Heat Wave
Thursday, July 21, 2011 at 8:11 PM 
Photos by Jason Hirschfeld, Gerry Broome / AP Images; Elaine Sanchez / DOD Photo
The First Lady had a full Thursday, taping an appearance for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in Fayetteville, North Carolina (where, speaking of extreme, Mrs. O had to endure stifling East Coast heat), followed by a visit to Oceana Naval Air Station in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
The Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episode focuses on a North Carolina community resource center for homeless female veterans, which will be redesigned and expanded with a new greenhouse and children’s playhouse. The episode is scheduled to air in October. The First Lady's TV appearance, as well as her stop in Virginia Beach, are part of her Joining Forces initiative with Jill Biden to support military service members and their families.
Style wise, Mrs. O stayed cool with a pair of summer dresses belted at the waist. For her TV appearance, the First Lady chose a vibrant blue and green Chris Benz Nelda dress from Resort 201, seen here, accessorized with a jeweled bee belt from House of Lavande. For the stop at Oceana Naval Air Station, Mrs. O turned to a trustworthy staple, a Merona for Target dress, paired with a Sacai belt, first seen in August 2009, here.
Some will remember that Malia Obama wore a Chris Benz dress this January, seen here. To my knowledge, this is the first occasion that the First Lady has done the same. Chris Benz is a young Parsons alum, who cut his teeth as a designer of dresses and special occasion for J.Crew before venturing out with his own eponymous label in 2007.
Chris Benz, House of Lavande, Merona, Sacai, Target
Reader Comments (39)
OMG noone told me she was in my backyard!!! The green dress is lovely and yes it was HOT today!
LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! If only we all had Mrs. O's style and fashion!
wow! If only more people looked that great when they are sweating!
She looks beautiful in both outfits. Wish I could look as good in all this heat! (or anytime actually)...
The Torquoise and Green Color combo is a refeshing color palette. Mrs. Obama introduces color schemes like no other. She looks perfect in her wardrobe choice- Sophisticated and approachable; Mature and fun and always on point. Love the jeweled belt. Glistening for a cause!
The Torquoise and Green Color combo is a refeshing color palette. Mrs. Obama introduces color schemes like no other. She looks perfect in her wardrobe choice- Sophisticated and approachable; Mature and fun and always on point. Love the jeweled belt. Glistening for a cause!
She makes it all look good....she is flawless. I wish I could rock summer dresses the way she does. And the fact that she is wearing a dress from Target is fantastic. What American doesn't shop at Target? I'm telling you, she's a one woman economy booster! Can't wait to see the Extreme Makeover episode. She looks beautiful.
Cool as a cucumber, and super-flattering! Great close-up of that gorgeous belt. Thank you!
Both dresses are cute but I must have the green one in my life please !!! Any word on the designer ?
I wish the weather would warm up over here. It's July and the weather feels like autumn. We have had rain non stop since last week. I have so many Mrs O inspired emsembles to wear but to good weather to show them off in !!
The belt is House of Lavande vintage belt.
The Duchess of Cambridge's wedding dress is going on show at Buckingham Palace from tomorrow until 3 October (as I'm sure you all know). It's not in a glass case, but displayed in the centre of the ballroom so that visitors can get pretty near it - to about 8 feet, I understand. I'm hoping to fit in a trip later in the summer. I wish Historic Royal Palaces would put on a display of all the royal wedding dresses since 1947. (The Queen Mother's from 1923 is apparently too fragile for public display.) Now, that would be a ticket worth getting hold of!
The forecast is for better weather soon, Jestina. It was raining all morning 'up north' but is warm and sunny this afternoon. Let's hope Londoners get the benefit of all those fabulous outfits soon!
Terrific Summer Dresses
Wonderful Smile
She looks so fresh in that green dress. I like both choices -- just right for the weather and the occasions.
The blue and green dress looks very fresh, although I don't think I'd want to wear a belt -- even such a pretty one -- in this heat. It's great to see that Merona again and doesn't Mrs. O look even MORE fit now than when she first wore it?!?
WOW! Does she ever look cool! How can you so look good and sweat?
Both dresses are so summerish and perfect for her. And those arms! I know she is used to sweating during her consistent workout routined. But does she have to look so good? She inspires me to do and look my best whenever and whatever I do.
It is so hot in NYC, ladies. as I am sure all over the country. But duty calls. I am a volunteer for the 2012 reelection of this beautiful woman's husband (only adult at the table). Donations are great, but get out there this weekend and encourage the volunteers who will brave the heat. Even to offer some cold water or a warm smile.
Have a great weekend and stay cool, calm, collect.
YES, WE CAN. DO THIS.....TOGETHER, AGAIN!
I would love to see the shoes that she wore with these two lovely sun dresses.
I think she looks double cute in both dresses! :)
YEP, I truly adore this lady!!
Look at this BEAUTIFUL pic of Mrs. O with beautiful kids all on and around her:
http://theobamadiary.com/2011/07/21/childs-play-5
Mrs. O is probably helping bring back the summer dress. There is a huge spread in yesterday's Style section of the NY Times about summer dresses.
Cool dressing in the "heat wave!"
:0)
Wow...perspiring and still looking as chic as ever! I like the first dress very much...the belt is charming.
I was just in Target this morning...glad to see that Merona dress again, it is a fave of mine. That pulled back hair do of hers is working in this oppressive heat on the east coast. She looks wonderful!
Now I know the definition of, "I don't sweat, I glisten."
And that belt! What an original.
Oops. The Queen has just described the wedding dress exhibit as 'horrid'. Poor curator!
However, since this is a blog for Mrs Obama's fashions and style, I'll now stop with the royal commentary.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Refreshingly adorable
I love the ring (middle finger-left hand) in the 2nd picture. I wish I could see the design more clearly. It caught my eye, because I wear a peace ring (hang over from my hippy days) on that same finger…only I wear mine between the 1st and 2nd joint. It’s yet another small example of her uniqueness that endears me!
I love so many things about Mrs. Obama: her hands-on support for military families, her attention to America's lack of fitness, and her enthusiasm for her job. But her biggest gift to women is to put on a dress from Target and show that beauty, real glorious beauty shines from the inside out and makes a woman positively radiant. What a role model.
I love how real Michelle Obama is! I can think of a few former first ladies who would not have been caught dead 'glistening' in public! Michelle Obama being on Extreme Makeover is more than enough for me to watch it for the very first time! She actually had on some 'work clothes' while they were filming her pitching in to help. So please click here to see these 9 additional photos of Flotus from Huffington Post.
That blue and green dress is fantastic.
Hugs from Brasil
Tereza
The First Lady looks more amazing with every day! I love her in the fresh simple looks! Going 48 and looking incredible! Go Michelle Obama!!!
Two pretty dresses. She looks quite nice and appropriate for the events.
I love her and second Karen's comments. Her "realness" shines like bright sun!
That Michelle is one IMPRESSIVE First Lady. And that turquoise/green dress is a knockout and enhances her already vibrant beauty.... Barack Obama is so damn lucky to have a lady like her. And I'm sure he knows it.
I love the dress and the pics of Mrs. O! They inspire me to work on my arms so I can wear such flattering sun dresses!
@ Vivienne, thanks for the link!
Yes, our Michelle makes it all look so easy. A simple sun dress can be a girl's best friend on a hot, steamy day. The weather has been something to be desired as of late, and yet she still manages to look picture perfect.
Love both dresses.....that's our Michelle!
No heat wave in Paris... yikes!
Love the green!!
She looks so chic! The blue and green dress is definitely my favorite, and the gold and white cabochon belt is such a fabulous addition to an already beautiful outfit!
Love that blue and green dress and the adorable belt.
That blue and green dress is so beautiful. I think Mrs O. would like a dress from MARIMEKKO, Finland with lovely bright colours. Jackie Kennedy wore one at 1960's and she was a trendsetter. Nice summerdays to everybody from Finland.
I love the blue and green dress! Its so beautiful and represents Earth!