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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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Wednesday
Jan212009

Showing a Little Feith

Bowing Their Heads

Photo by Donavan Marks / National Cathedral via Flickr user speakingoffaith

On her first full day as the new First Lady, Mrs. O - along with her husband and the Bidens - attended a multi-denominational service at Washington National Cathedral. She wore a dress by Tracy Feith. The dress has a rounded neck, fitted bodice and waist, and a full skirt-a very modern twist on a 1950s silhouette. It also features one of Feith's trademark bold prints. More photos from the service can be seen here and here.

Tracy Feith's clothes often recall his hippie-luxe-surfer background. Known as a maverick who brings an edgy quality to his designs, Feith is currently working on a lower-priced collection for Target. This collection is expected to debut in early May 2009. After the service at the Cathedral, Mrs. O will be hosting an open house at her new home. So we will be watching to see if she will be wearing this Feith dress then. Update: And indeed, she did. 

Reader Comments (172)

Zoinks!! I was so sure it was vintage. Yes, it was vey 50's inspired and so lovely. You can see it has some rouching at the the waist, some pleating around the neckline, and the skirt is pleated as well. This is the best picture I have found. http://www.daylife.com/photo/09eD6Cidf73Wv/michelle_obama

Gorgeous!

http://www.daylife.com/photo/09eD6Cidf73Wv/michelle_obama

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 2:36 PM | Unregistered CommenterDoreen

I LOVE the Tracy Feith dress.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 2:56 PM | Unregistered CommenterPrimeTimeMom

I liked it too actually, despite what others are saying...

I like the silhouette

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:00 PM | Unregistered CommenterLayo G

I wish someone would put out a better picture! I like the retro style--not sure about the print, but can't really tell on the small photos

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:02 PM | Unregistered CommenterAlisa

My comment was eaten by the Spam folder! Trying again with less links:

Zoinks!! I was so sure it was vintage. Yes, it was vey 50’s inspired and so lovely. You can see it has some rouching at the the waist, some pleating around the neckline, and the skirt is pleated as well. This is the best picture I have found. http://www.daylife.com/photo/09eD6Cidf73Wv/michelle_obama

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:03 PM | Unregistered CommenterDoreen

Here is the full-length shot. She looks gorgeous. http://www.daylife.com/photo/03Bw1f5gNi3I2/michelle_obama

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:06 PM | Unregistered CommenterDoreen

I think the dress is beautiful, it has a vintage quality about it with a fresh edge. She is a lady.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:12 PM | Unregistered CommenterNina

what a role model she is for women of almost all ages -- it is striking to me how she can look young and fresh without looking foolish. These two really show that having brains affects everything they do.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:19 PM | Unregistered Commenterjforgizmo

Thank you for the links Doreen. The fabric is so beautiful.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:29 PM | Unregistered CommenterPrimeTimeMom

Lovely print, great look for the First Lady!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:34 PM | Unregistered CommenterAmla

thanks for the links to photos! Love the fabric!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:40 PM | Unregistered CommenterAlisa

Not only are we getting a paradigm shift in politics but in fashion. I never would have considered this style but am taking a second look. Doesn't mean I'll go with it but what the First Lady is doing is helping me explore and expand my fashion repetoire. Thanks, Mrs. O!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:44 PM | Unregistered CommenterMarcelisa

I love the dress...but for the love of all things holy...Michelle wear heels...somehow you've got to intergrate that into your look...everyone knows you're taller than Barack....please stop with the flats...they steal your shine...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:44 PM | Unregistered CommenterMojo

A comment from a process perspective. Living from outfit to outfit over four years could be tedious. It is, in the end, the body of work that establishes a first lady. Now that the long run has begun, it seems important to consider Mrs O as the complete First Lady she will become. I would like to see fashion and substance evolve together on one blog. Not sure how to suggest this happen, but not to do so would be out of synch with the Obama's personal agenda. Fashion, role as wife,mother, and First Lady, social and political events - all are excellent topics to help one understand the experience of our " Mrs. O!"

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:57 PM | Unregistered Commenterrickydee

I posted this at the end of the other thread:

All I know is the woman can dress however she wants.
If she is happy with the clothes she is wearing, if they make her feel joyful and confidante then that really is all that matters.
Her style is real and approachable and quirky and her own.

and once again I have loved everything she has worn for the last few days…including the dress she wore this morning to church. That neckline looks so good on her and I am happy to see the end of the “power suit” as the only choice for a 1st lady.

Of course I sell vintage clothes, so anything with a hint of the past makes me happy.

Personally I'm glad to see the flats and kitten heels, glad to see she is wearing what makes her happy.
I have no idea how the rest of you all can stand high heel shoes....ever.
I even wore flats for my wedding and I'm really short.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 3:59 PM | Unregistered CommenterJules

I love the Feith dress on Michelle today..It looks stunning and she carries it well. I am looking forward to tuning in this blog to check out her looks and to see which designers she wears... She will know doubt set a few trends! Just like Jackie O did!! I love having a Mrs. "O"!!!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:07 PM | Unregistered CommenterIvy Lane

Horrible, horrible. Her inaug outfit screamed "attention ho". She is not the President, he is but she wanted the focus. Moreover, it looked like upholstery fabric. And, her figure is nothing to highlight. Her evening dress looked like it came from a different department of the furniture store. Plus, she was so focused on herself that she didn't help her husband avoid his evening fashion faux pas--wearing a white tie with a standard tux. These are the fashion equivalents of people who try to use sophisticated vocabulary but fail because they don't really know what the words mean.

Remember that 59 million people (the wisest and most productive elements of our country, for the most part) did not vote for Obama. When will the media start to hear our voices???

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:10 PM | Unregistered CommenterGeorge

George, this is not "the media". It's a BLOG dedicated to Michelle Obama's style. Take your grivances over to Fox News or a political site. Maybe you can share with them your methodology for coming to the conclusion that
your 59 million people are somehow wiser and more productive than the 70 million that voted for Michelle's husband.

Anyway, getting back to Michelle's amazing figure, this Feith dress reminds me SO much, in terms of the print, of this other dress that Michelle has worn a couple of times that I always wondered who designed it. Does anyone know if it was also Feith?

http://i.usatoday.net/news/_photos/2008/08/23/obama-l-custom.jpg

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:22 PM | Unregistered CommenterJenna

George, they media will hear your voices when you post your comments on a site where they are appreciated.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:29 PM | Unregistered CommenterCaridad
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:30 PM | Unregistered CommenterChicagoan

ooh! A friend just e-mailed this picture!
http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2009/callie_obama_inauguration/callie_inaug_02.jpg

It's from when Barack and Michelle were having lunch with the Bushes. Michelle is not wearing the coat so you can see the full Toledo. Now I like it even more. The cardigan is so soft and feminine.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:41 PM | Unregistered CommenterDoreen

Loved that dress,so feminine. note to mojo, michelle spent the whole day yesterday and evening in heals. give her a break!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:47 PM | Unregistered Commenteredwina

Mrs. C: I'm still smiling over the clever title of your article. Don't know that the word "maverick" will ever be the same, though, after our recent political season. Nice story. Thanks.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:54 PM | Unregistered CommenterGranby

"Remember that 59 million people (the wisest and most productive elements of our country, for the most part) did not vote for Obama. When will the media start to hear our voices???"

What voice? The fact that you and other FOX watchers don't like what the First Lady (don't you just hate to read that? First Lady Michelle Obama.) wears? That you seem to think that the average and normal figure of Michelle is un-attractive?
We can't all be Beyonce ya know.

Enjoy the next 4 (or 8 years) little hater troll.

(and just for the record I always liked Laura Bush. I thought she also dressed in a way that made her happy in a position I never thought she was ever really happy to be in...kinda like Bess Truman. She dressed like my mom, nothing wrong with that, and choose classic looks that were well made and looked nice on her. It was her husband and his policies that were vile, not her. I suggest that you and those like you (that 22% that thinks Bush was an awesome President) remember that Michelle is not her husband and stop with the ugly comments about the First Lady.)

See ya later troll.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 4:55 PM | Unregistered CommenterJules

Check out this nice little article on Mrs. O! It's short but it gives her well-deserved kudos for choosing unknown designers. It also has a great picture of the Feith dress.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/news/bal-lifestyle-firstlady0121,0,6069945.story

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:03 PM | Unregistered CommenterElena

I am impressed that folks are so keen on the impact of style and fashion in the real world. Like the real world, in the spirit of the Obama tone, a call for tolerance and putting away childishness may be appropriate here...

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:04 PM | Unregistered Commenterrickydee

Oh, please!! I haven't talked to one person who liked Michelle's inauguration dress. It looked like something that should have been worn at night...and it was too over the top. That tacky vintage pin at the neck and the bow on the bodice should never been work with that type fabric. Looked cheap to me. Plus, she is not Jackie Kennedy! Her style is nothing like Jackie, who was extremely classic in her taste in clothes. Michelle looks tacky in just about everything she wears. And, please, Michelle, learn to walk like a lady. You clunk around like a man..and stop slumping. As you can tell, I think she has terrible taste in clothes. She looks like an amazon!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:05 PM | Unregistered Commentermegan

I have seen Michelle Obama in person and she actually has a perfect figure. She's not hippy like some have been saying. She's built like top models used to be - think Cindy Crawford. Long legs, tiny waist, perky bust, firm arms.

Frankly, she could wear a bag with a belt and look fabulous. I am trying to keep myself from running over to our local JCrew store I love their clothes on her so much.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:06 PM | Unregistered CommenterPrimeTimeMom

Doreen, thank you for the link; yes, I too like the full Toledo even more, having seen this photo.

Re: the Tracy Feith dress, that is a real beauty.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:06 PM | Unregistered CommenterDeb

Well, I'm just glad there is a first lady who is--
A: Under 50!
B: Doesn't dress like a shapeless frumpy grandma
C: She's TALL--HELLO--movements might not be all that graceful, but at least with confidence
D: About time someone wore some other colors besides BLUE and RED--UGH!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:20 PM | Unregistered CommenterAlisa

Megan, thank you so much for all those thoughtful comments! And you really make such a convincing argument. I had always thought the first lady was so beautiful and had great style. But now I see the error of my ways. No doubt there's millions of other people under the same mistaken impression. So thank you for your public service.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:22 PM | Unregistered CommenterElena

Yay! Another picture! Yes, that dress is L-O-V-E. And how sweet that the Obamas are meeting their neighbors. I am so jealous.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:25 PM | Unregistered CommenterJenna

1st: i'm not American. I live in Europe. but i follow this blog with great interest. i've started because of fashion. but what is so amazing about michelle is that what she wears and how she wears it shows who she is. and i'm really happy to see that u have that young, sparkling couple, full of energy in white house. c'mon especially after Bush. who cares for a "perfectly polished" look of Cindy Mc Cain. it would be that boring...classy and proper maybe but cold. michelle is a vulcan of energy. also her clothes, her wardrobe show that. and c'mon Kennedy style was good and fresh, but some time ago. (although i love almost everything she wore). now we need something else.we are diffrent that the women in Kennedy time were.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:25 PM | Unregistered CommenterPatrycja

The dress is wonderful. I think that her height is grand and wearing heels is not the answer. But, she was in heels last night, all night and I am sure those feet are tired.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:28 PM | Unregistered CommenterLisa

What is the deal with the haters?
You can comment on the fashions worn without making personal comments about Mrs. O's looks or the way she walks.
Has this blog been link too from FOX news by any chance?

and troll Megan, that pin was anything but cheap.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:29 PM | Unregistered CommenterJules

Wow. This dress is a stunner. She looks great. And to the haters (not people who legitimately dislike the dress): honestly. You're on a fashion blog anonymously posting hateful comments. How small and angry *are* you? It'd be funny if you weren't so darn sad.

Blessings and fashion wisdom to you,
Balt-O-Matt

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:29 PM | Unregistered CommenterBalt-O-Matt

This pretty frock reminds me of a dress (or two) I had specially made for me in the late fifties. I'm obviously pretty well vintage myself. I was wondering what the fabrication is and also what our first lady wore over the dress to attend the ceremony. It's still chilly in DC. TIA

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:38 PM | Unregistered CommenterToo Troo

Oh George - you made a 'faux-pas' by posting on this blog.
We are not left / right here, we are Mrs O admirers and fashion lovers.
This site is free of politics - get it?
Your divisive mind set is so 2007.
As President O stated yesterday, 'the world has changed and we must change w/ it'.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:41 PM | Unregistered CommenterRJT

Some more nice press for Feith and the First Lady:

"Though yesterday’s Isabel Toledo coat and dress and Jason Wu gown provoked serious debate, this one, in our estimation, is an indisputable success with its classic, Jackie-esque silhouette of boat neck, full skirt, and elbow-length sleeves."

http://www.style.com/stylefile/2009/01/michelle-watch-keeping-the-faith-in-feith/

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:41 PM | Unregistered CommenterElena

im not a big fan but i still like it a little.
greattt website!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:42 PM | Unregistered CommenterMelissa

Who ever is in charge of this blog can you not post the negative comments that some people are saying about michelle clearly they dont go this blog everyday like some of us do. They just want to be rude to our first lady. I have no problem with people having different opinoins with michelle outfits, but when you start to talk about her thats where I have problem.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:43 PM | Unregistered Commenterjojo

High heels would not look right with this dress. Kitten heels perhaps, but definitely not high heels.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:45 PM | Unregistered CommenterMarina

Loved this dress on her. Nice to see that you don't always have to wear a suit. Although, she does have some great suits. Michelle has worn so many pretty dresses that it would almost be a big deal if she wore a suit. She's made the ordinary extraordinary.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:48 PM | Unregistered CommenterTS

Hi jojo, You raise a good point. We're keeping an eye on the comments. Though we almost always love Mrs. O's fashion, we do allow criticism that doesn't go too far. Personal and/or political attacks are not welcome and deleted when need be. If you see a comment that's offensive, please shoot us a note: contact@mrs-o.org and we'll take care of it. Thanks!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:49 PM | Unregistered CommenterMrs. T

WIGiant Wisteria symbolizes women’s sovereignty, identity and freedom. A strong faithful heart..
fatfrumpyandfifty.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:50 PM | Unregistered CommenterSazfab

CarolineG, while I don't agree with your comments since I really liked yesterday's two dresses very much, and LOVE this dress she is wearing today, there are definitely times when I don't like what Michelle wears. The Election Night Narciso is the classic "What was she Thinking?" moment that I'm sure we all have. But there have been a few others.

However...I am greatful that Michelle is so inventive. She really is. Could she wear a tailored suit every day, or a crow-pleasing jewel-toned shift? Of course she can, and she knows that. And she often DOES wear these looks, and you can tell she's fond of them.

But how about a totally fierce, pleated dress with an abstract floral pattern, for a change? I mean how DELIGHTFUL is that? Don't you just love this woman? Cause I do. If you were that tall and gorgeous would you really never take a risk, never have any fun or wear something unexpected?

I love this dress, but even if I didn't love it, I would love that she wears it. She is well aware of the alternative. She could snap her fingers and have Oscar de la Renta (gag!) ship her 20 outfits that could arrive overnight. But she doesn't and I pray to God she won't.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:52 PM | Unregistered CommenterElena

Oops. CROWD-pleasing. Not crow-pleasing.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 5:54 PM | Unregistered CommenterElena

@ RJT...I love it! you're so funny in your comment to George "your divisive mind is so 2007"

and boy do I agree....people, get with the program, this is a site focused on Mrs. O's fashion, if you want politics, it really is not that hard to just click the x bottom on your top right hand corner, and go to cnn, or fox news or something, people lighten up!!

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 6:16 PM | Unregistered CommenterLayo G

Michelle looks great. I like that she keeps it interesting and unexpected.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 6:18 PM | Unregistered CommenterLISA

Okay, so I wouldn't wear the Feith dress because I don't wear large florals. BUT having said that, it's beautifully made and it looks nice on her. The neckline is lovely and the skirt is pretty. The dress is ladylike and comfortable looking. Seems to be that's the least Mrs. O deserves after a day like she had yesterday. Sheesh. Were I her, I would be wearing slippers and pajamas all day today and probably tomorrow too.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at 6:36 PM | Unregistered CommenterLiz

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