Charming, Chic, Classic Mrs. O
Friday, February 20, 2009 at 2:09 PM 
Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images
First Lady Mrs. O spoke at the Department of Transportation this afternoon, and we have an early report thanks to meta:
"The First Lady just appeared before the Department of Transportation and she looked really beautiful. Her remarks were very warm and gracious. She’s wearing what looks like a large pattern houndstooth short bolero jacket with a large gorgeous pin over a black turtleneck dress - crisp and chic. Her hair is swept up in a low twist. She looks terrific."
By the description, it sounds like Mrs. O's bolero might be this jacket from Peter Soronen. Update: Wow o wow, we are loving everything about this look - the Peter Soronen jacket, the soft updo, the pearl metallic bead cluster brooch (also worn the Kennedy Center). The more we study this ensemble, the more we adore it. Mrs. O's jacket and pin bring an unexpected mix of pattern, texture and proportion, while her black turtleneck and trousers serve as the perfect, pared down backdrop. Mrs. O's updo gives the overall look an easy, feminine sophistication. As a side note, we believe the last time we saw Mrs. O with her hair swept up was on the second night of the DNC in August, when she was also wearing Peter Soronen - one of our all-time favorite Mrs. O looks. The White House has released First Lady Mrs. O's remarks from her visit today, a few of which are included below:
"As you have heard, I have taken on what I think is the fun task of coming to every department in Washington -- because I want to meet my new neighbors -- learn more about the community, get to know our co-workers, every one who's going to be standing side by side with us over this wonderful journey that we're on."
"But it's important as a reminder to let people know that the nation's business is carried out by all of you, dedicated public servants like the folks standing behind me, all of you here, who have devoted their careers, who have been doing this work for decades. So my job is simple: I'm here to say thank you. Thank you."
Peter Soronen in Outfits
Reader Comments (89)
Outfit sounds fierce! And her hair must be different! I can't wait to see this look. She's been killin' it lately! Go First Lady!
Yes, Mrs. T! I think that may be it. It's certainly the same houndstooth. I couldn't quite tell what color it is.
Good work, eagle eye!
Here's the first image I've seen:
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama#photoViewer=/090220/480/7310a3dc408744eb902211352e529a28
She looks young and fresh and HAPPY.
some early photos: http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/04VP9wza850RM/610x.jpg
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/000m0chfiaeZR/610x.jpg
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/06oe2lh3a1ela/610x.jpg
it does indeed look like the same jacket.
I just love the fact that she's wearing things over and over! It sets a great example for all of us and it shows that good stuff keeps looking good and is versatile too.
It is that jacket, Mrs. T. And the brooch looks like the pearl one we so liked on her Kennedy Center dress.
Sorry; I forgot the link. She's got her hair up today, too!
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//090220/ids_photos_ts/r1599750633.jpg/
Mrs O. has a pair of pants. It's crisp!
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0biw0Kz9psfb8/Michelle_Obama
Nice look, SUPER classy. I like!
I feel weird patting Mrs. O on the back for "recycling," though. Isn't that what all of us do? I sure hope so! I don't call it recycling, I just call it..."dressing." None of us have enough money to wear an ensemble just once, I don't think.
What I *do* like is just her eye for imaginative combinations. (And boy, I'm becoming a brooch fan!) But just the fact that she wears certain pieces more than once shouldn't be too noteworthy.
After studying a close-up of that pin (yeah, I'm that much of a jewelry freak!), I actually think it's made up of silver beads... all sewn onto a rosette. What do you gals think?
http://www.daylife.com/photo/08W26Vh5Qt32Y/Michelle_Obama
Love the hairdo!
I just wanted to make a comment about Michelle's 'recycling' of her clothes. I am NOT at all surprised that she reuses clothes and items in her closet. The First Lady does NOT get a WH clothes allowance. The First FAMILY pays for their own clothes, dry cleaning, and even all of their own food at the White House except for the food that is served at State Dinners.
Michelle Obama is out in the public eye 'almost' everyday unlike most other First Ladies - doesn't have the 'old money' behind her like Jackie O did or the 'OIL money' that Laura Bush had - Michelle has two children's college fund to worry about, etc. and now that Michelle is not getting paid the Obama family is living on one income - so of course Michelle is going to be frugal when purchasing clothing for herself and the girls and will reuse her clothes just like the rest of us in America does.
Having been in the upmarket fashion business for some years, I look at the whole look plus how comfortable she looks. When she looks good, she knows it and she shows it. This is a great example. The hair is a nice change. And I'd like to see her let it go natural at some point. Stop ironing it and see what happens. She could handle the drama as a nice counterpoint to smartly tailored clothes.
Well said Leah.
Love her updo, the brooch, and the most important thing, her smile....
Is it my imagination . . . have the rest of you noticed . . . that at times Malia looks unhappy, verging on sullen, lately? I mean no disrespect at all. It's just that twice now - when they were boarding AF1 to head to Chicago and at the concert at the WH, she did not look her usual sunny self. On the way to AF1 she seemed to hang back until BO noticed her and put his arm around her. I have not seen a single photo of her smiling at the WH concert. Quite the opposite in fact. I know that no one is obliged to plaster a grin on their face 24/7, especially a child, but I am concerned, is all. Perhaps she's missing her friends in Chicago?? Moving to Washington and leaving most of what she loved behind could not have been easy, especially at this age. Your thoughts?
BeeGee, I respectfully disagree with you about Michelle wearing a natural look sometimes. As an AA woman I can almost guarantee you that that will never happen. Not in this lifetime. Who know she may not have a relaxer but she will not go all natural, it would be interpreted as too radical.
I liked this ensemble also. Like someone else here, I would like to see Michelle let her hair be natural. It would be such a good example. Go with what you have---I think people usually look best that way. She would be stunning.
Mizglammie, I don't think you should be worried about Malia (or Sasha). Is there anything cooler, for a 10 year-old, than living in the White House?? That place is a like a kid's dream. I do think most kids might be a little reserved when there are tons of cameras around, so that may be what you are noticing. .. Anyway, they are such grounded kids. I am sure they will be fine.
About the outfit--I like it a lot but I wish that meta was right about it being a turtleneck dress! I had imagined a really great one in my head so the pants were a bit of a letdown. I think a dress would have been an improvement here, because that beautiful bolero really should be the focus and a dress would have been made the look more streamlined. The pants are a tad more boxy.
I really, really love the hair. It is so rare for her to pull her hair back like this and I wonder why since it looks so chic. And the pink lipstick is back again, although it looks more like lipgloss and a slightly brighter shade. It's a very youthful color on her.
I like the overall look a lot.
Mrs. O looks nice, classy, and just lovely.
I had noticed Malia's "looks" recently, but hadn't seen them as unhappy or sullen. I do think it's been a huge change for her -- she's right at that age where kids just want to hang out with their friends and not have a lot of attention thrown at them. And it appears she's also a very quiet, private child, where Sasha seems more bubbly and outgoing. While Sasha probably loves the attention, Malia may prefer to not be in the limelight all the time.
I know *I* wouldn't like cameras snapping at me all day, people screaming whenever my family walked into sight, and Secret Service people following me everywhere, and I'm a far cry from a young, teenage girl! I feel for her, but I also think Michelle will do *everything* possible to put it all in perspective and help her find her own little way of dealing with it.
Leah Marco:
I agree with you assessment. Although, President Obama is still receiving residuals from his two books (which are still on the NY Times best selling list).
I don't blame her one bit for not spending an exhorbiant amount on clothes as she is in the public eye contstantly.
I recyle my clothes too (I even use to mark on my calendar what I wore so as not to repeat in some months) smile.
Quita: Mrs. Obama may not have a relaxer and just blow and curl. I also agree with your assessment about her going "natural".
Everyone have a great weekend.
Mrs O looks fantastic.
The little dark hounds tooth jacket, the over sized brooch which once again, looks terrific against a dark, gray infused background, and the long lean trousers.
The up swept hair just adds to her look of pulled together daytime glamor.
A knock out ensemble.
I am just curious, who amongst us would go "natural" with their hair? Why should Michelle do something that very few women do, regardless of their race? I say let Michelle be Michelle, she's not our Barbie doll.
@Edwina
Plenty of us go natural . . . I'm an educated, professional Black woman with a TWA (teeny weeny afro). LOL
one of my favorite brooches!!! love this look
Bevi raises some extremely important points about the Obamas not having old money or oil money, and I think that is all the more reason to admire the fact that she doesn't try to live above her means and that she has put together a dynamite wardrobe that continues to be fresh and lovely through a variety of situations. And this is precisely what makes her such a fascinating first lady and why we are able to have fun watching and commenting about her. She's someone who's enough like us to make it possible to relate to her but different enough to give us all incentive to reach higher and do more.
I also agree with those who've noted Malia's recent facial expressions. My heart goes out to her; it has to be hard to make the changes she's had to make in the last couple of years and especially at such a sensitive age. I'm thankful that she has such a devoted mom to see her through this period in her life.
Sorry! It was Leah DiMarco who said that, not Bevi.
jersey girl-
That is true that Obama has money coming in from his books.
But he also has expenses going out including the Obama home in Chicago, etc. I think that just because some extra money is coming in that shouldn't mean that it should be 'blown'.
I also wanted to say in my post up above but forgot to add:
Michelle Obama will be First Lady for a total of 1430 days (Obama's first term in office)
If President Obama is re-elected that brings the total of days that Michelle will be First Lady up to 2860 days.
2860 - That's A LOT of outfits. So, of course it is unreasonable to think that we won't be seeing many repeats. I am sure Michelle will be adding new items - but I believe that she will not turn into a shopaholic ;)
I seriously want that brooch.
I think we should not discuss nor speculate about the children's well-being on this website. I do not believe that the Obamas would appreciate that, nor is it helpful.
Brooch envy! A dynamite combo with the jacket.
Plus, Mrs. O is empowering me to brooch more. Am thinking of expanding my collection. Perhaps J. Crew will have something cool... I always like their enamel costume jewelry and they must be taking notes on FLOTUS' style.
ps--Agree should not discuss the kids or the Obamas' personal life. Or politics. Just clothes, please...with occaisional thoughts on their influence/impact in the culture, women's roles, etc.
I heart this look, and I like her hair loosly swept up.
To those calling for mrs o to go natural, why? All the pictures of her dating back to high school she seems to have a relaxer, why would she all a sudden decide to switch it up now?
I like natural hair, my mom wears hers this way, but I don't feel 1 way better than the other, its just a personal preferance.
Totally agree Bevi, lets not try to play psychologist based off images.
You know what I really, really want to know? I want to know how Mrs. O's closet's organized, and how she keeps her accessories and her brooches. I mean, she's got a ton of stuff, how does she keep track of it all? How does she decide what to wear every day? Does she catalog her wardrobe somehow? Does she stand in the closet (because of course it's a ginormous dressing room) and spin around with her finger on her lips going 'hmmm... yes, this and that, with these shoes. oh and definitely that necklace and those earrings'. Does she keep track of what she wore when so she doesn't repeat?
Inquiring minds... I probably need something else to think about.
I love that she decided to go with an updo for a change. I thought she looked ravishing at the DNC with her hair up the night before her speech.
I like this look, its very strong....this is the "suit-like" looks I would love her to do more, because it still says "suit" but is more trendy, and fun (unlike the one she wore yesterday, which I was not too sweet on)
this is a strong look
ps: in regards to the "recycling," I think its pretty much due to the economy (imagine what the haters and nay-sayers will say if she is in a brand new outfit every time she steps out). Plus how many regular Americans you know wear a new outfit EVERY SINGLE OUTING (im pretty sure she is just continuing her practice from her life in Chicago), it would be pretty disingenuous for her to all of a sudden start rocking a new outfit everyday, and I love that the Obamas are about being themselves (love it or hate it) :-)
Oh I am so loving the brooch on that jacket.
I'm glad to see Michelle is wearing the same things over, and I don't think anything is wrong with mentioning that, as someone insinuated that it might be. We are in a recession, and I think recycling outfits just shows her intelligence and savvy and how she is in touch with what is going on in the country. *I* on the other hand, am going to need my own bailout b/c I am going broke purchasing brooches since I've been inspired by her. I hope someone reads this and gets some ideas, but I went to Target the other day and purcahsed two of the Erickson Beamon necklaces in the new collection. I didn't like them as necklaces, and as I said my post the day this blog announced the new collection was ready, I was disappointed that there were no brooches. So, what I did was take the chains off of them, and I'm planning on wearing them as brooches a la our Mrs O. I think they will look outstanding worn as brooches. I just wishe EB would've come out with some sort of large flower pendant that I could've made into a brooch to emulate Mrs O's flower brooches, but I'm working on some ideas in my head about doing something with the flowers that they do have in the collection ;-)
She looks gorgeous. As for hair, it's a personal choice and not ours to say.
I was wondering about her closet the other day too! I bet she has a whole room of clothes - to be able to put together all these fantastic looks.
I like that she changes it all up and rearranges things. They say that beautiful stylish French women buy good quality and wear it over and over with differnt scarves, etc. It's nice that Mrs. O is showing us such wonderful style right here in America by artfully rearranging things like she does.
Mom said if you buy things you love it will all go together. She was right.
(can I say how much I love her brows again?)
I totally agree that it's inappropriate to discuss the first family's personal life (kids, etc.) in a public forum. I got a little carried away when I saw that others had noticed the same things I have, but I agree that these things should be off limits and we should stick to clothes. That's what makes this site so much fun!
Hiatus, I LOVE that you're re-working the EB for Target collection. I have to admit, I was quite let down as well to find out there were no brooches in the collection - genius that you're making your own. Did you by chance see the pearl cluster pendant necklace? How did it look?
Back to the comments re: recycling fashion. Personally I consider this to be one of the most interesting parts of the story. I don't believe anyone has positioned it as hugely exceptional that Mrs. O is re-wearing items from her closet. Rather, we all seem to see it quite similarly: practical and relatable (and perhaps particularly relevant in tough economic times).
That said, I'm interested in Mrs. O's looks and accessories that seem to resurface more than others (old favorites perhaps?), and to understand that context of where clothes have been worn before. As someone pointed out to me a few months ago, this fashion and style will likely impact our social history. So for me, the backstory that surrounds it -from designers, to when and where it was first worn - is quite noteworthy.
Have a good night everyone!
Maybe I'm alone on this topic, but I think the word "recycled" is a misnomer - I'd wager First Lady Obama wears wardrobe items more than once because 1) she bought said items because she likes them; 2) she wears said items because she intended to wear them when she bought them; 3) they got with other things and are in line with her personal sense of style, and 4) it's pretty much the point of having a wardrobe. And style. Just my opinion.
Spot on SL!
And thank you Bevi for nipping the speculation in the bud-
Miz_glammie, please stay focused on the actual purpose of this site...This is not the first time you've strayed from fashion focused chatter - Please, stop...
"I’m glad to see Michelle is wearing the same things over, and I don’t think anything is wrong with mentioning that, as someone insinuated that it might be. We are in a recession, and I think recycling outfits just shows her intelligence and savvy and how she is in touch with what is going on in the country." -- from hiatus
I don't think there's anything "wrong" with mentioning that she wears outfit pieces more than once. I just think it's strange that she should be cheered for doing so, as if we really think she would wear a $3,000 coat and then throw it in the trash the next day. None of the rest of us would do that, so why should she? I don't think it's particularly savvy or 'in touch' of her, or any nod to a recession; I think it's just how most of us wear clothes, in good times and bad. No one is going out and buying an entire new wardrobe every day, right?
I agree with SL, above. Rather than talk about just the mere fact that she wears certain items more than once, as if that's unique, I think it's more interesting to note HOW she puts the clothing items together. I like her style very much! I love her eye for interesting combinations. But lauding her for wearing the same jacket twice, when *all* of us wear the same outfits many times, just seems strange. Of course she will "recycle," we all do.
As for Malia, I don't think any disrespect to the family was intended, but I wouldn't attempt to try to make any judgments based on a few photos that capture the barest snippet of their lives.
Michelle is a classy woman and a self-made millionairess, who is also proud of her roots.
She has not traded her great sense of fashion for an "oil- hieress-Stepford-wife-wanna be" now that she is in the White House. She has kept her feet firmly on the ground in her choice of small time designers, and "recycling" her wadrobe. Making her more approachable and keeping inline with President Obama's tight economic agenda.
Its also unfair to compare her to Jackie Kennedy, because Jackie use to work for Vogue magazine and naturally that was her life's appraoch.
But Michelle does not want to waste her time squeezing herself into front row seats at fashion shows, instead she is too busy fulfilling her duties as first lady on Nation Building and restoring the Economy, by setting a clear example on budgeting.
Michelle is the most famous woman in the world at the moment, and is highly sought after by all the famous designers and stylists who are offering her and her daughters free couture garments and services, but she has been polite in distancing herself from all that superficial hype instead she chooses to live in real time by paying for her clothes - a leaf out of Oprah's notes.
So for those who are too quick to judge her "recycling" tendencies - makesure to also note her character, she is true to herself,self-respecting and smart enough to be weary of those who would want to profit from her.
And for those who are urging her to have natural hair - How many women regardless of race, in today's society wear their hair natural, it would be interesting to find out.
Michelle would not misuse this rare platform as first lady by turning it into an "angry-black-women's-hair-topic", an opportunity which the media would jump at to over-shadow her first lady agenda - Thats why she is a smart lawyer!
Last but not least, full marks for Michelle for not straightening her nose or bleaching her skin - we know that this is a rare feature on black women who in the spot light.
She continues to dazzle us with her striking dark beauty and incredible stylish dress sense; pulling off looks many fashionistas would only dream of. She is a classic fashion icon and writing her own rules, which will be embedded in our history books forever.
The otber reason the media is obssessed with Michelle is because she defies all the misconceptions on Black Women which designers and media bodies have been painting for decades i.e. Rap video girls etc.
As for Malia's sullen expressions, she is just a kid being hounded by all these photographers, body guards etc - all this rapid change, a few years ago she was just doing normal things like hanging out at her friends house doing normal girly things and going to the shopping mall. Ofcourse it is a shock, and any psychologist will tell you that any major life event or sudden life change does cause a shock to the system. So give the kid a break, she is not in a sitcom, she is living a real life of 24 hour monitoring by FBI and not enough play time with her friends some who she has had to give up because of security vetting procedures.
Christina,
When Jackie Kennedy became first lady, she hired Oleg Cassini to be her personal coutourier. All of her clothes were one of a kind, and made specifically for her. She would meet with him and plan out her next season's clothes, and she would not often be photographed wearing the same outfit. There are some exceptions--like she'd worn the pink Chanel suit she had on when JFK was killed twice before (or at least had been photographed in it twice before). That's the only first lady I can go on. I never paid attention to any other ones. So, that's why to some of us it may be of note that she wears the clothes over again. Knowing she would be first lady and photographed a lot, she could've easily gone out and gotten a whole new winter wardrobe to wear. Many women would. But she didn't. I would also wager that every designer in this country is falling all over themselves to even send her free samples of their clothes, in the hopes that she would wear them and they could get exposure like Wu and Pinto have, but she is either declining the clothes or hasn't worn them yet. So, I have to take that as definitely worth giving her credit for being mindful of the economic state that we are in and dressing appropriately.
Someone mentioned she may not have money for clothes. Um, I highly doubt that. The Prez makes 400G a year, and I believe before she quit her job, she was either making 200 or 400G herself. And someone mentioned how they pay for their own food, clothes, etc--something everyone else in every other household in America is doing, and I'm sure it's not puting them in the poor house.
As to the speculation about her closet, she probably has some sort of organizing system for her clothes, shoes and jewelry. Most people organize them by color. I know I do. That makes it so easy to find things. And she may have a stylist like that Ikram lady who takes Polaroids of the outfits together for suggestions for her and she may just follow that. I really would love to know whose idea it was to wear the Erickson Beamon brooches with the pearls--was it theirs, hers, or Ikram's? That looked so good together.
My hair is natural and I find absolutey nothing wrong with relaxing, coloring, weaving, jheri-curling, locking, or altering one's natural hair in any way. Everyone has a right to decide what works best for them and we shouldn't pass judgment just because it's not what we would do. If her hair is healthy and it looks good, she has my full approval.
The First Lady really knows how to hook up an outfit! Look at how well even her earrings compliment that beautiful pin! And I wish that there was a full length photo of her standing so wse could see the full outfit in it's glory. Not walking but standing.
beautiful Mrs. O, you did good.