Wednesday
Apr012009
Mrs. O Sparkles at Downing Street
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 at 5:44 AM 
Photo by Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
While yesterday we saw not one, but two grown-up dress and coat combinations, Mrs. O has brought out her youthful charm today, dressed in a J.Crew ensemble that has the promise of Spring. Here she arrives at the Prime Minister's residence, 10 Downing Street, dressed in J.Crew's Crystal constellation cardigan embellished with beads, rhinestones and sequins, paired with J.Crew's Dazzling-dots pencil skirt in mint green jacquard.
Reader Comments (285)
I'm here obsessing over the 1st lady look, as away to avoid this major thesis I'm working on. I'll be in London, I hope to see them @ one of the G20 committee I'm attending.
I looooooove this look, so fresh and kewl, yet lady like. I can't wait for what she'll wear when meeting the royal family.
It's an unexpected look, some would say spring, some might say a tad too informal and "party" given the occasion and time of day.
Any word on the designer? Is is really JCrew (as rumored)?
I love this look.
I don't think this dressing is for an occasion, it looks pretty casual to me, more like something she wore to just visit Mrs Brown while the hubbys are attending G20 meetings.
I LOVE this look (3 for 3 now)
I disagree that it is too formal, its not a dinner or anything, and certainly not like meeting the queen
this is so HER!! and I love that she is being HERSELF!!
BRAVO!!!
Here is a great full length photo of Mrs. O beside Mrs. Sarah Brown. She may change clothes to meet the Queen, but judging from her schedule of events for the day, she may not have time. I love this look! She looks like a breath of fresh air!!
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0czv9XK8m5f8T
I fear the Brit press is going to take her apart. This is not what they will think you wear to see the PM. I'm ambivalent. I think sparkly sweaters are fun and retro, but this to me is an out to dinner at a hip restaurant outfit. I think a cool suit was a little more in order.
Yep Susan. It's confirmed J. Crew
http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2009/04/michelle-obama-wears-jcrew-to-visit-10.html
Brenda,
the commentators on the BBC were very complimentary about the outfit.
I must disagree with some of the naysayers about this outfit. I think it is absolutely appropriate and gorgeous. It suggests friendship and openness, with a touch of class. The outfit is a literal breath of fresh air and appropriately symbolic of the new administration. I am so incredibly proud of this First Lady.
Stayed up late to catch this...(2am/3am) here in California!)
I think she looked lovely - She's only there informally this morning for breakfast in her capacity as spouse...
She really gets it - watch and see as each outfit reflects the occasion, "capacity" and general tone-
They must both be so exhausted; jetlag and all - The president sounds like he's caught a cold; overworked and sleep deprived but yet still amazingly capable of thinking on his feet -
I'm in awe!
Mrs. O always manages to surprise, doesn't she? Of the three outfits we've seen so far, I like the nubby white coat and black dress she wore leaving Washington the best, but all three are lovely. The sweater/skirt combination is very young and fresh. Let's face it, she can pull off any look!
I was expecting something more structured and tailored, but what happens when you do that -- Michelle surprises you! They're saying that after breakfast she went with Mrs. Brown to visit a local hospital for cancer patients, so no doubt her choice of outfit reflects the destination. I wonder if she'll change before meeting the Queen. It's not bare arms, but a cardigan is quite informal.
I'm a Brit and just had to watch their arrival live before heading out for the day. Yes, the British press can be ruthless, but they cannot fault her on this look - which works so well. The pictures captures details that you miss on the TV and she looks even more fabulous than I initially thought. I love the cardigan and skirt detail.
Btw, she is dressed more than appropriately.. not to mention comfortably. Along with the PM wife, they'll be visiting a hospital, amongst other things. Once again, great look.
I think we'll see two more outfits today--one to meet the queen and a gown for the state dinner this evening.
this is so exquisite- I love the colors on her.
Whew It's good to hear the British approve. That's what really matters after all, the good impression, and not being a Brit myself, it's hard to gauge all the landmines of political etiquette! It's going to be an exhausting week lol.
PalGirl, I wasn't thinking so much about the BBC as the tabloids. The Daily Mail can be brutal. But it will be a Mrs. O.-filled day, so maybe they'll hold off on their snark until they see everything.
The Daily Mail is surprisingly positive.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1166336/The-ladies-fashion-Michelle-Obama-Sarah-Brown-set-style-standard-G20-wives.html
Commenters are just starting to chime in, and some of them are not complimentary.
I like it, but I think some editing could have improved the overall effect. For instance, choosing either a more toned down blouse to go with the high gloss mint skirt, or toning down the fabric of the skirt to play up the sparkly cardigan. Also I think this look didn't need as many bracelets as she has going there on top of the pearl necklace and shiny shoes. You almost don't know where to look. She must have blinded the photographers snapping away in the early morning sun with all the reflected light bouncing off of her.
I do hope JRG is right and there's a change of clothes before meeting queen Elizabeth or they WILL trash Michelle for being inappropriate.
Mrs O nailed the spring look with her elegant shoes. Everybody was expecting her to turn up stiff and formal but stunned us with a bright and sparkly ensemble that glides well on her tall elegant figure...she is very confident within herself, she can wear a simple look with great ease and accessorises it with her radiant personality.
The women attending the state dinner must be hyperventilating...I would. Naomi Campbell, Dame Holmes etc.
Mrs O keeps women on their toes, reminds them that, they too can be multi-tasking, well toned and youtfhful looking yummy mummies, be desired by a powerful man, be a higher achiever and be drop dead gorgeous on a budget.
wow jen, i totally disagree
this is HER, and this is why we love her, i love it in every way
i mean what did everyone say when she "toned" it down before boarding the plane in the white and black chanel-esque Thakoon jacket, guess what, we were BORED!!
She jazzes it up, and that is why people love her style, we don't want her to be boring, so i certainly hope she "tones" NOTHING down, we don't pay attention to people who "tone" it down
please Mrs. O, tone NOTHING DOWN!!
Brenda,
the daily mail just posted their writeup of Mrs.O's ensemble...and they were complimentary also
^^I agree. Though I don't want our First Lady wearing J Crew to meet the Queen, no matter how nice it may be. I want her to at least wear a designer label for that if not something custom.
But what a great message to send "I can meet the Queen, look fabulous, make a great impression, and not spend thousands of dollars."
Fresh, young and oh-so-ladylike. I just ordered the skirt - can't help myself!
The girl makes the clothes~The clothes don't make the girl!
I think the top is very pretty, but it does seem a bit small (maybe too short/too tight?). I don’t really care for the mont green color of the skirt. The whole look though, again, is really good. Indeed very Spring like. I did see some of the BBC pictures, where it seemed to me that she was wearing a bit too heavy make-up for a breakfast/day meeting (silver eye make-up etc). Like all the bracelets. And nice heels!!!
I thought Sarah Brown looked really elegant as well, albeit a bit dark. MO really stands out!
I love it!!! Michelle is a ray of sunshine in stuffy suit land (sorry Barack, no dis intended), but seeing her next to Sarah Brown is like night and day the difference is so stark. One looks dull and uninspired even though the woman herself may not be, while the other radiates confidence and originality. Literally 'wearing it on her sleeve' is Michelle!
Mrs.O just sparkles and i'm loving it. I definitely think that skirt is j.crew. Check out this photo.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0fYN4UR5SiaQb?q=Michelle+Obama
Mrs. O just glows while Sarah Brown and the other woman look a bit dowdy. No offense to them but you definitely notice Michelle first.
Wow okay as a gay man who just got back from the 70's timewarp I was inadvertently spiralled into I gotta disagree with everyone on the shoes. They are killing me with the disco ball effect. A satin pump would have pushed this 9.5 to a perfect 10 IMVHO. That is all I would change on this otherwise gorgeous outfit.
Wow I guess everyone is entitiled to their opinion but I think Mrs O looks fabulous. I will apologize right up front because I know this is disparaging to the PM's wife but her black dress and black hose look hedious IMO and Mrs O looks like a fresh spring flower and everything I have read out of London is very complimentary of her outfit.
Here are some pictures of MO and Sarah Brown during their morning visit:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1166336/The-ladies-fashion-Michelle-Obama-Sarah-Brown-set-style-standard-G20-wives.html
It says something about MO possibly wearing "body-slimming 'magic pants'".
I have to say I thought the same thing for a moment, when I saw the fourth picture on this page:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1165669/Our-special-friendship-Gushing-Obama-makes-Washington-snub-meets-Brown-No-10.html
(where she is walking next to SB).
I just heard on MSNBC that the first lady indeed will change clothes before meeting the Queen..
Can't she just be herself? - do the Obamas need to copy everyone? Give me a break and quit saying that everyone loves this "Beautiful" couple - beauty is not what is seen in this couple.
Apparently hose is a huge deal at important occasions there because the Queen prefers it. Though I agree Sarah could've chosen a more complementary color instead of the black on black.
I love Michelle, but this is a shocking miss. Too, too informal and not flattering and too glitzy for daytime.
Mrs. O out fit reminds me of the Ladies for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, with her Pink and Green on. Reportedly she and honorary member of this group.
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!
The colors are fabulous.
The dress/coat combinations are wonderful as well. Perhaps I am reminded of my own mothers style..mimicking Jackie in the early 60's.
I smile each time I see her latest outfit!
i agree its a bit too shiny for a daytimr event,and i understand we are in a recession but j crew is a bit too chip for a first lady IMHO.
P.S. The shoes add insult to injury. TOO MUCH GOING ON: patterned shoes, checked skirt, glittered sweater, pearls. I feel sad for and protective of her. But I'm relieved to read her that she will change before meeting the queen. Good to remember that the royals are terrible dressers, though.
Thank you Mrs O for being true to yourself because you and your husband are indeed a BEAUTIFUL COUPLE. Beautiful in the way you carry yourself, beautiful in the dignity in which you hold your positions as President and First Lady and the most beautiful couple to look at IMO since the Kennedys. Keep on making us proud.
gloria you are spot on.too bling bling for a daytime event.i just noticed the shoes too,arrgh
but michelle still rocks!
I'm so sad for those who can't see the beauty in this outfit. Too "bling bling?" How do y'all dress? LOL.
She looks fresh, smart, and ready to have tea and walk around a cancer center hoping to spread some sunshine and inspiration to those around her.
And I hope everyone gets to see the picture of she and Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown was not wearing a suit. She was wearing a dark knit skirt and shirt. That's all.
Anyway, she looks fresh and if silver on a cardigan represents "bling bling" then we've got some boring dressers amongst us.
Do your thing Mrs. O!
That outfit is fabulous in every way. LOVEEEEEEEEEE the skirt. Much better than Sarah Brown, who looks like she's going to a funeral, lol.
Layo, there is a vast range between this and boring. That was why I suggested the editing. Less is more doesn't necessarily mean boring. It can mean balanced instead of overkill.
Some people on here needs to get a "GRIP" did you folks even notice what the prime minster wife was wearing. Mrs. Brown outfit was not flattering at all on her frame. Yet, you got some people on here picking apart Michelle sweater and dress. Good Lord, take look at Mrs. Brown outfit seriously here is the link http://thisweekwithbarackobama.blogspot.com/ and scroll down.
Man, Sarah Brown didn't stand a chance what with that dark and depressing look. Keep in mind they went to visit a hospital, Michelle's bright colors will surely uplift some spirits in there. However I would have done away with the pearls. They are just too much!
Forgot to mention that I absolutely love the skirt!
"That outfit is fabulous in every way. LOVEEEEEEEEEE the skirt. Much better than Sarah Brown, who looks like she’s going to a funeral, lol. " -Willa
My husband basically said the same thing. However, I think Ms. Brown was just having an off day. She seems like a nice woman.