A Proclamation of Personal Style
Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 9:22 AM 
Photo by Joel Ryan/WPA Pool/Getty Images
As part of a day of events scheduled around London, First Lady Mrs. O joined the spouses of world leaders attending the G-20 conference at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden this morning. Per Politico, Mrs. O wears a Jason Wu dress and an asymmetrical Junya Watanabe cardigan. We recognize the green Jimmy Choo "Glacier" pumps from the Inauguration.
To our knowledge, this is one of the first times the First Lady has publicly worn Junya Watanabe (unless he's also responsible for that tiered black ruched number? Hmm...). Watanabe is a Japanese fashion designer who began his career at Comme des Garcons. We're excited to have a new name in the First Lady's wardrobe, and more importantly - to see Mrs. O making one of her boldest fashion statements yet! Mrs. O's remarks at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School in Islington, north London are a must see (thanks to those who linked to the video):
Jason Wu, Jimmy Choo, Junya Watanabe in Outfits
Reader Comments (330)
Sara, I disagree with you on all accounts. I don't think Mrs. O does whatever the hell she wants. She does what she feels is the right thing to do. I am not going to get political other that to say that she recognizes the issues we as a global community face and she tries to deal with them for her stance of influence.
The green shoes are favorites of hers, that is for sure.
for those who ignorantly are accusing Mrs O of ignoring protocol, maybe they should do some reading of the UK papers, and the Royal palace statement about the visit yesterday......
before you look more foolish than you already are
I like the dress (although with all the pleads it does accentuate her hips a bit), and I like the cardigan. I don't particularly like them together.
I am usually a fan of Mrs. O's clothing choices. But today not so much. The sweater has got to go. It just takes away the loveliness of the dress. She should wear the sweater with something else.
And Sarah Brown, OMG! She is wearing a "not there yet" outfit. Her body is not there yet to be wearing that. Mrs. Brown, pleases say "NO" to stretch fabrics and "YES" to a gridle and easy flowing cotton.
Has anyone noticed she has not taken off the pearls since she got there? I think the pearls add a conservative approach to her fashion forward style. I wonder if the Queen of England commented on Mrs. O's pearls.
Love the sweater but I am not too sure it goes well with the dress. The sweater even looks a little tight around her arms and waist and she looks a little unbalanced. The dress makes her have really big hips. Her postive personality and smile out do the outfit. Definitely not one of my favorite photos.
Poor Mrs. Brown, she needs some spanx or a bigger suit.
What color shoes goes with that color blue? I hate light shoes and black would kill it. Perhaps there is green in the sweater. I hope I can find the BBC video. Can someone post a link? I have worn cardigans for about the past 3 years and notice I never wear my jackets. I think it is a great look but tough on us who would like to buy some of her clothes at Crew. They vanish. I am still wanting that orange tweed skirt she wore in Vogue and that was pictured on this web site.
The sweater is meant to balance out her frame. The dress, with its full pleating, puts the focus on Michelle's lower half (I don't consider accentuating her hip area a bad thing) and the animated top brings the eye back up. It almost works, but the asymmetrical buttoning, patterns and the dress pleating congests her midsection a bit. That sweater has ALOT going on. It's shortest in back, the 2 front portions are also unequal (look at the distance from the hem to the button & buttonhole-the brown side is shorter), it might be better showcased over a more simple garment. I like the dress, but I still think Jason Wu has not yet mastered how to dress Michelle's body the way, say Maria Pinto does, but different designers have different motives. Wu is most interested in the manipulation of fabrics.
I really like the Wedgwood blue on Sarah Brown. The suit would be fine if it were a size larger, though. And a nude leg.
Are those her green shoes from the inauguration??
Of course the papers would be all over her, so they can deflect attention from the protests and what actually goes on in the G20!
I just think it's unfortunate that with all the internal mess that we have going on in the US (not to say the global issues aren't important) all EVERYONE talk about is what she's wearing and looks like she really LOVES the attention.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7978828.stm
It does look like the stripe on her left is green. And the sweater really does look misbuttoned. But in that group of women, wouldn't someone have told here?
Like this outfit, but please bring Maria Pinto back for one ensemble on this overseas trip.
Nobody understands Mrs. O body like Maria Pinto! Maybe if it's echoed enough on this blog, her aides might pick up the hint and pass it on.
I absolutely love this outfit. It's very Michelle, and I can't wait to see the dress without the sweater. If you look at the pictures from other angles, that dress is SWOOON. It's fitted at the top and then flares out at the waist. very 50's. And no doubt sleeveless. I can't wait to see it without the cardigan.
The cardigan is gutsy. It's not a tough sell for me because a) I love cardigans b) I love items that are quirky and reconstructed. So I love the sweater BUT I am going to get really cranky at it if she doesn't take it off soon so I can look at the dress.
I would say, this outfit is just what I love seeing from her. Last night's dress grew considerably on me, to the point where I really liked it after seeing many more pictures. Put I like for Michelle to wear color, and be adventurous. So yay!
And yeah, the shoes are not the best choice for this look, simply because the dress photographs as blue.
Dear Lord, it's mis-buttoned. This is how it should look:
http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/clothing/item10013720.aspx
I like the colors, but the style is a no no. Have you seen the back? Strange, to say the least.
It's pretty gutsy for Mrs. O to mix an avant-garde designer like Junya Watanabe with a more classic designer like Jason Wu.
The cardigan is termed "deconstructed," in reference to a piece being taken apart and put back together in a different way. The concept stems from 20th century artists such as Gordon Matta-Clark, who wanted to challenge the idea of stability by altering what we identity as "normal."
Here's a link to the BBC video: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7978828.stm
the lovely blonde lady who greets Mrs. Brown after Mrs. O. is J.K. Rowling (otherwise known as Jo) the author of the Harry Potter books.
It's fun to see the lineup of First Ladies on the Covent Garden stage at the end. All heights and a variety of dresses, suits, etc.
LOVE IT!!!
I swear judging by some of these comments, a few of you sound like the type who still run around making sure your handbag to your shoes match.
J.W is a a funky designer, wow! Mrs O is so fashion forward!
http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/cXjis48EGis/Spouses+Meet+During+G20+Summit/AFNJ5GKQRfX/Michelle+Obama
Here's the link of the opera event this morning--and the dress does look green on the video (to go with the green shoes) and not blue as in the photos.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7978828.stm
I like the individual pieces--dress, sweater, shoes--but not together and not for this occasion. I'm afraid I have to agree with those who'd like to lock up the cardigans! I do LOVE a great cardigan, and I'd include this one, but they just don't go with the dressy dresses or suit the occasions. These dresses call for jackets or coats, not cardigans.
The on-going “Cardigan look” is so boring and inappropriate. Yes, clothes should be fun and all these Cardigans are pretty, but simply not the attire for the occasion. Can’t she understand (and those helping her select her clothes) that the type of events that she is attending call for proper, elegant suits and dresses? It would have been so refreshing to see her in modern, vivid color, nice-cut suits and dresses. I think this is really what we were all expecting and at this point all those who are praising her looks are simply not being honest. I am surprised by the “fashion gurus” who are trying to excuse her by talking about her “unique” look and find her glamorous all the time. Please, how can tight, half-buttoned cardigans with rolled-up sleeves be appropriate? … Even to visit with the Queen!
LOVE the dress. Hate the sweater, but that's 'cause it's a bit fashion forward for me. I do like the shoes with it. Would yesterday morning's cardigan work with the dress?
As for Sarah Brown-- I think she's really beautiful. She has a gorgeous features and her hair is amazing. I was so intrigued by her from seeing her in pictures with Mrs. O that I visited her Wikipedia page last night (sadly there wasn't much there) and she's definitely another strong, smart First Lady.
She seems to really gravitate towards ill-fitting clothes which is the main problem. But the clothes themselves are quite dark and lacking personality. I would love to see her in light-colored print dress with a flowy skirt.
Don't get me wrong, it's just the style of the cardigan that I'm not keen on. I still think that Mrs O looks lovely. I adore the colors... including the green shoes. I mean, why not?
Just one more note: some things look good in person but don't photograph well--like the infamous election-night dress. Perhaps Mrs. O's stylist should start photographing her in the more avant-garde pieces to see how the rest of us will see them. Just an idea!
Because of moderation, some of us are not posting links when we refer to stories in the press. Please, if possible,include what paper that you read various information from so we can all google it. That would be so appreciated.
Mrs. O is always going to be unconventional and unexpected. For me, it's part of her charm. I don't love everything equally but I always can appreciate the creativity and fun that she expresses in her clothes.
As for the shoes, my favorite fashionistas from TLC's "What Not to Wear", always say, "it doesn't have to match, it has to go." By my color palette reckoning, those shoes "go" but don't "match."
"Gusty" is the new sloppy, right. Again, if Mrs. Brown wore this outfit, the response would be completely different. As for the Wantanabe being a political statement by Mrs. O, I can appreciate that. But any statement gets lost if the outfit is bad. The sweater looks bad on camera and look bad with paired with the dress. That's not the way to make a political statement. When Jackie Kennedy went to India, she had clothes made to resemble classic Indian design, she didn't wear the most unflattering confusing sweater with misaligned buttons by an Indian designer. No one's talking about her wearing a Japanese designer, they're talking about how she managed to not properly button her garish sweater. That's of no political help. That actually hurts. The way that sweater looks on her, I doubt Mr. Wanatanabe would even want to claim it's his work!
As for her having fun and being edgy, she's worn plenty of fun and edgy outfits and they've been flattering and beautiful. Remember her rocking bell sleeves and high waisted pants and patent leather boots. She's done edgy often and has done it right. She's done gutsy and has done it right. This is not gutsy. This is plain sloppy. If people have to wonder if you don't know how to button your clothes, that is not a fashion success. I'm really embarrassed to see the First Lady looking like this.
My links are still in moderation and will not post. So here's a slightly modified link to the opera event this morning. The dress looked green to match the green shoes and did not look blue as in the photos.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/7978828(dot)stm
Ell, Mrs. O wore an Azzedine Alaia cardigan to meet the Queen. It was a beautiful, high-end piece and there was nothing "tight" about it. Also, she made such an impression with the Queen that she actually broke protocol and touched Michelle's lower back! Or so I just read in an article in one of the British tabloids.
BUT more importantly...no doubt Michelle has eyes in her head! She knows what other people are wearing. As we have seen many many times, she is comfortable being outside of that. She has her own aesthetic that she follows.
You can certainly say that YOU don't like how she dresses, but those of us that do are not "pretending". Sheesh.
I really recommend that every head over to daylife or maybe yahoo, and look at pictures of this outfit from different angles. It's really quite lovely.
Mrs. Brown doesn't need to choke herself with Spanx (nor does anyone.) She just needs to choose more flattering styles. Not everyone can wear pencil thin skirts, and what a boring world it would be if they all did.
Following Mrs O's cardigans is fascinating. Mrs T, maybe a whole 'nuther blog for that? ;-)
I love all of the pieces... just not together:-/ I generally love what FL wears but today it's just ok. To the people who think cardigans are inappropriate- that's absurd! IMO it took away from her outfit today. But in general, I think it gives a jazzy, elegant, and sophisticated look. FL is almost 20 years older than me, but I find myself trying to emulate her style. I love it!
I am not thrilled with this look.
I agree with Josh P and Kels.
This country has become so dressed down, that anytime a comment is made, you are a hater or a troll (I am tired of these two words) That is not the point at all. This is a fashion blog and everyone is not going to agree on each outfit. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. This was a fun blog, but if you don't agree with everything that Mrs. Obama wears, you are a hater.
I also LOVE dresses and have more in my closet than suits. There is nothing wrong with her wearing dresses, but as someone else stated, sheaths look better on her body type.
It appears that Ikram is not taking into account Mrs. Obama's body type. Pleats accentuate the hips and makes one appear larger than they are.
Mrs. Obama does not need a stylist, but someone to help her with her clothing choices.
That cardigan is the worst thing I have ever seen this beautiful and stylish woman wear. It might be fun and fresh with jeans -- with a retro-ish dress and pearls it's just *awful*.
The shoes on the other hand -- I like.
The dress itself MIGHT be all right--but why, oh why, does she love those pleats and gathers and such that just make her lower half look even more out of proportion to her top half? That hideous sweater has got to go! Someone said it might be all right for lunch with her girlfriends--correct--but here, she just looks sophomoric. Someone help her.
Over on Politico, they are reporting that the Queen was contacted by Inside Edition and she says "there was no breach of protocol" regarding the touching of the Queen. This is just mindless blog fodder with no real basis in reality. The Queen was obviously charmed by Michelle, can we blame her?
I love the sweater. To be honest, part of me loves it just because it shoes she is totally comfortable in her own skin, totally her own person when it comes to fashion. What a role model for American women. Be yourself and do what makes you happy.
I also think her sweater shows that if she's hearing all you people telling her "the sweater/cardigan is just simply not appropriate," she certainly isn't going to listen.
Good for her.
Well, Mrs O has got us all talking for sure, and that's not a bad thing at all. Is she on some kind of mission to "save the cardigan", not that it's necessary.
Perhaps the London weather, which is quite mild, is swaying her choice of clothing. I'm in London so if I just happen to bump into her I'll have a word... or two about the "campaign". Gotta love her individuality lol
I said I didn't like the outfit and I don't think I've gotten flamed. I think that's because I can say my piece, make it clear that it's my opinion and not the opinion of the mythical protocol police, not suggest that a sweater is going to cause an international incident that will reduce America's standing in the world, and move on.
There's a picture on the Daylife site that is so fun -- all the first ladies standing in a row -- Mrs. O is towering over everyone!
I love the pearls she's been wearing. Does anyone know if they're real or are they costume jewelry? Are they the same pearls she wore in the official White House portrait?
Not sure if it was mentioned, but last night's dinner -- there were two, one for the men and one for the First Wives' Club. This site has a write up and photos of the wives and guests. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1166589/Sarah-Brown-introduces-cream-British-female-talent-Naomi-Campbell-Michelle-girls-night-in.html
JUNYA WATANABE. swoooooon.
I posted some pictures that should be up shortly from moderation. And two of them are of today's outfit, so you can see how great it really works. I think this picture is just an odd one.
But I do hope we get to see the dress underneath soon.
Mrs. Brown is no slouch in the height department, I should add.
Again! Paging Ms. Moneypenney... Rock it, Mrs. O, show off the gorgeous arms. Or try a silk scarf/shawl...
Shannon,
The sweater would be fine with a pair of jeans, but only in a setting where she would not be photographed. If she has to explain that they actually do know how to button their sweater, then the sweater should not be worn for a public event. Now, going out to lunch with the girls with a cute pair of jeans and a pair of her cutest flats, fantastic and edgy. To wear at a G20 event where every camera is focused on you and only you? No, not at all. I've been to many different sites today and people are trashing her. This is the one and only site where people are claiming this mess is a "gutsy" and "lovely". The sweater looks even worse from the back and skirt makes her look like she has a 40 inch waist and 60 inch hips. It's a disaster all around.
The sweater and the dress don't go together. The sweater is too weird to be photographed and the skirt is pleated, bad for hips, and the pleats are wrinkly. The outfit is ugly. And I'll say it again because it is true. Had Sarah Brown wore this fashion disaster, she'd be trashed on this blog by the very people claiming this outfit is somehow attractive.
I don't want to see Michelle Obama looking like a disaster overseas. She is so chic and well put together here at home, so why all the fashion disasters when all eyes are on her. Why suddenly, the Mamie Eisenhower look? I really hope she has someone who can sit her down and let her know what a fashion disaster this outfit is and encourage her to get a stylist. It's obvious that for the big moments she's wearing whatever is recommended and it's not working. Call Maria Pinto, Michelle!!
Christina, thanks for pointing that out! There is nothing newsworthy about someone leaving a comment that says "Oh, I don't like this look because of xyz, it's too busy, the colors, she looks hippy. etc, etc,"
It is another thing entirely when you've got armchair protocol experts insisting that what she's wearing is somehow inappropriate. It is just beyond silly, especially when you compare Michelle to what the other women are wearing.
This is a "miss" for me: too tight on the top with the very casual cardigan and then a a very wide skirt. I doubt that these activities called for casual attire. I imagine attires were requested to be :business casual: - a totally different thing to this outfit. She looks like a college student. But, I am sure her designers and staff know what they are doing (I hope). She has plenty of professional staff with her - even her personal chef!
Kels,
I have a question for you. WHEN do you ever go to an article about Michelle Obama and people are NOT trashing her? That never happens. And yet she has a 76% approval rating. So, how do you explain the disparity? It is because there are certain people with dark souls who love to spend their time leaving nasty comments about people they don't like. And Michelle is no different. She is very beloved by Americans and throughout the world, so please do not take a bunch of comments on a blog as indicative of anything real. You can like or dislike the outfit, but do not base it on some anonymous comments.
I am really amazed at some of the things people believe. I mean do you REALLY think that Michelle Obama, someone who was until recently the vice-president of a hospital, just DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO DRESS HERSELF? And has NO idea of what's appropriate? I mean how do you say that she "looks like a disaster overseas". This paranoia that she's making some huge mistake is very hard to understand for me.
So please...calm down! Take a deep breath. Gosh, you would think she was wearing a burlap bag or something....
I actually like it (a lot more than the outfit she wore boarding the plane to come here)
this is so her, so unconventional, and I really like that she is taking risks, its so fashion forward, and I LOVE IT!!
I would like to see the dress without the cardigan though (she has worn 3 cardigans in a matter of 2 days now)
THUMBS UP FOR THIS ONE!
For all the people in hysterics, here is how Michelle is being received in London! (An excerpt from an AP article-- Mrs T, perhaps you should highlight some of these in a future post)
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Mrs. Obama clearly made an impression with the 82-year-old monarch — so much that the smiling queen strayed from protocol and put her arm around the first lady in a rare public show of affection.
It was the first time Mrs. Obama — who is nearly a foot taller — had met the queen. The first lady also embraced her.
A Buckingham Palace spokesman who asked not to be identified because of palace policy said he could not remember the last time that the queen had displayed such public affection with a first lady or dignitary.
"It was a mutual and spontaneous display of affection," he said. "We don't issue instructions on not touching the queen."
The Daily Mail said the "two women clearly took to each other."
Wednesday's reception was followed by a dinner at Prime Minister Gordon Brown's Downing Street home, where the leaders' spouses were joined by notable British women, including "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and Olympic gold medal runner Kelly Holmes.
"Michelle walks in and she is as she seems," Holmes told reporters Thursday. "So warm, engaging, a beautiful, beautiful lady — and I quickly got my photo in the middle of her and Sarah Brown," the prime minister's wife.
Mrs. Obama also seemed to win over the often feral British press.
The last time a first lady made such a hit in Britain was last year with French President Nicolas Sarkozy's wife, the former fashion model wife and songwriter Carla Bruni.
But on Thursday, London's Times newspaper wrote "Carla who?"
The BBC described Mrs. Obama as her husband's co-star rather than supporting act — appropriate for a Harvard-educated lawyer.
"She seems to be a good role model," said onlooker Rebecca Smith, who waited outside Buckingham Palace Wednesday to catch a glimpse of the Obamas.
"A strong, intelligent woman, I think she'll go down very well here," Smith told the BBC. "Michelle Obama has a strong aura about her, a bit like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis."
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So you see? Nothing to worry about. She has been fantastic.