Voyage to Ireland

The Obamas traveled to Lough Erne, Northern Ireland where the president will attend the G-8 summit this week. Leaving the White House on Sunday evening, Mrs. O wore a Tracy Reese Combo Frock in Black and Parchment Gingham, previously seen here, paired with a cropped cardigan and structured ladylike black bag.

Landing in Northern Ireland this morning, Mrs. O had changed ensembles, debuting a Burberry trench coat. First up for the official events: the First Lady joined President Obama for a speech at Waterfront Hall in Belfast, Ireland. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a matte gold top paired with rust colored pants (seen earlier at Aldergrove International Airport). Layers of pearl and stone necklaces completed the look - a masterful neutral mix!

Later in the day, Mrs. O traveled with her daughters to Dublin, Ireland, where the family visited Trinity College, Old Library, reviewing archives that document the Obamas' Irish ancestry. For this appearance, Mrs. O updated her look by adding a printed, open vest from designer Lela Rose.

On Monday evening, Mrs. O viewed a special performance by the Riverdance company at the historic Gaiety Theatre, joined by Moya Doherty, co-founder of Riverdance, Fionnuala Kenny, the wife of the Taoiseach Enda Kenny, and Sabina Higgins, the wife of the President of Ireland, Michael Higgins. For this appearance, Mrs. O changed once more, wearing an Azalea Silk Crepe top and Navy Merino Wool blazer from Narciso Rodriguez, paired with black pants. Black pumps and earrings from Susan Hanover completed the look.

Tracy Reese Repeat

It's been a quiet week or two for Mrs. O in terms of official events and appearances. Today the First Lady returned to the public eye, attending her daughter Sasha's dance recital at the Strathmore Music Center in Bethesda, Maryland. For the event, Mrs. O wore an Indigo Floral Jersey Dress by Tracy Reese, first seen in April 2010, here, and again in June 2010, here. Mustard hued flats, gold hoop earrings and a cream clutch completed the summer look.

Oscar de la Renta talks Mrs. O

Given this blog has followed Oscar de la Renta's comments about the first lady's style to date, it seems only fair to continue. In last week's talk with Fern Mallis at the 92Y in New York City, the designer clarified his past statements:

"Michelle Obama makes a terrific first lady. Would I like to dress her? I would like dress every woman. She is not an elected official. This is the only country where the first lady does play a very important public role. I see that fact as lost opportunities. I was upset [that] when the Chinese prime minister came for an official visit, she [Michelle Obama] wore a dress from a foreign designer [Alexander McQueen]. What a lost opportunity to promote an American industry. I am sure she didn't do it on purpose. She was just not well-advised. She is a good-looking lady who could do tremendous help to make this very big industry grow more."

"De la Renta Opens Up at 92Y" [WWD]

Garden Green

The First Lady hosted students from Ship Bottom and Union Beach, New Jersey on Tuesday to harvest the summer crop from the White House kitchen garden. On the style front, Mrs. O kept things fresh, pairing a lime green gingham shirt with navy pants.

Pretty in Peter Soronen

The President and First Lady attended the wreath laying ceremony in honor of Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia today.

On the style front, Mrs. O wore a painted cotton lace dress from Peter Soronen, previously seen in April 2009, here. It is a true delight to see Mrs. O wearing Peter Soronen once again! In keeping with her style signatures, Mrs. O paired the dress with green pumps, a cream cardigan and House of Lavande jeweled belt at the waist.