Mrs. O Dines in Style
Friday, January 30, 2009 at 3:00 PM Mrs. O lunched with Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty, his wife Michelle, and Jill Biden this afternoon at Georgia Brown's, a D.C. restaurant known for its traditional Southern classics. Our ever stylish First Lady was dressed in a medley of blues, including a stunning portrait collar overcoat in light blue herringbone tweed. Underneath she wore a cornflower blue dress with an asymmetrical draped neckline, paired with a blue green cardigan and royal blue patent leather belt to cinch her waist. The Huffington Post has a great slideshow of photos here. As "doreen" has observed in the comments, this look is another stand-out example of Mrs. O's masterful wardrobe remixing. We saw the same belt and cardigan as part of a more dressed down look as Mrs. O volunteered for the National Day of Service. Her shoes, we believe, are the same Jimmy Choo "Glacier" pumps she wore on Inauguration Day. Jimmy Choo pumps aside, this remains quite the mystery look. An afternoon of research did not reveal the designer. Any tips (anonymous or otherwise) would be most appreciated. UPDATE: A source reveals that this ensemble was the work of Mrs. O's hometown designer, Maria Pinto. In fact, we've confirmed that the coat is J. Crew! Further, we've now confirmed that Mrs. O wore Maria Pinto's Ella Dress, hand-made from Prussian cashmere. The dress is part of Maria Pinto's Fall 2009 collection.
J.Crew, Maria Pinto in Outfits
Reader Comments (70)
The coat looks like the same designer of the dark purple suit she wore earlier last year on the campaign trail. Same cut and everything
Ooh, Bella. You're right! I think you are talking about this suit : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_jmlFdeLmWJw/SEmdPhFLJxI/AAAAAAAAExc/NPm3W3nOrCg/s320/hp1-26-08l.jpg
I can see the resemblance. No doubt Mrs. T is on it!
Gorgeous! I was just clicking through all the pictures and love the entire look, including the accessories. Here's a good look at her shoes and bag: http://www.daylife.com/photo/02JOa0S7wZ9cM/michelle_obama
I have a note into my contact at Peter Soronen. Will keep you posted. Good eye ladies!
@doreen
Yup, that suit.
She looks super, duper lovely in that dress and coat. But the best part for me was seeing how happy and excited people are to see her! http://www.daylife.com/photo/0c96gaQa7bfer/michelle_obama
Love the color!
Look at all these people! Mrs. O caused quite a commotion... http://www.dcexaminer.com/local/Michelle-dines-with-the-Fentys-and-Jill-Biden-at-Georgia-Browns38708542.html
I really adore Mrs. O penchant for color.
Check out the sea of people around her. Everyone, including the ladies she was dining with, wore black or gray. Yet here is Mrs. O wearing all sorts of colors. Looking through all the pictures, here are the colors I counted:
--A blue dress, belt and coat
--A pair of lavender gloves peeking out of her pocket and a lavender scarf around her neck (which you can see in the pictures I posted above)
--A dark green cardigan slightly visible under her coat, and grass green shoes.
--A dark brown/maroon patent leather bag.
Just a very brave assortment of color, that manages somehow to not be garish because the shades all blend and compliment each other so well.
She looks lovely!
This dress she's wearing today is just like the blouse from yesterday, in that she's taking a classic look and going just a little bit further. Instead of wearing a standard button down white blouse (that would have put me to sleep!) she wears this amazingly modern wrap-style, v-neck blouse that updates a totally classic look.
And now we have a jewel-toned sheath, probably sleeveless, that is completely updated with the asymmetrical neckline. It's a classic look, but with a modern twist that just makes it more interesting.
This is why I love our Mrs. O!
This posed group shot gives a good look at the dress.http://www.daylife.com/photo/039j9vmbn87Y1/michelle_obama
Are those her inauguration day pumps?
Wonder who's carrying her handbag?
I don't think so Coco. Those shoes were a slightly different shade: http://www.bryanboy.com/bryanboy_le_superstar_fab/2009/01/michelle-obamas-shoes-are-by-jimmy-choo-photos-pictures.html
As Jenna said, she's a splash of colour in a sea of black. I love that aspect of her. (Although I cannot deny the beautiful bit of colour Mrs. B is also wearing) The colour is a wonderful compliment, but my only wish is that she wasn't so so monochromatic. From the inauguration, to the photos on the trail, to today, she likes to focus on one colour. I like when she mixes it up more, but I still like this ensemble too.
They certainly look like her inauguration day pumps to me...but no matter. I love the color, and if they are, then good for her for repurposing!
I love her monochromatic looks...a "rainbow" of blues...so pretty!
Dr. Biden looks lovely as well. I'd love for a post or two focusing on her style! Of course it's not like you can tell from pictures, but she looks like a really nice and down-to-earth person.
OMG, how did I totally miss this?
she looks awsome!! again, im loving the bold color!!
She's an inspiration-always so feminine and distinctive. At the same time she looks like she's enjoying herself- her best accessory is her radiant smile..
That gorgeous dress! Must. Know. Where. It's. From!!!
Blue, there's something she hasn't rocked in a while!
Totally unrelated: must be tough having a secret service guy's hand at your back all the time. Literally.
I, too, am admiring Mrs. O's blues today, and I like very much, as well, her shoes, bag, and gloves. Each day I enjoy spending time here to look at the photos, to follow the links, and to read and re-read the entries and all of the comments!
I've confirmed the ensemble isn't from Peter Soronen - though it does bear resemblance to his designs. More to follow!
gorgeous coat and I love the lavender accessories
but boy oh boy - those secret service dudes are on Mrs O like white on rice. what a job they have
I feel for the Secret Service. The Obamas are naturally vivacious people who like people. Those guys have their work cut out for them. But aren't we the American public lucky?
personally, I think they're the same teal shoes -- looking greener with the yellow outfit, and bluer with the blue...
Wow - Mrs O's star power is ascendant - in every image posted ones eye gravitates automatically to her luminous presence.
It is amazing.
The way she has layered color in this ensemble is incredibly astute and nuanced - she builds each piece onto the next until each separate article of clothing creates an overall complete and complementary whole.
This takes confidence and fashion savvy which Mrs O obviously processes in abundance.
Huffpost has posted a nice little slideshow of today's outfit: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/30/michelle-obama-and-jill-b_n_162678.html
looks like she's wearing the same cardigan & belt she wore for her service project on MLK day http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/027Ad0w7qaa0f/340x.jpg
Moja31, you have a good eye! That definitely is the same blue belt she's wearing. However, I don't think it's the same cardigan. The one she's wearing today is like a forest green. You can see in this picture the MLK cardigan was more a blue color: http://community.livejournal.com/obama_daily/177654.html#cutid1
I'll bet the Secret Service were losing their minds!
@CarolineG
WHo are you to tell her what not to wwear?
I would love to see the dress without the jacket, cardigan, etc.
The woman has that special something. People were so excited to see her. She is really embracing her role as First Lady, and quickly. Seems like the children are acclimating well. I was concerned about them, but looking at how rested and happy Mr. and Mrs. O seem these past 2 weeks - I think they're settling in just fine.
I like the coat; especially the collar.
Side note: What a coincidence that both the First Lady and the mayor's wife (D.C.'s "First Lady")share the same first name.
@Christina: I'd like to see some of Dr. Biden's wardrobe choices too. Some coworkers felt her Inauguration Day outfit was short; I thought she looked fabulous and really worked that red gown later at the balls.
Another eye-catching, beautiful ensemble by our First Lady of Style.
It may be because I am perimenopausal, but watching the video and seeing the love pour out to Mrs. Obama makes me tear up with happiness. Excuse me, I have to go get a tissue!
Seeing how Mrs. O reuses her accessories, or reinvents her outfits, is always very interesting to me. As other commenters have pointed out, we have seen her wear today's belt, shoes and, likely, the cardigan in totally different ways than how they are paired today.
Off the top of my head, other times she has re-used a distinctive accesory was:
--the quirky belt that she wore to the Kid's Inaugural Concert which she paired with a J crew cardigan and skirt, was the same belt she wore to a campaign event, over the summer, when she wore it over a green suit in a shiny fabric.
--She wore that gorgeous black coat with the flared sleeves out to a dinner date with her husband, shortly after the campaign, paired with a short dress, stockings and boots. Then she wore it again on the train tour at the beginning of the Inauguration festivities, with slacks tucked into boots.
--She has worn black tights a couple of times, both during the summer. Once to a picnic in Montana, for Malia's birthday, paired with a black and white checkered Gap sundress. And another time, early in the campaign, with a long white button down shirt and a black belt.
WOW...HOW ON EARTH DO I KNOW ALL THIS!? I am suddenly a little embarrassed! If you were to ask me what I wore last Thursday, I would NOT be able to tell you. I can barely remember what I wore to the last wedding I was invited to!
Hey guys, I was wondering if you could indulge my curiosity about something!
I wanted to take a little poll about how old each of us is. I don't think it matters in any way, and no doubt we fall all across the range. But I really enjoy the variety of comments and opinions on this blog, and, even though we're all anonymous, somehow that has led to curiosity about everyone's ages.
Anyways, I am 23.
Mrs. O looks stunning. She is shinning.
I am 22. @jenna's Poll question.
I'm 25, and I love this outfit.
Doreen, that's funny! I feel ya though. Michelle is like Princess Dianna in that seeing photos/videos of her is addictive and not really explainable to those who don't "get it."
As to the age poll: I am 50.
@ Jenna
Im 22 (will be 23 next month)
and saying that, I would TOTALLY rock MANY of Mrs. O's outfit!!!
Is that the dress she wore during her DNC speech? The cardigan and belt looks like the one she wore on Jan. 19th while volunteering. Yes...I'm a bit of a First Lady Michelle Obama style stalker, lol. I LOVE this look. The coat has a very vintage look to it.
lovely lovely lovely, and how refreshingly differnet!!
Check out this "vintage" picture of Mr and Mrs. O. It is not one I had seen before, and it looks a few years old.
Anyway, it has no relation to this post (except that Michelle is wearing blue). Just thought I would share it because I am always interested in seeing how her look has evolved over the years: http://i40.tinypic.com/1z526vs.jpg
Oh, and I am 31!
@ Jenna. I'm 35.
Kim, this is not the dress she wore at the DNC speech. This one has that very distinctive asymmetrical neckline. And the DNC dress was longer, in a more greenish shade of blue.
What they have in common is that they are both great dresses!
Wowie, Elena, that is a STUNNING photo! I've seen President Obama 3 times and Mrs. O once and they are both incredibly magnetic in person. Mrs. O is 5'11" and just very radiant, gorgeous and grounded. Her intelligence and warmth just emanate from her. And of course the same can be said for President Obama. I love that their style is so natural.
OMG ELENA!!! I LOVE THAT PICTURE!!
okay, this is really too cute how in love the Obamas are...I CAN'T TAKE 8 YEARS OF THE CUTENESS...I'll never find a guy that measures up if I keep seeing how in love the Obamas are!!! LOL
meta--I know! They are both ridiculously gorgeous. I am jealous that you have gotten to meet them! I have never had the pleasure but really hope that I will someday since I just greatly admire them both.
Thanks Doreen. They are both fab dresses.
She always looks lovely, and they seem like such a nice, down to earth couple.
Did previous first ladies have lunch with friends so openly?
Jenna, to answer your poll question I am 42. YAY