White House Debut for Maria Pinto Frock
Monday, November 10, 2008 at 3:43 PM 
Photo courtesy of the White House / Chris Greenberg
Mrs. O made this one easy on us. It turns out our election night prediction was off by a few days, as Mrs. O wore the coral-red Maria Pinto dress to visit the White House today (as many of you have already flagged - we love the group effort here).he coral-red silk crepe sheath features three-quarter sleeves, an empire waist and a high neckline with a burst of sunray pleats emanating from the collar. Purchased several months ago, but not yet worn to a major event, Pinto thought Mrs. O might debut it for election night. Mrs. O accessorized the look with simple gold hoop earrings and patent leather red heels.
We have to say, Mrs. O looked fresh-faced and well-rested today. The mini break post-election has really done her well. And the dress. The clean lines flatter her figure, while the pleating at the neckline adds just the right touch of detail. If this isn't Jackie-esque, we don't know what is. This also makes good on President-elect Mr. O's promise to Maria Pinto: "You're coming to D.C. with us!" he said to the designer as he greeted friends and family backstage at Grant Park last Tuesday evening.
Though there's never been much doubt, we can say confidently that Maria Pinto will soon hold the same clout Oleg Cassini did in the Jackie Kennedy era.
Update: Have a peek at this Washington Post video for full coverage. And these exclusive photos from inside the White House.
Date: November 10, 2008
Venue: President-elect Mr. O and future First Lady Mrs. O visit the White House
Maria Pinto in Outfits
Reader Comments (40)
i certainly wasn't sure about it from the looks of the sketch but i have to say i like it on her way better!
-L.
www.elledub4prez.com
A beautiful choice. I do wish she had chosen this one for election night; it would have paired much more easily with a jacket for a chilly Chicago evening outdoors.
Gorgeous dress, and the color couldn't be better for her. My only criticism is the hemline is ever-so-slightly too low. It makes her look a little frumpy, with thick legs, where showing another inch or so of leg (she has beautiful ones!) would have lengthened her.
I loved the dress! So chic...sometimes less is better.
Love the dress. Not digging it with the dark red shoes, however.
Love the dress...Maria Pinto dresses fit Mrs. O like a glove...I wish I could fit dresses that zip up the back like that...they don't work for me...my little gut just makes them so unpretty...lol!
She looks great! Love the color! Could be a tad shorter, I agree, but it's the 1st visit to the White House, better to err on the side of caution.
Oh the other hand, Laura Bush's dress is killing me. Brown is not her friend.
I love this dress and yes it could be shorter. And forgive me but I wish she would wear higher heels!!! I know she is tall but ugh, couldn't she do at least 2 inches??? I cannot stand those low heeled shoes on her. She is young and fabulous. She needs heels!!!!!! Please does someone out there agree with me!!!????
So happy to see that this dress is being well received. I just love it.
Tritesse - you raise an interesting point regarding the heels. Mrs. O has been quoted saying that she actually prefers flats, which are better suited for chasing after the girls and her hectic schedule. We actually did a post about it: http://www.mrs-o.org/?p=734
Thanks for keeping me updated on Mrs. O's dress. I love Maria Pinto's designs.
Nice pick! She should have worn this Election Night. I agree with the comments above regarding hemline: lower length would lengthen stubby looking legs, or, shorter would draw away from middle (if she is going to be a Mrs. O: must at least LOOK lean). Flats are OK s stylish bt I agree that heels hotten up any lady...
Being a shoe fanatic, I agree with Tritesse about the heels. I truly understand wearing flats for everyday comfort, but for special occassions, a nice 3-4 inch heel would definitely step her game up. A nice shoe can bring a look from ordinary to extraordinary.
I AGREE with the "Needs heels" comment. :) The 1st Lady looked fab in the that red dress but a higher heel would have definitely given it to the last family, if you will. :) Chelle is a designers dream. Honey don't allow them to wake up with your low heel misstep. :( I get you prefer heels to chase the little darlings around however, you will now have "The Secret People" to do that for you. Step it up!!!
This is my new fave website, BTW. I loved the fit of the dress but in photos there was a weird horizontal wrinkle across the front...maybe she wasn't standing up straight. It's a winner, though. Poor Mrs. Bush looked 112 years old, which is sad because she's an attractive lady who is styled more like her MIL than someone her own age...
This outfit does not score well in my book. The high neckline and empire waistline together were a bit too much for me. For a tall Michelle, a low neckline showing off her neck would have been better with the empire waistline.
I loved the Narcisso Rodriguez election day ensemble. It had simply beautiful lines that looked so good on her.
This is TOOO red. She has big thighs and hips and her dress choices makes them stand out. Besides, just because she wears designer dresses, doesn't mean they look good on her.
I totally agree with the shoes thing. 3" heels look way more professional.
Finally jewelery: BIG earings!! too unprofessional.
I don't believe in the 3"heel = professional look theory proposed by sara whose theory on the earrings too sound a bit too...hmmm....
I have really enjoyed most of Mrs. O's dress choices, they are classy, but this red one does not enhance her figure IMHO a) because of the combined effect of empire waist and high neck and b) the pleats around the neck.
if she wore heels she would be way taller than mr. president...that would not be cool; i agree with the comments on mrs. bush ( oh my!)
btw..i love this site..it's fab!
Fan-freakin'-tastic dress! I do agree it could be a teensy bit shorter, but these are the kinds of styles the First Lady should be wearing! And pleeeeeease more bright colors! I'm sick to death of the drab, dull, depressing colors worn by one First Lady after another ... Laura Bush, I'm talking to you! Mrs. Bush is a pretty woman with nice features and a good figure. She needs to highlight that.
And props to Mrs. O for rocking the low heels and flats! Not every woman can wear high heels. I think it's fantastic that she prefers flat shoes.
She looks wonderful. I definately agree with those who thought she should have worn this on election night. Although, the Narciso Rodriguez dress is growing on me each time I see the pic. As for all the commments about her hips and thighs and legs... she is a real woman. I am just glad that she embraces her body and flatters it with beautiful outfits. What a wonderful role model to all women.
I thought of your election night prediction when I saw the dress today. I absolutely loved it on her. I think apart from comfort, she doesn't wear high heels so she doesn't tower over her husband. I'm sure some imagie consultant must have told her that. And, to the person who has a problem with hips, of course she has hips and thighs, she's a woman, not an adolescent boy. We really need to get over this belief that a good figure means shapeless.
I don't mind the low heels - it's just that the relationship of the heel to the proportions of the dress become that more critical. Most dresses are designed with a 3"+ shoe in mind, so some alterations will need to be made. With this dress, a true knee length hem would have been better for a 2"-3" heel. Michelle needs to really get some jazzy kitten heels with emphasis on shape, color/texture, cutouts, etc. to offset the low profile.
The pleats just don't work for me. Otherwise this dress fits so beautifully, and then this wierdness around the neckline? Michie O would have done so much better with a simple neckline and a brooch...
Mrs. Obama is a force. The many comparisons to Jackie Onassis don't add to the coverage of Mrs. Obama. She's not Jackie Part Deux. She is the original Michelle.
:)
Since Mrs. Obama is quite tall, now that she's a public figure it's a tricky thing with the heel height for her. As others have already mentioned, it wouldn't be a good thing protocol-wise to 'tower' over the president (think Carla Bruni in her dowdy flats meeting the Queen of England). Still, I think it's great—and much more flattering—that Michelle Obama didn't wear the nearly flat shoes she wore on the election night. Heels, even 2" heels add something to the leg and the overall look. Seeing a real woman -not a runway model- standing tall and proud and not trying to "hide" her height is an excellent message to tall girls and women everywhere watching her.
I think Mrs O looked absolutely modern and chic. That dress accentuated her curves perfectly and I love the minimal barely- any- accessories look. She looked totally appropriate for the occasion.
Talk about a picture says a 1000 words - the symbolism in the photos from the WH meeting said it all - good bye conservative, non-progresive and old.
Hello modern, progresive and young. The 21st century has really finally arrived in Washington.
A new era dawning was there for all the world to see !
I think she looks fabulous and has a slim, toned yet womnaly figure. I have noticed in many, many images how Barack always puts his arms around her waist or hips - it's pretty clear he adores her figure too!
As we have seen with Sarah Palin, gift wraping from expensive stores do not amount to brains. So Ms.O choice of value concious wardrobe reflects a better understanding of the american economics rather than a $150 000.00+ wardrobe, and show me a true comprehension of Joe the family man approach to meet the family budget
Way to go Michelle, the habit do not make the monk nor does it qualify one for the GOP VP selection.
You walk the talk and you walk tall.
Very nice!. It's going to be fun to watch the girls grow up in the white house. I hope Barack does well enough to serve two terms. http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20081107/od_nm/us_election_fashion;_ylt=AjT6U.IQtXGgwYowAOoRboWs0NUE
Very feminine! It's going to be fun to watch the girls grow up in the White House. Hopefully Barack will do well enough to serve two terms.
Laura B was always a frumpy, boring dresser, but never did it become more apparent than in this photo. The changing of the guard! Mrs O dresses to flatter her shape. Mrs B is so conservative, and has no sense of what looks good on her. Can't wait to see the next 4 years of fashion!
Does anyone know who designed the red shoes that she's wearing? I need a new pair of dark red shoes.
She's getting better each time. I'm not so sure red it her color but the white house red dress really works for her.
A big improvement over the black/red Rodriquez dress from last week.
Please no baseball caps, it is so 90's
classic and stunning!
i nearly wet myself when i saw her in this dress! absolutely fantastic!!! the color, the cut, everything about it makes it a fabulous choice. it has classic styling that shows off her figure so well while being remarkably modest. i can see why some folks wish she wore this dress on election night, but i love that she saved it for their first almost-in-office visit to the white house. it's like she showed up making the statement, "this is how the first lady should dress!" and i agree fully!
Wow! Mrs. O is a beautiful lady to start! Maria Pinto has my vote for bringing out the class in her style and personality! I'm hopin to see again Maria pull off a stunner for the inaugural event!
Louis, your comment was totally offensive and completely unacceptable.
Dear singerboy, I do apologize for that. I thought I had deleted Louis's comment. Completely unacceptable is right. It should be gone now.
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Why do you hate me?
red dress + monkey = monkey in a red dress