect:
Our New Approach to Comments
In an effort to encourage the same level of civil dialogue among Politics Daily’s readers that we expect of our writers – a “civilogue,” to use the term coined by PD’s Jeffrey Weiss – we are requiring commenters to use their AOL or AIM screen names to submit a comment, and we are reading all comments before publishing them. Personal attacks (on writers, other readers, Nancy Pelosi, George W. Bush, or anyone at all) and comments that are not productive additions to the conversation will not be published, period, to make room for a discussion among those with ideas to kick around. Please read our Help and Feedback section for more info.
I know this is an inopportune time on this blog, with Mrs. T so busy, but it might help those who feel the need to be negative to see that other sites take a hard line on uncivil behavior.
Good find, Bevi! I think AOL has articulated exactly the spirit that ought to exist in any conversation, even one that doesn't require face-to-face meeting.
Odd how the three first posters were negative about Mrs O. Almost as if there are people who sit and wait to say nasty things. You must be very proud.
I'm in agreement with the general tenor of comments. It's a funny old length, this dress, and I'm not a fan of the fabric. I love the silver though, LOVE the necklace. And I love the fact that Mrs Obama wears all sorts of things on her long, lean fit body, that I couldn't wear in a million years, despite what other people think, because she likes them. THAT's the most powerful piece of fashion warfare I've ever seen.
Thanks, Bevi, for bringing AOL's forthcoming "civility" policy to the forefront. As a longtime AOL subscriber and, consequently, a longtime Politics Daily reader (though not a posting participant), I have been keenly aware of this change and have thought many a time how it might be applied to the Mrs. O website as well. Thank you for taking the initiative to speak out.
not a fave, but no doubt a gutsy choice.
First, I want to say that I have never posted other than with my usual name. Secondly, while I am not a huge fan of the Obamas, I really don't believe that my comments have been uncivil. Anyone in the public eye, as they are, should expect that there will be criticism of their public appearances, speeches, clothing, etc. It goes with the job.
Just because everyone doesn't share the effusive compliments of everything she does or wears is not enough reason to make catty comments and disparage the criticism of others. I don't think, after reading the comments on this board, that I am alone in my impression of her and her clothing choices. If she is going to be held up as a paragon of style on this website and others, she and her supporters are going to receive comments that reflect both sides of the question.
In any case, her choices reflect her taste and style, so it should be expected that not everyone will agree that she made the best choice in every instance. If that is uncivil, so be it.
Bevi , thank you so much for your post regarding the requirement to identify yourself with a real email address when posting on web sites. I’ve long believed that, if some posters had to go a step further and provide something more than an anonymous screename, that could be easily traced back to them, it might curtail some of the venom that is permeating the Internet in general and this site in particular.
Many of you, if you’re predisposed to look outside the box, realized a long time ago that Asereht, is simply Theresa spelled backwards. I choose that name to prevent a possible duplicate when registering but I would be the first in line to provide my l full real name, and my complete email address if this should become a requirement on this site.
I agree that this is the worst possible time for Mrs. T. to make changes but I would certainly welcome, and even champion, the change.
Theresa
I would appreciate a clarification by Mrs. T on the purpose of her site and the range and tenor of comments that she expects. If this is a place solely for fans (groupies?) of the Obamas, we need to know that. (I didn't think that was even relevant.) If this is a site for discussion of fashion, I need to know what that includes. Can it be a critique in any way? A caveat on my behalf: Michelle is beautiful and almost always looks fantastic. I don't say that a lot because, to me, it's obvious. So my comments tend to be made only when I think there is an issue or problem with a particular garment or look. Maybe I need to broaden my comments to include appreciation! But, please, Mrs. T, give us some guidance.
I don't post often, but every now and then the lunacy really gets to me. What I particularly enjoy about the comments are the wonderful links to pictures, videos, and other stories that are provided by this amazing community. Yes, our first lady is truly amazing, but so are many of the posters here. A very impressive lot.
On Bevi's suggestion, I think blogs are often trying to get a handle on this so true discussion can prevail. Doesn't happen very often. Politico may have introduced stricter rules a year or so ago. No true discussion is evident at this point, but the comments are less crude.
Not been on here in a while. Just different priorities, I guess. I read the comments and have to look back at the pics above because you all are seeing details that I really don't see. How can you see she looks tired from 3 pics, one of which doesn't even show her face? Guess from visiting other websites?
LOVE:
Her necklace. Loved it when she was on the cover of Glamor but I love it even more now than I did then. I hope it goes on sale and I might consider getting it. Really unusual but shouldn't be too difficult to create myself.
The clutch. So beautiful but I can imagine it cost a fortune.
NOT LOVE:
Not a fan of the shiny fabric of the dress. Same issue I had with the blue State dinner dress. Reminds me of clubbing clothes that teenagers and 20 sth year olds wear in the clubs in DC.
Love, peace & Joy!
Edie, if you think you can come on here and spew your HATRED as criticism and not be called out and roasted for it everytime, then you have another thing coming. While you're dishing it, make sure you can take it. We definitely are not going to let people who are "not too fond" of the Obamas take over this site. If you want to continue to be called out for your foolishness, so be it!!! :-/
Congratulations Trinisamba!! May your day be beautiful and a lifetime of happiness with your beau!!! Thanks mszonian524, I love your posts too!! Let's never let the nasty folks takeover this site ever!!
Great find Bevi!! Hopefully Mrs T will consider instituting a similar id system.
"Edie", why waste any length of time on a website dedicated to a woman you don't like? Obviously, those of us who adore Mrs Obama are NEVER going to come to our senses so yours really is an exercise in futility. By the way, are you being paid or is this pro bono?
I actually do not like this dress - which is probably a first for me and Mrs. Obama's attire. But as I've stated previously... it's not for me to like really, it's for her to like!
I still LOVE her! Go Michelle :):)
Clutch info posted.....YES!!!! These designing sisters make AMAZING bags, clutches and jewelry. I'm looking out for knock offs! Can't afford their originals - LOL!
Great heavenly days. That Mrs. T should have to issue an edict stating that "appreciation" on this website is "okay" may just have sent me over the edge. Or at least very close to it. The flip-side to this sort of reasoning would seem to be that "just fashion" websites exist solely to post thoughts about what might have worked better, or, more negatively, what did not work. There are those of us here who have found heartfelt, diplomatic, intensely thoughtful, and even funny ways to express our opinions about what may or not have worked for Mrs. O, fashion-wise, on any given day, according to our personal outlook and predilection. And this is fine, this is great, this is good. I honestly think that Mrs. O would laugh heartily (and maybe does) about the whole kit and kaboodle. But to question whether appreciation is appropriate? This makes me want to go lie down with a cool cloth on my head.
I am, by the way, at least 40 years beyond what could have been mildly considered a "groupie." What a dated phrase and what a finite outlook. Sorry, folks. This got me all stirred up.
JMH
Oh, how I wish I was as polite as you when I get "all stirred up" JMH, LOL :-)
Mrs. Obama is simply breathtaking! Every time she steps out in the public eye, it is always with such style and class that makes me, an African American woman very, very, very proud! You go girl!
TEN!!!!! omg, look at those muscles in her back. I ought to be shamed of myself at 31 for looking the way I do. I could certainly stand to be more toned.
Dag on it, Let's Move!
Edie outed herself when she posted that she did not believe her comments to be uncivil. One of the tenets of the perception of comments of any kind (political, sexual, etc.) is the receiver(s') perceptions of the comments (in this case, other readers, and a moderator) are the perceptions that count - not the perception of the contributor.
So, Edie can feel her comments are perfectly fine - which she obviously does - but that does not make her comments necessarily acceptable to other readers. Think about that, Edie.
I think this dress is nice, but I must say that silver (and gray shades) are not my favorites on Mrs. O. With her warm skin tone she is gorgeous in orange, gold, bronze, yellow, cream, etc. And also many of the jewel tones. She is extremely fortunate that many colors suit her. But I am not a big fan of silver or gray on her. Had to say it! Love the necklace and the cut of the dress, etc. Just not the color on her.
The silver color is beautiful. The material is quite popular right now, even though I agree it gives a slight cheap look to the dress and doesn't flatter her figure as much as other materials/cuts have in the past. That's the price for being trendy though. You can't be trendy and experiment without accepting some degree of imperfection from time to time.
Not my favorite look but it's not horrible. Definitely we have learned from it that she carries off silver well and perhaps she'll reincarnate this look in a better cut/material design in the future.
I did think her hair and makeup were just beautiful. She looks maybe more sedate than usual. Not sure if she's tired or what but that's the normal ebb and flux of life too. No one person can be one thing all the time. She's multi-dimensional. It's unfair to expect her to always be energetic or always be perfectly dressed. Are you?
Saying the President and First Lady should not attend social events during the Gulf Spill is pretty unrealistic. We've been at war since 2001 as well - so should the entire country shut down in honor of that? Should we all have been wearing black since 9/11? The first post-9/11 Oscars everyone dressed more sedate but in recent years they have not. What have you done that was "fun" since the war? I'm sure you've done something fun in your life and not just spent the last 9 years reflecting on the sadness of war.
Life must go on even during periods of great turmoil....that's what makes life...well....life. That's what makes BO a great leader. He cannot just sit down and cry over one thing. He must keep the country and all it's many, many facets moving forward even when we currently face adversity on many fronts. To give up would be un-American.
She looks GREAT. To the person who commented on the First Couple attending and having too many parties, I believe all of our presidents and first ladies hosted events. Things are good and bad in this country (and it will forever be) but they should not stop living.
Loved the comment about broadening comments to include appreciation. No really. I roared. Please explain to me what is the point of coming on to a blog every day and posting only the bad things you see? Because you think that those need pointing out? To whom? How patronising is that??! I don't think it's my job to come on here and point out what is wrong with Mrs O's clothes. Sometimes I don't like what she is wearing but I don't think "oh lordy how dull I've got nothing nasty to say" and then switch off the laptop. I try and post something positive every time I come on here. Even when I've hated the outfit I've tried to say something positive about some part of it. What's the point otherwise? Just to indulge in savaging someone who couldn't care less about your opinion? Or is it because we're back to the original old chestnut - Mrs Obama doesn't know how to dress or behave?
Well, this is a long old argument. On this outfit there have been comments that Mrs Obama shouldn't wear a dress that shows off her nipples. I didn't see nipples, but if I did, why not? Does the First Lady need to have them removed? Is it wrong for the First Lady to retain an actual body with actual bodily functions and reactions? Should she have both breasts removed so that she looks like an asexual shop manikin? I'm not sure where the rules start and stop for this. Is it wrong for the First Lady to be cold? All these rules I never knew about!
Then we've had the comment about Mr & Mrs O being out every other night and behaving in an elitist manner. ABsolutely. I just BET they are. Because days go buy without us seeing them photographed outside of the White House. So obviously they are secretly out and about profligately wasting the nations expenses on nights out that are a COMPLETE secret. Bound to be.
Tricky balance though, being "not classy" AND "elitist"......
The point of this blog as far as I understand it is to talk about Mrs O's style. What does it say? Follow the fashion - whom and what is she wearing? To be positive about something does not mean being a groupie or a fan. We have republican voters who come here because they love Mrs O's style. They manage to be positive about Mrs O's style and admire what she does with her time. Is it so hard for some of you people to be nice? I'm just curious. Why not just go to a hater blog and mix it up with some of the other misery guts. Really. You could all organise a convention and sit there pointing at imaginary nipples and hemlines that are a millimetre "too short" and gasop with horror over a fabric you've never seen before. It would be a BLAST. Just, you know, don't have any fun or someone might have something to say about that.
Is this the same necklace Mrs. O wore on the cover of Glamour last winter?
Very glam dress.
Maria
http://www.CarinaNewYork.com