Scenes from the Weekend (Updated)
Monday, August 17, 2009 at 10:46 AM 
Photo by Mandel Ngan / Getty Images
The Os made several stops out west this weekend as part of a working vacation for the president. Saturday brought a visit to Old Faithful Geyser at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Mrs. O wore an ensemble quite similar to that sported in Paris, reintroducing her Rick Owen Lillies vest.
Photo by Mandel Ngan / Getty Images
Landing in Arizona, Mrs. O debuted a new summer dress, paired with a Sacai belt. We have an idea about the dress, but want to confirm details first...
UPDATE: Thanks to those who contributed fabulous tips in the comments section. We have confirmed that Mrs. O's dress is in fact Merona from Target. It is from a past collection and no longer in stores. Another major moment for democratic fashion - hooray!
Merona, Rick Owens, Sacai, Target
Reader Comments (75)
I came thisclose to mentioning the whole "getting naked in Air Force One" issue, but decided it would be waaay too shocking for these delicate sensibilities. Thanks, Sharon, for making the leap! LOL
I was talking with my husband this weekend about the whole dust up regarding the Os being on vacation when the country (actually, the world) is in such crisis, and who is paying for it. His response was that he could live with us picking up part of the tab so the president could get out of DC for a little r&r. In his words: "I want him rested so he can think clearly. And I want him to stay connected to the world outside the bubble he's forced to live in, so he doesn't lose touch with the people he's serving."
@Christina: I used the "Starwars" reference about the Alaia belt MO wears so often. The president gave that nickname to one of her favorite belts, and I believe it is that one. My memory of this quote is that it sounded like he didn't love it all the time either, and also that he sounded a little baffled by her fascination with all things sartorial. But all we have to do is look at his expressionin countless photos of them to know he loves the result!
Can't understand why women here are thinking that it would be better for Michell not to wear shorts in public while she is First Lady. Women should be supporting each other's freedoms, not trying to keep each other in the 1950's.
First point: She's fit as HELL and can wear shorts and look great.
Second point: What gives any of us the right to judge what someone else wears so long as they are within the laws of public decency?
Third point: There are some countries where men lay down the law about what women can wear in public. America, as far as I'm aware, is not one of those countries. Be VERY careful people. When we say this kind of stuff, we adhere to unwritten rules that deny women the right to wear the clothes of their choice and not be looked at askance. The lady is fit, the lady is beautiful, the lady is stylish, the lady is a mother. She is wearing shorts that are halfway down her thigh, a Tshirt and shirt. She does not have her backside hanging out. She is an extraordinary role model and when she is out with her husband and children visiting the Grand Canyon, she can wear shorts in Air Force One, in the President's limo, wherever the hell she likes.
Those tired rules, that worn and shoddy perception of what is "appropriate", that old fashioned and inhibiting notion of what makes a "lady"..... you know, you want to look at them all and ask yourself: do you think those 'rules' are there to encourage you to be free, strong and self expressed? Or were they put there to ensure you dress as you're told to, to fit into a 'safe' mould, so that you can be labelled the "bad" person if you dare to do what YOU want, so that men can say "well she was wearing shorts"? (Let me assure you, it's No. 2.)
Women need to stop dissing each other when a lady is doing what she wants to do and looking FINE.
Shorts against protocol??? Ohhhhh grow up.
Sorry Mrs T. Delete me if you will. This archaic "Keep The Women Down" talk works my last nerve.
@Anagrom:
"Ok, can I just say I really want to know what is on Malia's camera. What must it all look like from her perspective?"
I *completely* agree. Remember how she was taking pictures with her little camera during all the inauguration events? If she were to publish a book later of those little snapshots, I bet it would be so cute. "So, here's Daddy shaving on the morning before he was inaugurated president. And here's a picture of Bo."
Thanks for having my back yall. I knew there wasn't a "you can't wear shorts in the presidential limo" rule because Barack uses that limo everywhere he goes, like to the golf course and to play basketball and I know he's not wearing a suit when he's getting ready to workout.
Try again Mrs R
As always - well said, Posh. And I appreciate your viewpoint even more because you are across the pond.
A few simple rebuffs would have sufficed instead of the astonishing venom that's been unleashed towards Mrs. R.
I agree, the "no jeans' comment was odd but easily enough verified to be untrue without being nasty about it.
Ladies, let's show some class. Keep it cuss-free and reign in your tempers over such mundane issues. It isn't worth getting so worked up over.
Could she be any more glamourous with the fabulously simple chignon. She pulls every look off with such ease and comfort. Go Mom in Cheif!
Well put Posh Tater!
BeeGee = MrsG?!
For her trip to the Grand Canyon, it appears that Mrs. O wore black Chaco sandals. I heart my Chacos. http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20090816/capt.41770960a1b64d59aa586c2676480923.obama_azmy102.jpg?x=268&y=345&q=85&sig=0RFqTUBMqCWAqVxvPPk0kw--
canyongal--
I can tell you why there is so much venom being spewed here though I didn't notice any cussing. We're fed up with right-wing political operatives twisting every little thing the president and his family do and even things they don't do into derogatory matters. Our fuse now is pretty short and passions flame quickly--mine, too. We're tired of this stupidity and are not going to take it lying down anymore.
Target?!!! Wow. She makes that dress look like some expensive brand name, or one of the high quality indie brands she favors. I think this is a testament to Mrs. O's wonderful philosophy when it comes to clothes. Good design is good design period. I also think it shows how important it is to love, care and appreciate the potential in all of your clothing purchases, no matter how cheap or how long ago it was purchased. You can clearly see she takes good care of her wardrobe because pieces like this still look fresh and new. I hate to reduce people to their clothing, because Mrs. Obama is so much more than that, but I think this says a lot about her outlook on life and where she places her priorities.
My, my, my, so much sarcasm!! Why is it necessary?
1. I've not known an airline to enforce any type of dress code in several decades.
2. People have different ideas about how certain people in public life "should" dress.
3. Some people don't like seeing anyone over 18 in shorter shorts. Living in S. Florida, some of us are scarred for life from seeing way too much of the older male residents here who don't know how to sit in shorter shorts.
4. Knee-length shorts are NOT old-lady shorts. That's the length I wear, and they do NOT add 20 years. It's the length my 27-year-old daughter wears, and her legs are a match for MO's.
5. These are all just opinions!!! As long as they're respectfully presented, take a deep breath and let it go!
Back to the discussion board!
Audrey,
It's Ms G, and no, there is no connection between me and BeeGee.
All,
I meant to add in my previous post that any comment I have made expresses only my personal preferences and is in no way meant to be an edict about how anyone else should dress.
Did anyone catch a glimpse of Mrs. O's black sandals that she was wearing when exiting the plane in Arizona? They were a black gladiator or toe strap sandal. They were super chic. If any one knows pleas share!
The shorts were appropriate since the first lady was hiking the Grand canyon trail...not "trotting around the city"
from some people's comments here , one would think that we are discussing the British royal family....not the youngest, hippest first AMERICAN family in generation...geez
I think 99% of that was addressed at Mrs R, not you MsG. Mine certainly wasn't.
In general, I think it needs to be borne in mind that when a bunch of posters all come out and say "hey, wait a minute", it's not a concerted effort. I didn't know that a lot of other people were going to be horrified by Mrs R's comments as I was. So, it just happens that a lot of us felt that Mrs R was out of line. That's all.
It's my view/opinion that the conventions and expectations that surround people in public office or people who are famous can be really dangerous.
Would I expect my next door neighbour to wear a suit, or a skirt to church or to go on holiday? No! It's important that she goes and has a nice time, not what she's wearing. Same applies to any public figure.
When we expect women to dress in a certain way for private family occasions or holiday, we are saying that we expect them to be different to us, to be soignee at all times, to be special and fantastic, and we are edging them close to a pedestal. That's when it gets tricky. The higher we expect their standards to be, the greater the disappointment when they turn out to go to the bathroom just like we do. To have a short temper on occasion, to wear shorts or leggings when out with the kids, just like us. Shock! Horror! They're human!
I have an objection to those girls who will insist on sharing their waxing tips with us as they climb out of a car, or guys with their shirts off wandering round town on a hot day. Mostly because I notice that men in Australia, Cyprus and France all manage to keep their shirts on when it's 44 degrees, so I can't help thinking that boys with their kit off in a record shop (that has air conditioning) on a day when it hits 32 are actually wanting to make a point about something ELSE.
Anyway. A bit more opinion!!!! Hehehe.
I hope you're OK MsG, I wasn't having a go at you personally.
Hey, Posh,
Yes, I'm quite okay! But thanks. I knew your remarks were not aimed at me personally, and I do see what you're saying.
Just for another opinion, if Mrs. O had shown up in shorts that revealed the tips of her butt or if her shirt had missed connecting with her shorts by a few midriff-baring inches, I would probably have thought there was a decency issue. As is, it's just personal taste. I don't think short shorts are a flattering look for most people past their 20's; and trust me, I see a LOT of them! On your next trip to the U.S., take a swing through S. Florida, and you'll never be able to look at a pair of shorts the same way again. ;-) I also don't find them very flattering on taller people, like MO, because they accentuate the height. That's all for my opinion. Well, until next time--hehehehehehe.
Hehehehe. Well I'll have to won't I, if we're going to shoot the .... well, you know! One thing struck me as funny - one of the reason I liked the shorts was precisely because they made her look even taller!!!
Ohhhh I do know what you mean about the shorts. That issue - Shorts As Grievous Health Warning - is a popular one here too. I see too many cut-offs on size 26 ladies. They seem to be particularly popular in white. Arg. And you know, a bit of me says why not? They don't care so why should I? My other dress bug bear.... actually, maybe I should start a thread for this....
umm, what would YOU people where if you were going to go hiking in a DESERT in August?!?!?! A pants-suit?!?!?! Give me a break!
When my husband got "upgraded" to traveling first class on business, he went out and bought some designer jeans to conform to the dress code!
Mrs.O. I am a retired black female with 30years years of experience at the local, state and federal government level in Criminal Justice, Public Relations and, adjunct professor in higher education and research . I started working on my new presidents campaign when he ran against Hillary Clinton. Your high intellectual acomplishments, your love for your family and your expertise in the administrative endeavors that you accomplished in your career.
You are a beautiful young women. You are not old as your former first Ladies. I would never any of clothing that they wear, with the exception of Jackie O. The lastest rumor is that you are on and wearing shorts. I brought you a book, the latest Life Remembering Jackie 15 years later. It is obvious to that Jackie Kenedy could never dress as well as you. I loved Jackie Kennedy for her brains and beauty. Her clothing were sixtes clothing. You have brought in your own regiem of dressing, and brains that you worked hard to obtain, Princeton and Harvard degrees! you have the right to pay $500.00 for one tennis shoe. Your parents also sturggled for you and your brother. Nancy Reagan spent three million dollars on her size two clothes. Both of Nancy Inagaural dresses had only one strap. She and President were pure hollywood. Nandy and President Reagan failed to list that information on their income. They were billed for the $ three Million that they owed the Government. President Reagan Paid the three million dollars to keep from losing his Presidental Seat. First Lady Jackie Kennedy wore short shorts when she was on vacation at Hannas Port. When she was pregnant she wore shorts and smoked cigarette. The First Bush Lady had Eartha Kitt exiled form the United States. During a Luncheon at the White House Eartha Kitt made a statment about the Viet Nam War The First Lady Bush became outraged at Eartha's Kitt comment. She spent years traveling and dancing in Europe with the Famous Dunham Dancers. President Carter welcomed her back to the White House. We lost her in December 2008, at the age of 83 or 84. She exercised twice a day until she became too weak. She also danced at one or two major clubs. "Catwomen" Eartha started a free dance school for young children who did not have the financial funds. The tea parties that Sarah Palin and other individuals have formed, are tea parties whose foundation are based on the Revolutionary War and racism. As you aware the first solider killed in this was Christ Attuks a Black Solider.(sp) Enjoy your self , your mom, my President, your beautiful young ladies and Bo. I am so excited that your clothes are "2009" "2010" and the future, unique, beautiful, and you. It is wonderful that Paul McCartney dedicated his song Michelle to you. I am a baby boomer and I am still in love with Paul McCartney and Sam Cooke. Remember I Still Rise "Maya Angelou"
Why such fuss over an above-the-knee hem? You can see plenty of them everywhere,
including Washington DC. Maybe all the ladies, Mrs O included, should vow to wear their
hems well above their knees untill the terror war is over. Why do I object?
The first lady shouldn't givre in to the "politically correct" thought police.
Mrs. R, what commercial airline do you fly that doesn't allow jeans in First Class? Was the last time you flew in a plane 1965 or something?
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