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Mrs-O.com is a blog dedicated to chronicling the fashion and style of First Lady Michelle Obama. Founded September 2008. 

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Monday
Dec222008

Bundled Up Beautifully

Michelle Obama-at Blackbird

Image used with kind permission from Seth Anderson, B12 Solipsism

On December 5, the temperature in Chicago topped out at 18 degrees. So it is no wonder that this glimpse of Mrs. O that day revealed her sporting a casual but winter-ready look. The occasion was a lunch with two friends and she didn’t have far to go as she left the restaurant Blackbird in the West Loop (located around the corner from Maria Pinto’s boutique) and walked to the car driven by the Secret Service.

Yet she showed her Chicago roots as well as her fashion sense in her choices for such bone-chilling weather: an off-white puffer coat and grey yoga pants tucked into blue snow boots. The elegant Mrs. O is fabulous, but this BFF look warms our hearts. Puffer coats are notoriously difficult to wear and it is a rare one indeed that doesn’t make its wearer resemble a Michelin tire figure. But we think Mrs. O looks "casual Friday"- great here. In part, her height helps carry such a coat, even this one with horizontal banding.

But as usual with her, the details are engaging: the built-in waist with a silver buckle provides some figure definition and the distinctive patch pockets add a little flair to the utilitarian coat. We think this puffer, with that nipped waist, resembles some by Moncler or Prada. And the large black tote with the partial chain shoulder strap and turn lock outer compartments is both practical and stylish, calling up memories of handbag designs by Marc Jacobs and Jimmy Choo. But knowing Mrs. O’s penchant for fashion democracy, we would not be surprised if these choices had lower price points. This DKNY coat offers a similar look.

What do you think? Please let us know if you have the answers about the coat or the tote. This got us pondering other winter choices Mrs. O has made. It is hard to be both beautiful and bundled up, but Mrs. O achieved that balancing act when her husband declared his candidacy for President of the United States. Kathleen and Michelle

Photo used with kind permission from Kathleen Miller

It was February 10, 2007, and in spite of frigid temperatures, the launch of the Obama campaign started outdoors, in front of the old State Capital building in Springfield, Illinois. Mrs. O braved the cold weather for her husband’s historic speech by keeping herself warm in a black coat made of a blended alpaca and cashmere material. The coat was by home-town favorite designer Maria Pinto. Light in weight yet incredibly cozy, the wrap coat had a large portrait collar and a self belt, which Mrs. O tied into a Windsor-style knot. Wrapped around her neck was a purple scarf secured at the collarbone by a large crystal brooch—an early glimpse of what would become one of her trademarks. Bracelet-length gloves and a small-brimmed hat in black finished this Mrs. O winter wrap-up.

During a December 2007 visit to Maria Pinto’s studio, we learned that Pinto had made this coat for Mrs. O especially for this occasion. While discussing the details of this coat with Mrs. O, Pinto had asked what coats the two Obama daughters would be wearing to the outdoors presidential campaign announcement. “Michelle said she hadn’t even had time to shop for them yet,” said Pinto, “so I offered to whip up some coats for them, too.” With all the female members of the Obama family facing down the below-zero wind chill in coats designed by Pinto, it was a stylish beginning to the official campaign. Winters in Iowa are even less temperate than those in neighboring Illinois, but once again Mrs. O combined practicality and fashion for campaigning in the first caucus state.

In this photo from the opening of an Iowa campaign office, also in November 2007, we see Mrs. O wearing a black double-breasted coat with square buttons placed at an intriguingly diagonal angle. The large buttons are reminiscent of Mrs. O’s favorite accessory, the brooch, and the raffish banded collar echoes the twist of the buttons.

Michelle at West Des Moines, IA Office Opening 11/29/07

Photo via Flickr user Barack Obama / Creative Commons

The simple elegance of this coat, a boxy style with three quarter length sleeves, calls to mind images of Jacqueline Kennedy during her White House years. Yet, at the same time, the kimono sleeves and a hint of an overall cocoon shape make us think of the 1982 “mode japonaise” runway shows in Paris that took the fashion world by storm with works by designers like Yohji Yamamoto and Comme des Garcons. We also appreciate the punch of cobalt blue peeking out from under the coat. It not only brightens a cold day, but gives the outfit an added depth. In all three looks, there is one consistent note in her winter styles: she wears them with confidence. Now that Mrs. O has her ways of braving the elements down pat, she faces a new fashion challenge: Dealing with the far more temperate climate of Washington DC.

Reader Comments (20)

Hi friends, just a small correction: Michelle and friends ate at Avec in Chicago, which is next door to Blackbird. I have family who work for the biz, so I heard from them!

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 3:26 PM | Unregistered Commentermnfoodie

Thank you, Mrs. C, for your story on Michelle's outwear, a necessity that some of us in colder climes tend to neglect, in terms of style. You gave us three inspiring examples of how bundling up can look far more than just utilitarian. Your "puffer" coat comments made me smile: I've stood, looking around, on the Chicago "El" platform in winter with similar thoughts. As you note, Mrs. O's height helps pull off such a polished look in a "puffer." Thanks again.

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 3:42 PM | Unregistered CommenterMonica

How she manages to look great in a puffy coat is beyond me... mine always seems to add at least 90 extra pounds! I think she looks best in the first picture, very natural and down to earth.

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 5:12 PM | Unregistered CommenterKate

Actually, the photo I took was of Ms. Obama eating at Blackbird. She ate at Avec on a different, subsequent day. The restaurants are adjoining, and owned by the same people, but have different menus.

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 7:34 PM | Unregistered CommenterSeth Anderson

i LOVE LOVE LOVE the last 3/4 sleeve jacket!! hotness!!

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 7:38 PM | Unregistered CommenterLayo G

On the whole, DC _is_ more temperate than Chicago. But if you'd been here today, you'd rethink that statement! Brr!

I love your blog...it makes me look forward to the fashion ripple effect of Mrs. O's arrival. Thanks!

Monday, December 22, 2008 at 11:58 PM | Unregistered CommenterMelanie

One thing is certain she is NOT Jackie Kennedy. Not even
close.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 2:14 AM | Unregistered CommenterFrances

To the opposite extreme: how about a little research on the black one piece bathing suit Michelle was wearing on the beach in Hawaii?

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 10:31 AM | Unregistered CommenterBreeze

@ Frances, she is a fabulous fashion icon, just a Jackie O was, get over your silliness

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 11:47 AM | Unregistered CommenterLayo G

Thank you, Layo G! Mrs. O IS a fabulous icon, period! People love her for the very reason that she chooses both couture and sensible pieces and wears them both with ease.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 1:14 PM | Unregistered CommenterCass

Only Mrs. O could look so classy during the harsh Chicago winter, and not have to wear fur to do it!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 1:27 PM | Unregistered CommenterCourtney

Lady O thank you for showing us, this race, African-American as the Queen we are. Mrs T when are you posting on Lady O Hawain vacation piece, from afar I can tell this thing is a beauty.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 2:44 PM | Unregistered CommenterMarilyne

And even more beautiful on the inside, Michelle has released her holiday email, asking that we all remember those less fortunate.
http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=127

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 3:29 PM | Unregistered CommenterSandy

I think she looks like an Everywoman in the first shot, in a good way. No ridiculous (faux) fur coats or conspicuous winter weather wear. I'm not crazy about the hat in the second photo, but the buttons on the coat in the third photo are very cool. A nice way to specialize a standard item.

Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 3:44 PM | Unregistered CommenterKristan

@ Kristan, Im not crazy about the hat either, I have to agree with you.

Still in love with the 3rd jacket!!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 4:29 PM | Unregistered CommenterLayo G

I'm a big fan of hats, and ended up studying the one that Mrs. O was wearing for quite some time....

Having tried and failed miserably to wear a puffer jacket/coat myself without looking utterly ridiculous, I also looked hard at the first photo to see exactly how the lady managed to wear hers so very well. Yes, a little height most definitely helps!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 6:32 PM | Unregistered CommenterDeb

Mrs. O has got to be the only female I have ever seen in my life who can actually pull off a puffer coat and look good in it, lol!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you all! Less than a month till Inauguration!!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 12:55 PM | Unregistered CommenterAnusha

She looks so youthful for her 44 years and so very graceful. Go Michelle!

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 2:19 PM | Unregistered CommenterMs_M

All 3 coats have an interesting collar, funnel style and large shawl collar, these details give alot of style to something as utilitarian as a coat in the winter. After all those bright, fun, printed coats of spring don't need to be warm, just cute. Mrs. O makes these hard working coats look great.

Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 3:14 AM | Unregistered CommenterYvette

Yes Frances, she is no Jackie Kennedy, and thank goodness for that!

Mrs.O looks great in her puffer coat. I don't know how she manages to look so sexy in everything she wears.

Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 9:55 PM | Unregistered CommenterTerri

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