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'm not talking about people who don't like the oufit but I'm really laughing at the people who think that Mrs Obama and Mrs Brown are inappropriate and how they should hide their bulges/hips. I would like to see some pictures of you- yes you know who you are! You should deal with your insecurities before projecting them on two highly intelligent ladies who are comfortable in their own skins.
Wow...I wonder why we only hear from you when you have disparaging comment about someone else. Sorry but that's no remedy to your self-esteem issues.
The more I look at this outfit the more I like it (EXCEPT that I do think it looks misbuttoned). I really like the pearls with it, and the green shoes are DA BOMB.
PLUS she just looks so darn good in anything, that height, skin color, and the beaming smile cannot be purchased at any price.
I am starting to think that Mrs O's more edgy outfits are an acquired taste. Did you like your first sip of coffee or first paragraph of Shakespeare? I think not.
She is very much mentally challenging me on these outfits, and that is something unique.
Go FLOTUS.
LADIES, SOMEBODY HELP ME!!
I'm looking all over the web trying to find pictures of the First Lady's outfits but I'm having no luck. I just happened to find this website yesterday because it was mentioned on one of the morning talk shows, but I would LOVE a list of websites that have PICTURES of Michelle's styles and fashion sense. If you know of any, please post a comment listing them.
Thanks!
Posh - I hate golf - I quit on the 8th hole 2 years ago and never looked back!
Your comment was great! Touche....
Allison, some of the outfits are an acquired taste. That's the great thing - FLOTUS keeps us on our toes. I never thought that I would love the 3 brooch look, but I adore it now.
When's the next change of clothes?
Agreed Edwina!
@ Edwina - YES YES, a thousand times YES! (3 "yeses" is my limit!)!
The sweater is hideous. Ruins a nice dress. She does need to stop slouching. She is tall and self possesed. She should exhibit a proud stance.
Also just so folks know who are talking about the sweater being buttoned incorrectly...It's an asymetrical sweater that is suppose to look that way.
Okay, I'm just going to say this but I know it won't do that much good. The sweater may LOOK misbuttoned, because it is intentionally made to be asymmetric. It is not ACTUALLY misbuttoned.
There's a case to be made for the actual attractiveness of the sweater itself. But Mrs. O. didn't actually mess up the buttoning.
Alicia, this site is great for at least one picture of all of Mrs. O's outfits for the past six months or so. For multiple pictures, I like news sites like Daylife dot com which has high quality pictures. However, they are updated in real time, so to find a specific outfit, you have to go back chronologically.
IMHO, Michelle is too tall and too old to "do cute." The AF1 and the yellow and black "Arriving In London" outfits were beautiful and elegant---just like Mrs. Obama. Mrs. O is a highly intelligent, erudite PROFESSIONAL woman.
Enough with the "cute", already!
Enough. Michelle represents this country better that quite a few first couples that have come before her and has helped really helped the rag industry. Just go to J. Crew and try to purchase the ivory sweater she wore yesterday. You can't. It sold out in one day. First, it was her arms that she was criticized for. Now you think she wears too many cardigans. When will you stop???????? In a time of economic distress when retail sales are down, I'm sure J.Crew appreciated the First Lady sporting one of their cardigans. In addition, check out the press in Europe. They appear to appreciate the job she's doing on the fashion end. Maybe Americans don't get it. I'd rather look at what she's wearing than most of the fashion I see on the regular person walking down the street everyday. Her style brings some light into the picture. Before we throw stones maybe we should ask ourselves if everyone in the world agrees with what we wear personally everyday when we step out of the house. Americans, WAKE UP use all the energy needed to make the negative statements to help solve some of our problems today. Pass on the surface stuff and look deeper at the realy problems. Maybe if we focused on the real issues we would have never gotten into the mess that our country is in. xoxoxo
@ Alicia, Mrs O is the best place to find Michelle's fashion, alternatively you can look at the fashionspot, or Zimbio.
Mrs T please upload the video of Mrs O visiting the girls school in London, she hi fived a little girl - its priceless.
Everyone has their individual tastes so it's okay if a particular outfit isn't your cup of tea, but let's keep it all in perspective. It's just fashion. To make character assasinations based upon what someone's individual style preference happens to be is just petty and juvenile. None of us would be able to select an outfit that would be universally loved by all - it's just impossible.
It's easy to be mean-spirited and negative sitting behind a computer. How many of us could withstand the scrutiny Mrs. O is under? I think some compassion and commonsense is in order. The First Lady is a grown-ass woman - more than capable of deciding and executing how she wishes to present herself to the world. She's not my or anyone else's personal Barbie doll.
All of this talk about what is "appropriate" is truly laughable considering how none of us has ever been First Lady. Until you've "been there and done that" all one can do is speculate about these things. Again, to those of you speaking with such authority on matters related to protocol and the like, you just come across as foolish and sanctimonious.
I don't love love love everything the First Lady wears, but so what - who am I? Mrs. O looks happy, comfortable, confident and polished - what else should matter? However, what I do LOVE LOVE LOVE about the First Lady is that she has no qualms expressing her individual sense of style - even if it happens to go against the grain. That's so very refreshing. Who says things have to be done as they've always been done or how one expects them to be done? Who makes up these silly little rules? And why must we follow them?
Last point -- Sarah Brown hasn't been photographed wearing the most flattering outfits for her body type these past couple of days, but so what? Does it really matter in the grand scheme of things? NOPE, not at all. Same goes for Mrs. O. It's fashion - not a matter of life or death.
Having just reviewed a slide show of Junya Watanabe's spring 2009 runway show, I sincerely hope that this controversial argyle sweater is her one and only Watanabe purchase.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2009RTW-JNWATNBE
Michael Scherer, the reporter that follows Michelle around to write "pool reports" for other news organizations chimed in about this outfit:
And because I know someone will ask, No, FLOTUS did not change her outfit from this morning. And it still, in your pooler's inexpert opinion, looked funky, oddly elegant and cool.
OK, I don't want to be too chatty but:
The other photos available on this outfit make it look very much better. It's a vibrant turqouisish blue, and the sleeve that is tucked behind the back of Mrs. Brown is also argyle patterned, to match the argyle sweater front.
AND that ribbon down the front is shiny or sequined.
Honestly I don't think this photo does it justice. This might be one of my favorite FLOTUS outfits, and for visiting school children it is even more brilliant.
Love both pieces...but think this is one of the least flattering looks I've seen on MO. Her hips look huge. The skirt is too full and the cardigan too long.
Have you guys read bonnie fuller post about michelle obama. She has just made me mad the ugly comments she made about michelle i told her she needed to calm down.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bonnie-fuller/michelle-obamas-first-fas_b_182362.html
ok, could be the hormones, but the video made me tear up! mrs. o. looks good, tho a lil bit hippy. fortunately, her greatest style assets remain her amazing smile and her genuine warmth. she looks good every day with those!
The cardigan isn't misbuttoned. All you have to do is look and see that there is only one button left with one slot at the bottom...
Help! what is the next stop on Mrs O's itinerary?
Luv the asymmetrical sweater! Kudos to Mrs. Obama for her fashion boldness!!!!
@me, well said! Even though this isn't my favorite look, I admire that she has her own style, she is not afraid of being herself and taking risks, which is very admirable.
My criticism is not for the ensemble but for the photographers and those that choose images for public consumption. The first images of this wonderfully fun outfit were ghastly . . . after watching the web all day (on coffee breaks, of course) and seeing other views of the dress and sweater, it is fantastic. And once again, the First Lady trumps us all as she looked perfect at the school function where she needed to be bright, vibrant, youthful and inspiring. Seems the stodgies just don't get it.
hmnn, weird... my comments got attributed to sierra up above at 2:53pm!
for the those who want to know, here's the link to the sweater. the color of Michelle's outfit is more complimentary to her shoes in the video.
http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/clothing/item10013720.aspx
This is a full skirt that looks really flattering on Michelle.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/barackobamadotcom/740526129/in/set-72157600649733274/
It has a wide band but the fullness of the skirt doesn't start until it hips her hip. It's almost like an A-line skirt posing as a full skirt. The difference on this teal skirt is the the fullness starts right on her upper waist, which is not good on most women or any woman who is not shaped like a little boy.
Jason Wu doesn't know how to do a full skirt for women with full hips. I think if the skirt were no puffier than this and the cardigan was simpler, the outfit wouldn't be as bad.
I think because he's such a young designer, and more importantly, because he's never actually fitted Mrs. Obama, his clothes don't look great on her, unless it's a basic sheath. I would really like to see her start wearing Maria Pinto again. She really understood Michelle's body, the clothes were simply beautiful, and she has a moderately priced line, no more expensive than Wu.
Does anyone have the full video link of her speech to the girls today? I need a longer pick me up.
I could do without the sweater. It's a little too bust. But I love the color and the dress.
I'm with the posters that like all the pieces...but not together. I think the green is "off," and the blues don't really come from the same shade/hue family.
I think, however, a slight change in proportion would have balanced it out. Change the dress to a blue shift dress, make the pumps into dark chocolate suede pumps, and button only the top button of the cardi, and let it sort of drape and flare out.
I think Mrs. Brown is indeed lovely (does she have a lovely daughter? Hee.). I think the jacket should have been one size larger, or it should have hit lower on the hipline, and that she should avoid fitted pencil skirts. I think something with an a-line or trumpet flare would be more flattering, and that kind of fabric is difficult for any gal to wear.
She looks great as always. I like the outfit (don't love it) and I also think the dress would look better without the cardigan. I bet the dress is sleeveless and of course she didn't want to be innapropriate since she was visiting those girls.
The video on the other hand is great. You can tell when people are real or not and Michelle Obama is no phony.
I'm enjoying this site immensely. I've not commented before.
I think Michelle chose this hip, artsy, querky sweater over a denim dress specifically to relate to and communicate with the young people she addressed today. It was absolutely perfect for them. Yeah Michelle! I love that she dressed out of her passion to relate to and encourage these kids, without regard for comments or approval from those judging her on style alone. This is real class, IMO. It seems to me that her day is dedicated to encouraging young people to be all that they can be, and her dress served her purpose.
Love Michelle, and her willingness to deliver her message in any way she can, regardless of what people will say about her "style". I thought this ensemble today was so perfect. The kids loved her.
Hey u guys tina brown from the daily beast is gonna be on cnn with wolf blitzer to talk about how michelle obama did in london. So if any of u get a chance to watch her can you guys give me a review about it because i have to take my daughter to a dance recital and i wont get back to later this evening
So, what's next for Mrs. O? It has been several hours since she met the kids. I am so hopeful that there will be a formal dinner tonight, where we can see this dress without the cardigan, and hopefully with an added brooch.
I don't know why - guess I'm easy - but I like this outfit too. It's different and quirky, and that's why I love it. I guess because I'm stuck wearing suits all day at work, and don't have the money to diversify my wardrobe, it's fun seeing Mrs. O change things up so much.
So, I appreciate her courage in style and in life.
I wanted to share this. Today when dressing for work, I was inspired by Mrs. O. I work in engineering so the dress code is super relaxed. But today, along with my favorite dark jeans, I chose a periwinkle-colored cardigan over a white tee. I buttoned the same two buttons Mrs. O always buttons and then pinned a gold butterfly brooch encrusted with purple gems to the top of the sweater. I took a strand of pearls and wound them around my wrist for a triple layer bracelet.
My outfit might not sound at all daring and certainly not fashion forward, but I usually dress on the plain side. So today I feel a tiny bit more adventurous and very pretty!
@sierra you can go to the Daily Beast there is already an article by Brown on Michelle and why the brits love her
Debra, that's sweet. A few months ago, I bought several brooches at H & M for the exact same reason! I really like anything that's quirky and I pinned them to my coat and enjoyed them all winter long.
I just noticed it's almost 10 in London, so I do believe we will not be seeing Mrs. O again until tomorrow when she will be traveling to France. I look forward to her traveling outfit since she seems to be all about looking snazzy while traveling.
that video makes me very weepy and i am so proud that mrs. o is our fist lady. she represents us beautifully.
taht video was short, sweet an touching. Although her words were very true - may favourite part was when she crouched down on the stage to touch and hug the kids...she is epitomy of respect! She is showing those young children that they deserve her time and respect! Way to go Lady O!
I have not read the comments on this article yet so I will probably be repeating others, but here is my opinion.
I do NOT like the sweater at all - it is nothing that I would have in my closet, but compared to the way that Sarah Brown is dressed Michelle looks wonderful (except for the shoe color does NOT compliment the outfit - also this). This would have been a good day for Michelle to have worn a lower heel. She towered over the other wives at the opera theater and most of those other wives were in either low heels or flats.
Sarah Brown looked dreadful in her dress! It looked like someone painted it on her and it showed every flaw of her figure. And why on earth she wore those purple shoes with a blue dress is beyond me - and those black hose must go!
hey mrs. t,
seems that comment attributions are quite mixed up. so far, my comments have come up under sierra and a canadian! i'm glenise... curious to see how this one gets attributed :)
love mrs. o!
happy thursday,
glenise
also did anybody find out where to get this cardigan?
i missed the one yesterday procrastinating with should i? or shouldn't i? but i really really want this one.
Her traveling outfits have been on point. Bold and impeccably tailored. Now for the rest of the trip, I'm hoping for less cardigans, more dusters. I really LOVE yellow dress and black duster look. I like the combination if bright dress and structured dark colored duster. That was impeccable. Also, for a hair change, I would like to see her hair curled up like it was for the Stevie Wonder tribute.
Even thought I think Michelle and the glam squad dropped the ball with the last two outfits, I'm going to try not to be scared for the rest of the trip. Cause it can't get worse than a cardigan with wonky buttons and a prom skirt!
Tears! I am so proud of our FLOTUS! What a wonderful and beautiful woman!
I loved her outfit today! Love the sweater! Love the dress!
Someone uplist said it best: Mrs. Obama is too old and too tall to do "cute." She is tall, she is striking, she will command attention no matter WHAT she wears--so why does she slump, wear flat shoes, and dress like a kewpie doll? Her dramatic solid sheaths with striking jewelry are much more flattering than this cutsie-poo sweater and pleated skirt thing.
Does anyone know if she'll be visiting schools in Paris. Carla Bruni is not known to get out amongst the people. She's more like Jackie in that way. I like Jackie Kennedy and everything, but I'm sorry, she was not real and downhome like Michelle, and neither is Carla. I think Michelle and Sarah Brown are more alike, even though Michelle is far more attractive and stylish. They're both educated career women from regular backgrounds and involved in the community. I bet those poor school kids are just starved for attention. If she got mobbed by the school girls in London just wait until she goes to the Paris suburbs! Michelle-mania will break out!