Aloha Mrs. O
Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 9:38 AM 
Photo used with kind permission from Flickr user mazieforcongress
On a frigid Sunday morning in December, thoughts of a tropical getaway make for a warm and welcome winter escape. Thus, we happily visit a photograph taken last August as the future first couple returned to Mr. O's childhood home state of Hawaii for a short vacation. Attending a campaign fundraiser in Honolulu (it wasn't all vacay it seems), we're told Mrs. O was very appropriately dressed in "aloha attire".
As one would imagine, the style on Oahu and all of Hawaii is decidedly island casual. But while casual, yes, Mrs. O delivered with a dose of her usual effortless chic. We've come not to expect anything less. Wearing a printed sundress from Narciso Rodriguez's Resort 2008 collection, with her hair pulled back from her face and just the right touches of diamond sparkle, Mrs. O looked fresh-faced and youthful. The gray on white print, perhaps ginkgo leaf-inspired, was distinctive without being loud or overwhelming.
And as our friend Cara, a resident of Oahu, so perfectly assessed, "Mrs. O wore her 'aloha style' with confidence and grace." We'll second that. After the election night polarizer, there's nary been a Mrs. O style conversation that didn't mention Narciso Rodriguez's name. Seen in clothes from Rodriguez's Spring 2009, Resort 2008 and Fall 2007 collections (and those are just the ones we've identified), we do love Mrs. O's consistency and loyalty to her favorite designers - a title which Narciso Rodriguez has certainly earned. Here's looking forward to more Mrs. O and Rodriguez pairings, "Aloha style", White House or otherwise.
Date: August 12, 2008
Event: President-elect Barack Obama with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Leighton Oshima and Mrs. O, Obama campaign fundraiser, Honolulu, Hawaii
Narciso Rodriguez in Outfits
Reader Comments (10)
I am so pleased that one of Mrs O's fave designers is Narciso Rodriguez, as I have admired his designs for years, and think is aesthetic is modern and intellectual with a distinct American sensibility.
The dress Mrs. O is wearing in the above photo is great - and per usual her take on a look - in this case 'aloha style' - is not obvious. It is sophisticated casual - and notice how Mr O's clothing compliments his wife's. I wonder if she helped pick out his outfit ?
I love the way you ladies interpret Mrs. O's style! This is a great picture, and RJT, you may be on to something regarding Mr. O's gray shirt and brown slacks. They do match - something I noticed they do every now and then. So I wouldn't be surprised if she had a say in his outfit that evening.
Actually... I think the print is lovely, but the fit of the dress doesn't flatter her that well, at least not in this shot. It's too billowy at the waist/hips, making it more muumuu-like than I think was intended. If someone tailored that, I could love it on her!
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net
I think I have to agree with Kristan on this one, along with the election night dress, this is not one of my favorite looks on Mrs O (although I love it when she pulls her hair back like this, there is something classic about it)
but considering she's 2 for like a thousand, she's in good shape...lol (okay I admit, I find it hard to fault Mrs O.)
Her J crew Jay Leno look, and the purple Maria Pinto sheath are my all time fav Mrs O. looks on her!
I think she should totally hit Target for any up-coming low profile events, they have that series they run where many big time designers run totally accessible/affordable lines there, but are still totally fab! I got this awsome Proenza Shouler jacket there for like $35, it was awsome!
schouler*
I agree with Kristan, the second thing I noticed was the poor fit, although I love the dress otherwise. The third thing I noticed was that Mr. and Mrs. O's ensembles were complimentary. But being a kama'aina, the FIRST thing I noticed was that Mr. and Mrs. O did not have beautiful flower lei like their hosts did! Auwe!
No comment on Mr. O's pleated pants? He's much too skinny for that sort of thing.
I actually like this on him (@also)
WWD actually got some designers to make sketches for the future president too like they did for Mrs O.
http://www.wwd.com/menswear-news/inauguration-day-what-should-he-wear-1893068?module=today?src=bblast/121508
(although all eyes will probably be on the fabulous Mrs O.)
I'm sorry but this Narciso resort wear is NOT aloha wear or "aloha style." I have lived in Hawaii all my life and know aloha wear well...everything from class, elegant aloha wear to gaudy, tourist looking aloha wear. This dress doesn't fit in anywhere on the spectrum. There are Hawaiian and aloha wear designers that would serve Mrs. O well if she would give them a chance when she is in town. In fact rumor has it they should be visiting in a few weeks. Maybe she should try some Manuhealii.
I like the print, but I agree that it could have been fitted better.