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)
I like the outfit, it may not be on my top 3 list but I like, it's fun, I especially love the seater/cardigan; take some time go over to daylife.com and check out other pictures; initially I thought she'd made a huge mistake with the sweater but after seeing other pictures I'm in love with it; oh why can't I afford it, why? (don't answer lol)
If they swapped outfits, people would start gushing about how Sarah Brown is "starting to get it" and learning from Michelle Obama. Really!
Jenna:
What does a VP at a hospital have to do with dressing? You are mixing apples and oranges. Trust me, I work on Wall Steet, and you should see some of the get-ups around here. It would make your head spin. A job title does not make a great dresser (even highly paid professionals. In this industry, the men dress much better than the women. Most people have not idea what "business" casual means. I stated above, the country has become "too" casual and anything goes. I am not that much older than Mrs. Obama and some of her fashion choices are not "young and exiting", maybe when we were in college but not in a professional environment.
She needs to find someone to help her decide what fits her body type. Pleats and belts are not her friends!
I just did a little round up of some recent British and American articles about Mrs. O. I recommend you guys do the same. They are UNIVERSALLY gushing. I am very proud of her.
If you go to "Google News" and type Michelle Obama, you can read this morning's batch of articles.
Thank you Jenna!
Even though not everyone likes the outfit and the press may not like it, she'll be wearing something new soon and all is not lost. Millions put such high expectations on one woman. We do all need to just take a breath...
I agree to like or dislike what Mrs. O is wearing but to bring up protocol, appropriateness, etc. is not being informed. And if you look at any of the group photos with other women on this trip, Mrs. O is more informed than a lot of them.
can we PLEASE stop trashing Mrs. Brown...it is simply not nice, she is still the leading lady of a country, and deserves respect!! (simply don't comment on her outfit if you have nothing nice to say!)
ps: and can we also stop calling people who have constructive critisicms "trolls," as long as their comments are in good faith, chill out a little, as long as you love Mrs. O's outfit, and are free to express it, then let others be free to express their opinions...jeez!!
STILL LOVING THIS OUTFIT, so very youthful and FASHION FOWARD!! (who would have thought you can make a cardigan fashion forward!)
Jersey girl, you are right. As soon as I hit submit, I wanted to change that.
Here is what I should have said... Mrs. O is an accomplished, smart, and fashionable woman. You can, on this very blog, see hundreds of different outfits that she has put together over the last six months. She has her own style, that's for sure. But the idea that she's just hopelessly clueless about how to dress is absurd. We KNOW that's not the case. So go ahead and trash the outfit if you hate it, but the attitude of "Call Maria Pinto" is so insane. Obviously, she is dressing herself the way she likes to be dressed.
So that was my point, really.
Another bold statement. I am in awe.
People that do not get it, I understand. It is very hard for many to steer away from pre-conceived ideas of how to dress. Matching, is so, so passe. Matching little tops and jackets, please stop suggesting that, it is such a matronly concept. Open your minds and your attitudes towards clothes. This is an inspiring moment.
RJT, totally agree.
It takes confidence to wear Watanabe, and I love the twist it adds to her very pretty dress. Mrs. O is being herself. And looks amazing.
Janelle, actually I have not seen ANY press that does not like what Michelle has worn. But your larger point is quite correct! I mean, people just take these things way too seriously.
I go on sites, particularly the Huffington Post style section, where Michelle is praised for her fashion. In the comments section on certain sites, most people usually like what she wears. There are always a few "trolls" and it's obvious they are trolls because they never comment on her clothes but make disparaging remarks about her looks, or call her radical, or spew some racist rhetoric. It's rare you see genuine criticism of her clothes, because there is usually nothing to criticize. So that's what I mean about her suddenly being "trashed". It's real criticism on this outfit, not the same comments from the obsessive haters. You question seems to imply that any criticism is hating. As if saying this outfit is a disaster is the same as going on and on about some made "whitey" tape. It's not. I don't like the outfit and I've explained exactly why. I don't base my opinion on others comments. I mentioned the comments to basically lament on what a vacuum this place has become, where genuine fashion criticism is reported to the moderator, as if someone is a troll and a hater. As I said, has Sarah Brown wore this sloppy outfit, no one would be praising it.
Just because someone was a vice-president of a hospital doesn't mean they know how to dress themselves. It means they're intelligent and successful. And I never said her outfit wasn't appropriate. I don't know who said that, but it wasn't me. I think she's been entirely appropriately dressed this entire trip. An outfit being appropriate for the occasion and nothing to do with the way it fit or photographs. It's appropriate to wear a dress with a full skirt and a cardigan to a opera in the day time. I'm not saying she's not appropriate, I'm saying the outfit is ugly and unflattering and embarrassing. That's what I mean when I say she "looks like a disaster overseas". She's the First Lady of the United States. She's not our best girlfriend or cousin or sister. She's the First Lady. And she should not be in sloppy ill fitting clothes. That's not hating that the truth. It doesn't matter if the outfit is pretty or ugly or boring, but it should fit, period. It should not look like a mess, period. I don't think I'm being paranoid for being embarrassed about our First Lady looking like a mess when all the world is watching her. That shouldn't happen. And as for the burlap bag comment, don't speak too soon. Looking at this outfit, she just may show up in France wearing one, with a cardigan of course. And of course, it will be "AMAZING!!!". Right?
And please remember that we are just commenting about dresses, styles, harido, etc... and there is nothing personal about Mrs. Obama's beautiful personality, great body, charisma, warmth, or beauty. She is extremely charming.
Kels, ok we hear you. writing a 4 page comment on the mess and disaster that is miss o's outfit is NOT going to change the minds of the people that LOVE it. You message has been received. please enough already. Using verbs like mess, disaster, inappropriate and giving backhanded compliment show your true intentions no matter how much you try to hid it with false concern. thanks for you input. we get it. you hate it good for you.
Jenna,
I believe the prior thread had it, but the Daily Mail (UK)called the outfit "garish" and of course Huffington Post has a poll going on it. I disagree, but everyone certainly has a right to their opinion.
I'm trying to understand fashion better and be more open-minded and this site has been helpful in doing that. But there will be more outfits to come and I look forward to them all--even the controversial ones.
more pics of the sweater and other G20 wives today
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1166336/First-Ladys-fashion-sense-falters-Michelle-Obama-Sarah-Brown-meet-day-G20-summit.html
Mrs. Obama looks very cute in that. The photo, I think, isn't especially flattering just b/c of the way it's shot. As far as someone's suggestion that she and Mrs. Brown need to switch outfits, I disagree: No woman of their age should wear such a dowdy suit.
Agreed Janelle. You've only got to look at some of those truly ghastly outfits to know that Michelle is WAY out in front of the others in terms of style.
Overweight ladies in shiny, boxy Margaret Thatcher suits? Eek. Other ladies showing off their cellulite in clingy dresses and no control pants. EEP. Terrible colour combo's, nasty skirt lengths.... sigh.
However, I must admit to detesting Mrs O's cardigan. It's a pretty dress but the cardigan kills the whole outfit. Argyle really should be kept on the golf course where no-one can see it. Even a black cardigan would have been better. And why green shoes? Hmmm....
Prada did asymetrical cardigans about 4 years ago. They were nice - off centre broaches, very pleasing.
I really love how Mrs. O pairs cardigans with dresses.
And again, to reassure those who seem quite afraid that Michelle is making some awful mistake in London, another account from Reuters of how she is being received:
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First Lady Michelle Obama has wowed fashion writers with her casual style, use of color and her penchant for the sleeveless dress at the G20 summit in the British capital this week.
Newspapers in Britain and the United States were united in their praise for Obama's sartorial choices for outings with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's wife Sarah, an official reception with Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace and dinner at Number 10 Downing Street.
The right-leaning Telegraph newspaper compared Brown unfavorably with Obama, saying the PM's wife had upped her fashion game after being upstaged by French President Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni during an earlier visit from the French first couple only to be trounced by Obama this week.
"In her drab navy ensemble by Britt Lintner which she wore to the same engagement at Charing Cross Hospital, she paled in comparison to Michelle Obama, the fusty matron to the Glamazon," the Telegraph said.
And Obama has also put paid to those Americans fretting that the First Lady's fondness for baring her biceps might be embarrassing when she met with the British queen in a sleeveless number disguised with an elegant black cardigan. The queen wore pink.
"Changing into an elegant black-and-white Isabel Toledo dress from springy J.Crew pieces Wednesday in London, First Lady Michelle Obama showcased her versatility and officially became one of the fab four of the political fashion world in the modern era-joining Jacqueline Kennedy, French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Princess Diana," enthused the Chicago Tribune.
The cardigan came off after the G20 dinner at the official residence of the British prime minister to even more applause from the fashion pack, revealing the sculpted biceps that New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd praised for being the "only bracing symbol of American strength right now."
Dani,
I'm not giving back-handed compliments and I never said she wore anything that was inappropriate. And I used words like disaster and mess because that's what this outfit is. Or are we only allowed to use glowing adjectives even when we don't like an outfit? Please quit implying that I'm a hater or a troll simply because I hate this outfit. I admire the First Lady. I want her to get a stylist or get Maria Pinto on the phone.
Well, Janelle, "love it" is wining on Huffington Post.
I guess what I was trying to say is that, Mrs. O loves fashion that's quirky and adventurous. This is not really new, if you have been following her style. She was well aware, when she put on that cardigan, that not everyone would like it. Obviously, she doesn't mind! So blast away if you hate it. But it's rather strange to think she's just an ingenue who needs some help dressing herself. So that's the idea that I was objecting to.
Anyways, no doubt we'll get to see this dress without the sweater soon! And there will be a new outfit to argue about later tonight. This is all so much fun.
omg this is hillarious!!!! i've had enough! lorl...Kels take it easy..don't take it personal! i don't like the shoes with the outfit but i still think she look gorgeous.... but the most important thing is dat she's representing us well and standing out soooo wellll. so who cares if the shoes are red! she looks very american and she's being her self...
I'm wondering if we'll get to see the Jason Wu dress without the cardigan today. I think the general consensus is we want to see the full silhouette underneath.
I know in side photos, and when she's walking in the photos it really is nice. Also, in the BBC video, the dress appears green, not blue. But I knew when I saw the main photo this morning it was going to be "caliente" on this blog today. I've enjoyed reading all the thoughts--love it or hate it, I don't think you can be lukewarm about this outfit!
Love how Mrs O has been looking these last few days. I am not feeling this outfit. Love the color however. I have two words for Mrs. Brown...BODY MAGIC!!!!
K.A.....Your right Michelle looks lovely. I think she is having fun with her fashion. And every photo she looks happy in her clothing. Sure most of her styles are not my taste but I love the fact she is not dressing for me but herself.
Those making comments about certain outfits not being appropriate please take my advice and "GROW UP". There is no hand book written in stone on what is appropriate dress for a First Lady. I have taken a brief look at many First Ladies around the world and Mrs.Obama fits perfectly among them.
Now I know why Michelle was given the code name "Renaissance" she refuses to follow stuffy stereotypes of dress. Rock on Michelle Rock on!!! :)
Onyx, the only thing I like are the shoes and the color. Other than that...well, you know the rest. I'll leave it at that cause I'm sure some people are already trying to get me banned cause I said this outfit is a disaster. Apparently, we're not allowed to use the word "disaster" on this site.
Oh dear. From today's Daily mail(Brit paper):
Comments (225) Add to My Stories
"
After the G20 wives wowed us with their style prowess yesterday, Michelle Obama and Sarah Brown appear to have stumbled in the glamour stakes with today's choice of clothing...
Yesterday's dazzling J. Crew outfit may have won her praise from the hard-to-please fashion press - but the bizarre cardigan sported by Michelle Obama at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden today was rather less well-received.
The First Lady kept her famous toned arms covered in the asymmetric creation by Japanese designer Junya Watanabe, which featured a garish argyle pattern and was embellished with yet more sequins.
A far cry from her signature sleeveless shift dresses, Mrs Obama also wore a teal-coloured full-skirted prom dress by Jason Wu.
Despite the huge entourage, it seems the 45-year-old decided to travel light, as she wore the two-string pearl necklace seen yesterday, for a third time."
Meow!
This outfit is like a Michelle What was She Thinking Greatest Hits:
1. Pearls. Double strand: No. Never. Worn at night, in the morning, the afternoon, for tea, for lunch...Does she have any other jewellery?
2. Prom dress. Fabric is wrong for daytime. Color is OK but not too flattering. Gathered skirt intended to conceal her wide his does the opposite. This looks like something you might wear to a friday night dance at the country club in squaresville.
3. Cardigan. No. Stop. Please stop.
4. Same Jimmy Choo shoes that did not match the hideous Inauguration DayMother-of the Bride ensemble also does not match today's utfit.
Inappropriate, unflattering, and odd. The worst so far (and that's saying something).
also, could someone show her how to stand with her legs together?
I love Mrs.O, she is a role model for black women everywhere. She is beautiful and elegant. But sometimes she misses the mark on her outfits. I know she has her own style and ideas on how she wants to look, but maybe before getting photographed she should get suggestions from others about outfits the shes chosen. Please Mrs. O you would look so much cooler in more moderate outfits that show off all those beautiful sexy curves!
Jenna,
Thanks for the H. Post update--that's good to hear the outfit is winning! Usually, I try to stay over there b/c the trolls come out early. I've been coming to site for awhile but never posted until right before this overseas trip.
The excitement is so great that you can feel everyone's passions--either yay or nay--for an outfit. They want the First Lady to look her best.
But I know Michelle is confident enough to take the hits and criticisms and roll on to the next outfit, which I'm sure she will. She's got a lot on her plate.
I liked the outfit and appreciate her boldness. But I also understand not liking it at all. It's hard to be in the middle on this one.
I'd love to see what the Jason Wu dress looks like. Not a big fan of the cardigan, but it works well with the color of the dress and dig the Jimmy Choos. Mrs. Obama does wonders with color.
I feel awful for Mrs. Brown. That is an ill fitting garment if I've ever seen one. She should get some help with her wardrobe and select garments that a properly fitted.
Kels, I think we'll just agree to disagree about the outfit!
But you must understand how unnecessary it is for you to say that people who like it are either pretending or mindless. Why even go there? Why not express your own opinion and accept that others disagree. Have an argument about the merit of the dress, since that's what the blog is for, but don't be so judgmental.
You really need to take a deep breath and relax. Fashion is not something to take so seriously! It's actually supposed to be fun. Maybe that's the one thing you can learn from Mrs. O.
Thank you LeeLee!!!!
I think the dress looks beautiful. I just wish I could see the entire thing with out the sweater. I personally do not like the sweater with the dress in this instance. It does, as someone else said, look a little sloppy and misbuttoned.
Interesting comments by the person (Dani?) who said her choices were a nod to the various countries. Interesting idea!
nonpasserat,
Don't you know this is the greatest and most beautiful outfit she has ever worn?! This puts the teal DNC speech dress to shame! Her purple sheath paired with her famous black belt is nothing compared to this! This outfit is so perfect and beautiful it makes her Governor's Dinner ballgown look like a burlap sack! Actually, if she wore a burlap sack then I would love burlap sacks! Not matching the buttons is on your sweater is gutsy! The whole look is a political statement! And it's totally in to make your waist and hips twice their real size! Don't you know this?!!!
Moderator, where are you?!!! Ban this troll!!
Kels, we're not trying to get you banned because you hate the outfit. It's more because you're a troll. You post the exact same thing repeatedly, redundantly, ad nauseum... you get the point. Post after post after post, sometimes in more than one thread. Now you're trying to anger everyone by insisting she'll wear a burlap sack. Enough already. Go be a troll elsewhere. You can come back when she DOES wear a burlap sack, m'kay?
Mss. Brown was wearing a Scottish designer, Graeme Black. The dress was unfortunate, but she was trying to wear one of her nation's designers too. Here is copy on Graehme Black:
Designer name: Graeme Black
Origin: Carnoustie, Scotland
Career highlight: “My first show in London.”
What the papers say: “The clothes were the essence of modern luxury.” Suzy Menkes, International Herald Tribune, on Graeme Black’s autumn/winter 2008 collection.
What he says: “Sportswear glamour best describes the style of my designs.”
Name three things that are inspiring you at the moment: “Sailing, Scotland and Bridget Riley graphics.”
Who is your ideal customer? “Queen Rania of Jordan. She dresses with such intelligence; I love her chic, effortless style.”
A visitor is in London for an afternoon. Where would you recommend they go? “The British Museum is a wonderful experience. Tim Jefferies’ Hamilton Art Gallery and the Tate Modern are also must-visits.”
There are some new pictures up on Daylife. She is watching some students perform. And she looks really lovely. The colors of the cardigan are so vibrant, and I really love her hair today.
As much as i respect Mrs. Brown, I think it's totally wrong for the wife of the PM of britain to step out in public with her panty lines n every bulge poking out... common! it says a lot about the person...a little checking out in front of the e-mail would have told her she needed spanx to look polished..it makes her look tacky, i'm actually upset! lol! but really it's indecent why do i have to know dat she's wearing granny pants underneath????sighhh!
Jen,
So it's ok to say the same thing over and over again if you like the outfit, but it's not ok to say the same thing over and over again if you don't like the outfit?
Jenna,
I'll take a deep breath and relax if you do the same. Remember, I wasn't the one using capital letters, aka, yelling, to express myself. That was you.
I don't think Kels is a troll. Also...does this blog even ban people?? I am pretty sure there is no such thing, unless you write something truly, truly offensive.
Anyway, does anyone know where online we can see Michelle's schedule? So far, I have only found Barack's and I am really curious about her activities for the rest of the day. Isn't there some dinner or something tonight?
oops i meant checking out infront of the mirror not e-mail...haha i'm at work..lol!
Wow, I just some closes of the dress on Daylife. And it looks so pretty with the pearls. The sweater is cute and colorful for her school visit was very appropriate. Mrs. Obama looks sort of reminds me of my favorite second grade school teacher.
I just found a brilliant picture of the worst dressed woman at the party last night (including the Russian wife) .... scroll down to the shot of Naomi Campbell. All I can think is that she was on her way to a hookers convention after meeting Mrs Obama. Unbelievable. All she's missing is tassels.
http:// www. dailymail. co.uk/ femail/ article-1166589/Sarah-Brown-introduces-cream-British-female-talent-Naomi-Campbell-Michelle-girls-night-in. html
nonpasserat? What are you on? Two rows of pearls for tea only, one pearl on a bit of string halfway up a tree at breakfast time? Cardigans are evil? No silk for day???! This is hilarious! Where on this good earth do all those mad rules still apply?!
Sorry Mrs T, that just got to me.
Kels, I am pretty sure I wrote nothing but polite comments, but seriously, let's agree to disagree, and not clog the comments with this stuff.
I haven't found a schedule, but I think today is their last day in London and they will be flying to France either tonight or tomorrow morning. And there is likely to be a final dinner tonight, so there should be an evening outfit.
Mrs. O comes back to the states on Sunday, I think.
I think this is Young, Whimsical and Fun! She stands out from the others wearing the standard spousal uniform.
Mrs. Brown is attractive and wears nice clothing. I think she just needs to wear a larger size.
Yeah, this is getting a little too hot. Why so fierce?
On another board I used to follow, they would say that if you've posted three times in a row saying the same thing, it's probably time to back away. For the people who don't like this outfit, I think that's coming through loud in clear. The people who do like it, ditto. Points have been made! Truce?
(I'm probably never going to be on board with those shoes, though. I'm just sayin! She could have gone with brown maybe, or black, or dark blue, but not so much teal. Unless this dress is much greener than I think it is, which could be so because my monitor sucks.)
Posh Tater, I am deeply wounded by your attack on argyle! LOL
I hope there is video of this soon:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8314680
Very sweet!
Christina! ROFLMAO!!!!!
And I must say also Michelle Hair looks great.
I just read this lovely piece at Political Punch all about Mrs. O's afternoon at an all-girls school. Michelle seems to have been really touched by the girls.
--------------------------------------------------
Who caused all the shrieking at the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language School in London today?
A surprise visit from English soccer star David Beckham? Pop boy band, the Jonas Brothers?
No, that was First Lady Michelle Obama sparking a frenzy at the all-girls school, where she spoke about the importance of education, explained why being smart is cool and even shared a little girl talk about her courtship with her husband, President Obama.
The school’s focus is teaching English as a primary language to underprivileged students in an impoverished area of London. It is named for the first female doctor in the United Kingdom and its buildings are named after famous women, including a Frida Kahlo arts building and an Emily Bronte building for English studies.
"This school is incredible and you should be very proud,” the first lady said.
As she has done with school students in Washington D.C., the first lady talked about her own experience growing up in a working-class Chicago neighborhood and the influence her family had on her upbringing.
"I am an example of what's possible when girls are loved and nurtured by the women around them,” she said.
Mrs. Obama emphasized the power of an education and said she was standing there today because of her education.
“By getting a good education you too can create your own destiny. I never cut class. I like being smart. I thought being smart was the coolest thing in the world,” she said. “You are the women that will build the world as it should be and that's why a good education is so important.”
The first lady appeared to get choked up when she told the students, “All of you are jewels you are precious and you touch my heart.”
Mrs. Obama even shared a little girl talk with the students, ranging in age from 11-17-years old, and told them about her first date with her husband. She said she thought Obama was cute and was inspired by him speaking to people at a community meeting in Chicago.
The first lady gloated a bit about her European trip agenda, compared to her husband’s. “My husband is going to be very jealous of how I spent my afternoon. He's off meeting important people but this is more fun,” she said.
The first lady by a student choir performing a number called, “Believe,” drama and modern dance performances and an explanation of the school’s leadership program.
The overall theme of the performances focused on achieving goals, overcoming setbacks and never giving up.
After her remarks, Mrs. Obama greeted the choir girls and gave them each a hug and was mobbed by students seated in the audience as she made her way to greet them. Throughout her visit, the girls cheered and clapped loudly for her and many wiped away tears.
Earlier the students buzzed with anticipation for the special surprise guest they were expecting. Not surprising, the rumor mill was in overdrive and many of the students thought it could be Mrs. Obama coming. The students let out a cheer and squeals when she finally arrived.
LOL Kels, I hear you and I feel your pain! This is Blog the version of "Fair and Balanced" when it comes to Michelle Obama (if you know what I mean).
I just happen to agree with you about the outfit too, Speedial Maria Pinto or that Ikra Goldman lady (FAST!)