Wednesday
Aug122009
Red Hot
Wednesday, August 12, 2009 at 9:56 PM 
Photo by Jim Young / Reuters
Later in the afternoon, the President and First Lady Mrs. O hosted the Medal of Freedom award ceremony at the White House. Gay rights leader Harvey Milk and tennis legend Billie Jean King were both honored.
For the event, Mrs. O wore a fitted red sheath dress with coordinating red belt. A stack of diamond bangles and black patent leather kitten heels completed the look.
We've had a glimpse of this dress once before, when Mrs. O was leaving Moscow, seen here.
Reader Comments (58)
Wow! This is one of her best looks ever! Gorgeous HOT color, perfect fit, LOVE the belt, Bangles, shoes, everything -- gorgeous RED lipstick. She is really looking fabulous recently.
Must add...the black/white dress is lovely (that she wore earlier) but too short --made her legs look heavy. Bodice pulled down by pin -- not good. Sweater too small...just not a pulled together together look (to me!) , not balanced.
She & Prez look so GREAT together! He wearing a matching red tie & smiling Yeah -- This is my wife!
Love everything about this look...the color and fit of the dress, her diamond bracelets give just enough sparkle, her hair is spot on and just a tint of red lipstick to finish it off. FABULOUS!!!!!
I love the red on red! The belt defines her waist without cutting the line of the sheath at all. And it's hard to believe that red could be outshone, but my eyes went straight to the bangles on her wrist! The whole look is divine, like a million bucks, and these are just really simple elements coming together perfectly to flatter the woman in them. Her body looks amazing.
This woman is amazing. When you consider the versatility of her style from morning to afternoon, in just one day, it is simply stunning. She pulls off two completely different styles with such class, she inspires me so.....
Red Hot Mama!! She looks fantastic. Loving the lipstick too.
We love our First Lady for she is beautiful inside and out and that is what we treasure about her!
Thumbs up, way up for this frock. She looks so good in bold colors. Simple and flawless.
This look is hot!
The red is incredible...but O michelle, we just HAVE to get you some red shoes!!
I am so glad we got to see this dress again after such a brief view on the last European summit. It is gorgeous and a perfect study in contrast from the morning look. Soft and sophisticated to taut and tailored. And the outfits are simple very easy to pull together from your own closet.
Those bangles, I gotta have!!! Also the contrast in makeup,watching the first lady is better than buying a fashion magazine...cheaper too!
I am not a huge fan of a lot of Michelle's belts, but this one is an A+++
Love the whole outfit.
Btw, here's a full list of the sixteen recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, in case anyone missed seeing the ceremony today.
* Nancy Goodman Brinker
* Pedro Jose Greer, Jr.
* Joanne Kemp, accepting award on behalf of her deceased husband, Jack Kemp
* Kara Kennedy, accepting award on behalf of her father, Senator Edward M. Kennedy
* Billie Jean King
* Reverend Joseph Lowery
* Joe Medicine Crow - High Bird
* Stuart Milk, accepting award on behalf of his deceased uncle, Harvey Milk
* Sandra Day O’Connor
* Sidney Poitier
* Chita Rivera
* Mary Robinson
* Janet Davison Rowley
* Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu
* Muhammad Yunus
* Stephen Hawking
Mrs O. should wear red more often. It's a fabulous color for her!
Thanks for the list, it's good to see everyone who was honoured. I'm particularly impressed that they honoured Harvey Milk and Joe Medicine Crow. All the others as well, just, those are my top picks.
Perfect outfit. Perfect, perfect outfit. Just love it. 10 out of 10, brilliant, amazing. Love.
They are beautiful. I hope people understand how fortunate we are to have them in the White House with their lovely family. Why isn't the press playing this up more? All they seem to write about are raving lunatics at health care forums! As usual, it's the people who would be helped the most by the changes who are ignorantly opposing them.
The dress is really nice.
Perfect! Love the color, the fit--everything! And even though I've rarely liked one of MO's belts, I like this one because the dress is fitted so that the belt fits smoothly and adds extra definition.
I also like those bracelets, and I love the fact that the only thing in the photo that's shining brighter than the bracelets is the gleam in the President's eyes!
How does she keep those shoes on her feet??!!?? They look like they are barely holding on...
This red dress is a perfect fit for our First Lady. And, of course, she is a perfect fit for our President. I smile every time I see them together.
Very nice, although I think a black or white belt (instead of the all red look) might have been cool.
SIREN ALERT - A temporary reprieve...
Just when I was beginning to get withdrawal symptoms and lackadaisical on my arm curls Mrs.O appears - twice in 1 day! Of course guilt and inspiration are now once again my driving force.
This dress is flattering in every way, and from the looks of Mrs.O in it I'd say she is looking fitter and hotter than ever! Her smile exudes warmth and she seems very relaxed and at ease with herself, with the President looking every part the doting husband.
Cheers!
SIREN Alert! A temporary reprieve.
Just when I was beginning to suffer withdrawal symptoms and a lackadaisical attitude towards my arm curls, enter Mrs.O - twice in 1 day! So, once again guilt and inspiration are now my driving force.
This dress flatters her body in every way, and from the looks of Mrs.O in it, she is looking fitter and hotter than ever! Her thighs and arms are looking really firm and strong. It's good to see her looking so happy, warm and content, with the President looking every bit the part of the doting husband.
Cheers!
RED HOT!!!
This is such a wonderful way to make a statement! :)
Admit it belt haters, this belt is HOT!!!!! Love this dress, and its in my favorite color!
Mrs. O looks Omazing!!! I love love this dress!!!
Mrs O looks FABULOUS! Absolutely perfect.
And not a caridigan in sight! Great look.
This dress is so perfect for Michelle - color, fit, length...
Fab, Fab, Fab!!! You cannot touch nature grace and style. Wow!!
Do we have ID on the dress yet?
As I recall the "belt haters" were down on those that were either wrong for the dress or ensemble, too gaudy, or positioned up under her bust.
This belt is perfect. Defines her natural waistline without cutting her in half. This dress may be one of the most elegant things she has worn yet. It flatters her and, although it is a bright color, it is rich-looking. She wears it; it does not wear her.
If you get a chance read the book Elegance. Written by a French woman who was in haut couture for many, many years. It dates back to the 60s, she is enchanted by Jackie Kennedy. A very interesting read. Some of it is dated, but the basics of elegance are still true.
Agree with the very first post: One of her very best looks! Simply beautiful.
Nice outfit. Mrs. Obama looks good in this simple-but-bold ensemble. Nice color, and the outfit is tailored to her figure. Even the high-waisted belt (which I normally can't stand when she does it) works here.
Re the interesting book I mentioned up the thread:
Elegance: A complete guide for every woman who wants to be well and properly dressed on all occasions
By Genevieve Antoine Dariaux
Originally published by Doubleday & Company in 1964.
I believe it has been republished in recent years with a slightly different title. This is the original and a classic. Some of it may make you smile, but this is about elegance. Not trendiness. Many of you will enjoy it. BTW, it is written in topical "chapters", from A to Z. Easy to read or browse.
Totally CHIC! Love it!
xoxo
Wow ~ she looks fab! This is one of her (many) best looks yet. Super smokin red hot. She should wear red more often, soooo classy.
Just found this site and I am in HEAVEN!!! Fabulous stuff. Mrs. O looks ravishing and chic with the red on red. Love the bracelets...top notch.
these are one of those moments where keeping it simple can really be effective. beautiful color, beautiful fit, beautiful jewelry. everything works for me.
Very "Jackie O"....this fitted sheath is the best cut for her figure. Love the color on her.
The belt works because it is the same color. Black would have killed it completely. Lovely look. Just lovely.
I want her arms!!!
perfect, they are perfect.
BeeGee,
Thank you! I agree that no one has ever hated belts in general. It was where they were worn, with what they were worn, and the mismatching of the belt to the ensemble. This belt works because it does go with the dress and is positioned to look attractive.
It'll be interesting to see if this belt is part of the dress design rather than an adjunct. The color and the fabric are such a perfect match...it certainly appears that way. If so, that's probably why this particular belt is eliciting so many positive reactions. It's in total harmony with the dress.
She rocks this look!!!
I have been reading the "belt" posts about this dress and the Jason Wu ensemble of the same day (I was surpised to see the JW was separates!). I really doubt we have seen the end of the contrasting belt look. I think it's down for a nap during the hot summer weather. But I predict it will rise again when the temps fall. Doesn't she have the same Aliia belt in white too? That one could show up any day.
But for the moment, I'm really enjoying this long drink of red, uninterrupted by a horizontal stripe of another color which would cut her in half. And, personally, I think red shoes with this would have been a disaster. That look died decades ago, except under the occasional bridesmaid's dress.
And they're off to Montana. http://www.daylife.com/photo/09dF51a7M86uX
Red shoes would have ruined it. I doubt she'd do the "matchy-matchy" thing. But having said that, shoes can make or break an outfit. Since Michelle so rarely carries a bag or clutch she could probably pump up her shoe wardrobe. If she's on her feet a lot, kitten heels work well. If anyone reading this has the FLOTUS' ear, Jessica Simpson's high heeled shoes are surprisingly comfortable for all-day wear and Cole Haan uses Nike Air technology in some of their shoe lines....I hear they make you feel like you're wearing sneakers all day.
She is simply AMAZING
I have loved this website ever since I found it and have enjoyed reading all the comments-mostly positive. Thanks for creating it. They are a wonderful couple. Seeing her in this red outfit today, I cannot help but join in because I love red , it is my favorite color.
She looks absolutely gorgeous. I have never seen her look so radiant and so beautiful . Red looks great on her. I hope she knows that and try to mix it up with some more red . Also as long as she keeps the belts on the real waist as in this picture she will be just fine.
Wow! what a gorgeous lady , she is beautiful inside and out! I love them both. May God bless them , their family and their work.
Peace & love to you all.
Ama
This outfit is perfect. There is nothing like a red dress!