Tuesday
Jun162009
Hot Pink for Volunteerism
Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at 8:01 PM 
Photo by Jonathan Ernst
Tuesday was a full day for the First Lady. Before her gardening duties, Mrs. O spoke at an awards ceremony for Greater DC Cares, the largest coordinator of volunteerism in the Washington, DC area.
For the event Mrs. O wore a black and white textured jacket over a hot pink shell. The jacket and top were paired with a Sonia Rykiel belt, which featured a coordinating hot pink buckle. (We have an idea about the jacket but want to confirm details first...) Update: Mrs. O wears the Bowtie Tweed cardigan jacket from the Thakoon Resort 2009 collection.
tagged Sonia Rykiel, Thakoon
Sonia Rykiel, Thakoon
Reader Comments (58)
I just bought the same combination! After years of oh hum dressing Mrs O had brought out my imagination again. I don't want to imitate her. I do want to try new things. Wonder if others feel the same.
Shelly
The cut of this jacket is very flattering. The idea of a clear belt is fun, because we can see that great texture unbroken.
I love the purples, mauves, roses, and pinks as blouses on Mrs. O.
I love her style!!!
Pink, Purple and Mauve suite her well. I have to say that she has just been lit like a x-mas tree lately and I love it. She's truly joyous and loving her role as First Lady. I commend her on a job well done. I always look forward to seeing what she's up to next. She's never dull and always interesting.
I love her style...but most of all I really love that shade of lipstick she wears....does anyone know if its MAC and what shade?
I adore this look! The hair and the make up are both flawless and I love the contrast between the hot pink and the black/white jacket. As someone who loves jackets/blazers, I wish Mrs.O would wear them more often. However, I do realize that cardigans are more her speed.
BTW, Mrs T. the new site is wonderful.
The jacket fabric really reminds me of the Thakoon suit Mrs. O wore on her European trip. Could he be the designer? It's absolutely gorgeous. I just noticed the very subtle pleating detailing around the neckline.
Someone in the other thread said this look is a little 80's. I can totally see that--it's very much like the 80's powersuits. It's maybe a little costumy but, as someone who does indeed own at least one jacket with shoulder pads, I actually like that look. And, though still no fan of belts, I like this clear belt much, much more than the chunky belts Mrs. O usually prefers.
Over all, probably my favorite day-time look she has worn in weeks. Brava Mrs. O!
Thanks for all the updates this evening Mrs. T!! My head is spinning!
What an amazing way to brighten up a lassic tweed!
She looks great.
Regarding her lipstick -- I remember reading somewhere that a lot of makeup artists use their own mixes with their clients, that could be combinations of two or more shades. But if any company is going to have something like this, it would be MAC. A new store opened in a mall near my home, and when I was browsing I was just amazed at all the colors and how they accommodate many different skin tones. Just a little unsolicited plug.
This is a great look! Yesterday she had the classic, elegant soft summery look, today, the power dressing reflected in the b/w houndstooth of the jacket, the slightly edgy belt, the wow pop of color. I would guess she wore this with black slacks or skirt?
Anyway, point is, I have thought her professional outfits (appearances with professional/working groups, including govt agencies, the families/work group, etc) have been too casual and non-working wardrobe in the past. This is a great look, just perfect. It's not a suit, but has a crisp edge to it being a jacket rather than cardigan. The fabric is workwear and the cut simple but softened a bit with the lovely soft color & fabric of blouse. This whole pink thru purple palette is fabulous on her! No necklace, simple studs -- again a professional look!
Hair - perfect! love the lipstick! Her skin is so gorgeous!
I love everything about Michelle's look today. The material in the jacket is very unusual and I love the clear belt. She has such a wonderful smile and she seems so relaxed and warm. It's great to see that she is getting awards and so much attention.
I loved the fact that she relaxed a little last week and wore her hair back. It worked for her and we, as women, should be the first to know that the hair can't be perfect every day. She has figured out a way to make her hair work with the pony tails, the straight back look and the look she is wearing today. My favorite style is today's style but I can handle the other styles too. I can't say enough about how proud she makes me. She is a special first lady with so much class and charisma. Watching the three generations of ladies and little ladies in the White House is also a personal pleasure.
Vacation did her well. Another ball out of the park. Her hair is lovely as well!!
I've gotten out of my pantsuits and into more dresses, skirts and blouses since following this site. Thanks for all the inspiring fashion ideas.
lookin awesome!
the jacket is thakoon.
Black, white, and pink is one of my favorite combinations. It's chic no matter how you wear it. That round neckline with a structures shoulder is perfect for her frame.
The hair is on point, as usual. And her makeup has to be custom made for her. I'm certain her makeup artist mixes shades to get her exact color. It's so seamless and sheer it doesn't even look like she's wearing foundation. That's not over the counter makeup!
Lady Michelle is so pretty. She can rock pink like no other.
This is a great look and Mrs. O is simply radiant! I love the idea of the clear belt because it defines her waistline without taking away from the outfit. Fabulous! I think this is the belt (or similar to) the one worn on the cover of 'O' magazine a few months back.
That jacket is THAKOON!
Mrs. O look great, well rested and pretty. I love her hair
Gergous combination!Excellent choice. The make up artists have done a perfect job. Beautifull hair style!!
I am willing to buy that lipstick, does anyone have an idea?
Bravo Mrs O and to her staff as well!
I just love her, she is stunning in this photo, and most of the others. The Obamas have done America proud!!!!!
Great look for her - especially the clear belt. Nice pop of color with the buckle.
Several people have said they'd like to see MO in more structured jackets and/or suits. I can barely imagine her in a true blazer (I think I remember one in the past), but she wears jackets like this perfectly. I think this outfit is a great example of how you can take a pretty basic jacket silhouette and make it something entirely your own. I suspect she's wearing a solid black skirt or slacks on the bottom. IMHO, suits - by which I mean jackets and skirts/slacks which match - can look a little dated these days, outside of the most formal business environment. I don't see her daytime life as that kind of environment - she spends a lot of time with kids, people in the arts, military families. I think she's got it right to keep it a little softer - she's famous for her warmth and ability to connect with everyone, and this look reflects that.
Them's my 2 cents.
I wonder what the designers that Mrs. O wears think about the way she combines items by different people such as the Kors/Rodriguez/Givenchy ensemble she wore on D-Day and her insistence on adding elements (such as belts and cardigans) that weren't part of their designs. The belts often dramatically alter the line of the garment as originally created. If I were Thakoon and saw this belt on my jacket, I'd be gnashing my teeth.
Oh this is just fabulous. And Mrs O looks radiant! I love it.
Love the jacket, but I swear to god I'm going to raid her closet and throw away all those belts! It ruins the line.
@Shelly I do feel the same way. Amazingly, I was wearing a similar outfit when I logged on and saw this picture. I have a jacket with a similar pattern and a hot pink shell. I do love the belt also. This outfit is somewhat generic so alot of women will have something quite similar. I wish I had that belt. It's my favorite part of this outfit. Michelle looks lovely.
Mrs. O and I are both " mocha ". Until I started seeing how pretty Mrs. O looks in her purples and mauves, I have avoided both colors (although I do wear a lot of pink or white and am always complimented whenever I wear either color) because I thought that I couldn't " do " the purple palette.
Mrs. O has given me the inspiration to try wearing brighter colors, especially those in the purple palette.
Has someone found a source for a full length picture of this ensemble? I'm interested in taking in the full effect but I'm too lazy to look!
The fabric of this jacket reminds me of the fabric of the sheath dress she wore during the Barbara Walters interview special. Was that a Thakoon dress too? I've forgotten...maybe it's back in the board archives.
Hyde Parker, I'm with you on the belt. I also think the plastic cheapens the otherwise beautiful outfit. The belt buckle does not really match the blouse...it is more of a purple shade. I hope Mrs. O. realizes soon that most of her great outfits do not need the belts!
Make-up and hair are flawless !
I like the jacket too - can we just have a day with no belt?
Any photos of the complete outfit?
@Christina...it was a Jason Wu dress
I like the combination of b/w with purples and pinks.
I have not seen this photograph around here. I think its lovely in many ways http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Michelle_obama_and_carla_bruni_sarkozy.jpg
I think this photograph with Carla Bruni is spectacular in many ways including the moment, the dress, the surrounds.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Michelle_obama_and_carla_bruni_sarkozy.jpg
Where is the comment that I posted earlier this afternoon? I am sure that dissenting opinions are still allowed, right?
Ruth Leslie, I used to have a belt like that, back in the early 90's but my 25 year old daughter took it and I want it back!!
Shelly
Christen, I see a post by you right under my own.
Thanks for reminding me that the Barbara Walters dress was Jason Wu. And, I like this belt, I think it's wacky-cool, but I don't like this belt with this outfit.
More photos from the event - some pics show she was wearing a black skirt
http://view.picapp.com/default.aspx?term=*&iid=4993648
http://bwuphoto.com/blog/?p=127
This is a great color combo.. I only wish the jacket buttoned or hooked at the top so that it wouldn't hang around the neckline the way it does. I saw a profile pic that showed the whole outfit. I have to agree....Mrs. O, can we just lose the belts? Make something else your "signature"....it used to be the pins and brooches.
Mrs. O. has long arms, like me. I look best in 3/4 length sleeves when it comes to structured jackets as I think she does, too.
Her skin looks amazing! Loving the rosy mauve lip!
Love the jacket, hair and make up is stunning, but...NO MORE BELTS!
i once saw a pic of the prez hugging Michelle around the waist, the exact same spot it seems where she wears those belts.
Here's hoping she continues to wear clothes she paid for with her money, exactly as she pleases!
And here's hoping too that she continues to wear belts how she wants to, where she wants to, for as long as she loves them and feels like it...
Don't love it?! Close your eyes or look away - no biggie...
Bravo Mrs Obama! Do your thing!
"Here's hoping she continues to wear clothes she paid for with her money, exactly as she pleases!
And here's hoping too that she continues to wear belts how she wants to, where she wants to, for as long as she loves them and feels like it..."
Hear, hear!
Lol Audrey...you goddess of wisdom and good sense - continue to speak truth to goodness...
For those inquiring about Mrs O's lipstick, I understand she is a huge Bobbi Brown fan and has used her make-up for years - so that may be a good place to look.
JRG wondered earlier what the various designers of her outfits think of her combining their pieces with others in ways they never envisioned or intended. I worked with a couple of designers in an earlier life and I can tell you that, yes, it can be, um, disheartening - even alarming and depressing - when someone shows up looking truly weird and unsuitable. But I doubt most (if any) of the designers MO is wearing feel this is the case with her. It may not be their vision (or ours), but she has such confidence and continuity in her look that it's hard to argue with her choices. I mean, I didn't love the London Flower Power outfit, and I didn't think she was the ideal person to pull it off, but I totally understood how it got put together that way.
Also, it's worth remembering that she has made some of these designers household words at a time when they might well have had to close their doors otherwise. So, maybe we don't love it all, but there is a lot to be said for what she is doing for the industry overall.
Like so many people on this site, I am always struck by how perfect her make up is when it's done by a pro for an event at which there will be lights and cameras. I think she probably has really good skin to start with, but I'd also bet her foundation is sprayed on - I don't know how else it could look so even.
Eleroy, I read this on ChicagoTribune.com today. It was an article about her eyebrows, but this is what they said about her lipstick: "she let slip that for Obama's often-admired lip color, she wields a variety of M.A.C. lip pencils—one darker, one light—plus lipstick and gloss, which Grimes-Myles custom-mixes."
I love Audrey comments too!
Certainly Audrey has every right to voice her opinion but so do I, and in my opinion, Mrs. O should lose the belts.