Monday
Jan042010
A Stroll Through the Honolulu Zoo
Monday, January 4, 2010 at 10:37 AM 
Photo by Kent Nishimura / Getty Images
Before boarding Air Force One to return to Washington, D.C. last evening, the first family enjoyed a tour of the Honolulu Zoo as their vacation in Hawaii came to a close. First Lady Mrs. O dressed in a vibrant blue shirt dress for the visit.
Update #1: Mrs. O wears a blue cotton poplin shirtdress from Narciso Rodriguez's Resort 2010 collection.
Update #2: Despite mixed opinions in the comments section, I wanted to note that Vogue.com has named Mrs. O the best dressed of the week for this Narciso Rodriguez number, writing of the first lady and her best-dressed company: "It seems there is no particular dress code for these adventurous, fiercely fashionable women." Click here for more.
tagged Narciso Rodriguez
Narciso Rodriguez
Reader Comments (111)
Oh, I like that simple blue dress on her. So fresh! She looks comfortable and natural.
Michelle looks like she is wearing a hospital workers dress :( However, she is on vacation and mostly like could careless what others thing at this point.
Mrs. O is has a nice tan to take back to DC, it looks good with the color. Not really feeling the dress but she is on vacation and trying to look perfect all the time can be a job.
Mrs. T, Thanks for this picture, nice to share a part of their vacation.
Great holliday dress, no fuss no muss. Another great choice Mrs. O. A dress
that flatters her figure, stunning colour, comfortable, cool. This dress
shows us how to be fashionable, summery, without using
accessories. I love the style for my figure, I'm reminded that I should
travel light. They all look relaxed, down-to-earth and happy. Great family
picture.
@Tia
One thing I've noticed about Mrs. O simpler attire is that it often has some cool details on it that you wouldn't notice unless you were very close to her. I think the white dress she wore to visit Marines in Hawaii is an example of this. So I would't be too quick to dismiss this as a "hospital worker's dress" -- though if she wanted to dress simply and casually for a trip to the zoo, that's okay too.
I'd love to see a bit of color on Mr. O! But I'm guessing, like many men, he has a comfort zone and black/olive/gray/navy feel "safe."
Cute !
I guess I find the President so handsome I never thought to critique his clothes! I always found his dark polo and casual shirts masculine and effortlessly cool, especially paired with his sunglasses. Those sunglasses are definitely cool! I've heard that he doesn't care a thing about fashion, so, as Christina says, he probably sticks with what he's comfortable with.
More seriously, President Obama is so youthful looking (a friend of mine met him during the campaign and at first mistook him for a college student) that perhaps the dark colors help give him an aura of gravitas.
What a lovely family! They all look so cute and happy.
Since 2 people already brought it up, I'll admit I groaned when I saw Mr. Pres. in another blah dark polo. Why didn't somebody give him a colorful shirt for Christmas and jokingly suggest that when in the tropics, lose the New Yorker look. Oh well, you're right he IS a man after all.....
NICE DRESS HER SHOES WAS FLAT AND SHE DIDNT CHAGE WHEN MRS O WAS LEAVING MR O CGANE HIS SHIRT LEAVING THEY DIDNT SHOW THE KIDS LEAVING WITH THEM AM SURE THAT THAT THEY WILL SHOW ALL OF THEM COMING BACK HOME WEARRING WARM CLOTHES AND OF COUSE COATS. AND BOOTS DONT KNOW ABOUT MR O WEARRING BOOTS HE ALWAYS WEAR HIS SHOES BUT NOT ON VAC HE WEAR SANDLES SOMETIME SHOES.
Michelle, Malia and Sasha look so tanned. Sorry Mr. O didn't have time for a tan. He had vacation-interruptus. He deserves a REAL break.
Lovely family. Casual attire - so relaxed, natural, appropriate, one-of-us kind of feeling.
It sure must be hard to be yourself and have some down time without the critics all up in ta face about everything Mrs O wears. Looks like something a "real" woman would wear. I know I would
For Gods sake they are on vacation and she deserve a break, love the dress maybe something from the GAP?
Beautiful family and i just love 'em.........The girls are so adorable......Malia is 11 and almost as tall as her mother. Sasha is just so cute with her "chubby cheeks"
I think the look is perfect for a trip to the zoo. I must confess that I am getting tired of the pulled-back hair. I loved it down, and although I am sure the pulled back 'do' is easier, I long for the look she had on Iron Chef last night and in some of Mrs. T's "best of 2009" photos.
THE FIRST FAMILY LOOKS GREAT TOGETHER I WISH THE PRESIDENT COULD HAVE GOT MORE
REST ON VACATION. I AM GLAD HE GOT A CHANCE TO BE WITHH HIS GIRLS INCLUDING THE FLOTUS. BEST WISHES MR PRESIDENT IN 2010 THIS COUNTRY WILL NEED ALL OF YOUR STRENGTH. FLOTUS KEEP THE PRESIDENT SAFE AND HAPPY BECAUSE HE WILL NEED IT.
Love the dress! Can't wait to see who it is made by! Hope its something I can afford! LOL!!
What a winsome family portrait. And all the more so for being unposed.
If you don't think she's a fashion icon, that's fine. I agree with you. But if that's the way you feel, why criticize her as if she *is* a fashion icon? If she's just a regular lady who happens to be married to the president (which is cool enough) then it shouldn't matter that she is wearing an "ugly" dress or doesn't style her hair "properly." (Whatever the heck "properly" means to you.)
She's just a woman out for a walk with her children and husband, not someone on the catwalk. She's not dressing for us. She's dressing for herself.
I certainly understand better now why Mrs. T generally chooses not to post vacation photos. I think that for some, it's hard to distinguish between the private Mrs. O and the public Mrs. O.
@nic john,
I agree with most of your comments but also think that she's on vacation and getting her hair done is probably not part of the agenda.
I am concerned about the hospital blue dress, but again she's on vacation and it looks really comfortable.
But I must say, she has the best accessories - her husband and children are gorgeous !
This is a lovely vacation picture of a lovely family. What I always find adorable is how they're usually touching one another. They hold hands or keep a physical connection with each other even when not posing for a shot. Haven't you noticed that the girls are often within arm's reach of each other? This shows a closeness and fondness for one another. They truly compliment one another. I hope they had an enjoyable vacation and that we all have a prosperous New Year!
Everyone looks so cool and comfortable. Really cute dress on our First Lady. Mr. President is always so handsome, whenever there's a glimpse of him in casual wear. I hoped they had a chance to relax as a family.
Have you noticed on this site men seem to be harder on Michelle than we women are?
I think she appeals to women in a way she doesn't to a lot of men, or we feel like we "get" her in a way men don't.
Can't believe people are saying such negative things. Her hair is in a ponytail, I'm sure you have heard of a ponytail. The dress is cute (vibrant color) and comfortable. She is on vacation and do not have to wear Jason Wu or maria Pinto everyday so everyone can approve of how she looks. I thinks she looks good, she looks like a woman on vacation with her family.
It seems some people are throwing jabs at her and drewling over her husband, is it that you want her husband and there is a bit of jealously.
Let's get it together people. I think Mrs. T started this site to have honest dialog about Mrs. O fashion, but I don't think she intends for people to be cruel.
The woman can't even spend a couple hours in the zoo with her family without being accused of an ugly dress and a big head.
And I like her hair pulled back or up rather than down.
Here is the back of her hair at the Toys for Tots event last month. Anyone who sees this should have no questions about why her hair is not down around her chin or longer. It is rather short and different lengths. Appears to be healing:
http://images.huffingtonpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/4097/slide_4097_57254_large.jpg
I think **SOME** men label Mrs Obama as unattractive, because she represents a darker skinned African American that the MEDIA oft labels - unattractive. Its sad, and it's sad because as African Americans, many of us will instantly dismiss one another because our skin is darker. So what if Mrs Obama isn't SOME man's ideal of a beautiful black woman.
She - is - beautiful.
...and since when is a ponytail a crime on vacation? LOL I tell my husband that I hope Pres Obama does not run for a 2nd term ... not because I don't love him as my president - but because of the unfair pressure and expectations on not just him - but his entire family!
Anyhow ... I think the dress is perfect for an outing to the zoo - considering she probably wanted to throw on a pair of shorts!!LOL
...and to the men that constantly criticize her...how about being happy with the woman by your own side and leaving Mrs O alone. After-all ...she hooked the President, and he often says how lucky HE IS to have HER. (wink)
@ Chrystelle I totally agree.
@ Nic John I think alot off men and women have a distorted view of what beauty is. I know women and girls of all races love Mrs. O, but the is a special pride for african american women. For so long we have been lead to believe by the fashion world, magazines, and music videos that we are not beautiful. You have to have long flowing hair, light skin, or look very exotic. I think women of all colors and shapes are beautiful, but people alot of people expecially men do not. I love Mrs. O image because she is beautiful, besides her height, she is average who carries herself very well. Her shape is incredible, i might add.
I remember as a young woman growing up, being reduced to tears by "friends" and sometimes family members who saw fit to criticise my clothes, hair, pre menstrual pot belly etc etc without a care in the world. I so wish I had Michelle's confidence. I love this woman. She wears her hair for herself not for our sport and she dresses for herself. This is the #1 reason why I am a huge Michelle Obama fan because even before she became first lady she was an inspiration to a lot of people.
I have visited a lot of black websites and read ignorant comments from black men and women. I say (as a black woman) that although these people may have been released from the physical bonds of slavery, mentally those chains are as tight as ever. They need to emancipate themselves from mental slavery. If her head is big or if she isn't cute in their eyes, let her be an inspiration to big headed ugly women around the world who are bullied, conditioned and teased to believe that they won't amount to anything because of society's prejudices.
@ Nic John... Don't say alot of men... I beg to differ alot of black men find her attractive. To majority of the rest of the population a fair skin lady is beautiful. But sorry to black men like a woman with curves and a nice shape to her is a attractive.
All she needs to care about Obama loves her, chased her and got her. So all this talk about attractiveness or not is mute. It seems to me some here cannot accept the fact someone that does not look like them is might be considered attractive i.e. not light skinned. For the billions of people of color from Africa to Brazil, thanks Mrs O she look attractive and thanks for breaking the mode that beauty is some fair skin creature but rather comes in different forms.
So when you say Men please define who you are talking about? Don't tell me many men
@ Patient I couldnt agree with you more, except for the 2nd term. It is really said how distorted alot of people minds are when it comes to beauty. Mr. O lets everyone know how happy he is with Mrs. O. (wink wink). The way he looks at her, makes me proud. We have a President who isn't with his wife to further his career or make himself look good, it's not a political marriage, they love each other and he didn't feel the need to marry someone who represents that distorted view of whats beautiful. He married a beautiful woman who he seems to love and respect very much, and thinks is HOT!
Any photos of the rear of her dress?
@BeeGee re:toys for tots photo
I hope you also noticed that her hair is curled tighter than what she normally wears. Outside of the Stevie Wonder appearance at the WH earlier this year, she has usually worn her hair in a sleeker-straighter style rather than curls. What you are seeing and labeling as damage could very well be the wispy ends of sections of her hair that missed the curling iron. Just another point of view about what you seem to adamantly present as positive proof of her hair damage.
@Asereht - yep. I think many people need to learn about diff cultures and how the hair, skin, etc is diff. Mrs O's hair is LAYERED, so of course when her hair is pulled back - you will see the ends of her hair. Doesn't mean it is damaged.
Here's a link with a few of the outfits Michelle wore on the Hawaiian vacation:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/04/michelle-obamas-hawaiian_n_410205.html
Getting a little to catty in here ladies and gents (if there are any).
@ Patient I agree with your last post as well, her hair looks very healthy to me!
Thanks Mrs. T for this forum.
More pics on gettyimages.com, love the color
People will remain people,
We cant please everyone. Dont care what u do, people will always criticise.
When we cannot get the grape, we say it is sour.
Michele is just fabulous, a fabulous black woman, and I wish could find a husband a fraction of the President.
@ Juliede, I agree with your last comment, I do like her hair pulled up and or back, especially the State Dinner (welcoming the Indian PM) updo, it was classic but fresh and young. I don't know anyone who is going to pay a hairdresser to style their hair to go to the zoo or when they're on family vacation in hawaii, and there not attending a big event. Nope, a ponytail will do. You can tell she takes care of her hair.
The media made her a fashion icon, we as the public made her a fashion icon, she didn't ask for it. She just so happens to like clothes and wears them well, and people took notice.
What a lovely picture. I am sure that the trip to the zoo was a wonderful ending to a wonderful trip. Too bad the Pres. didn't get more of a break.
One thing that all the O's have taught me is that clothes are ment for you to have fun with. They always look like thier style is effortless and comfy.
Happy New Year to everyone!
I like the color and fit of this dress. As a mother of two, I find Michelle an inspiration fashion wise as well as in intelligence. I think people who don't like Michelle's fashion have a problem with how accessible her look is. " How can something be fashionable if anyone can attain the look."
I love her look, I love this site, and I will buy the next book from Mrs T.
I for the life of me do not know why anyone who does not like the first ladies style and thinks her head is big would bother to come to this site?
Anyway I look forward to coming here everyday.
Happy New Years Ladies!
@ trinisamba They have a right to their opinion, I absolutely do not agree, but they have a right. Just leave it alone. Seriously! LOL
Sasha is so cute, it seems sometimes she tries to dress like her mom, it's so cute. She is so bubbly. Maliah is really springing up, both are cute girls. Mrs. O has done a great job raising them to be respectful young ladies
The eldest daughter is nearly as tall as Michelle and she's barely a teenager. I can't wait to see how tall she ends up being.
LOL people, Nic John is a paid operative!!!
There are a ton of them on this site. They are paid to invade sites such as this to wreak havoc.
Some have insinuated themselves into the group over time by sometimes throwing in a few niceties just to confuse and then proceed to bash and demean Mrs Obama and the President all under the guise of critiquing fashion.
You will recognise quite a few of them under several identities and try as they may, they are not quite as slick as they think they are. We see them for what they are - Losers.
God bless our brilliant and wonderful President and our amazing First Lady!!! Shalom.
Im not loving this dress but i love Mrs O and she can wear whatever she likes
Getty images has a pic of the prez's hand on her butt and he has a smirk on his face(: They are soo cute!!
Every First Lady comes under a lot of scrutiny for her fashion choices. I suppose it's part of being in the public eye purely due to her husband's position. I admire Mrs. O for wearing what she wants, when she wants, and damn the torpedos. This is somebody who knows who she is and always shows good judgment, in my opinion. When she can have fun with her fashion, she does; when she needs to dress formally and/or conservatively, she does; and when she's on her downtime, it shouldn't matter what she wears.
I think this dress is attractive and appropriate for this occasion, which is a casual vacation stroll through the zoo with her family, not a state dinner, funeral or public policy speech. It's too bad she probably no longer feels comfortable wearing shorts out in public after all the flak she got about that.
*rolling eyes and sighing* Oh wow I promised myself I would not comment, but here's goes nothing LOL.
@Nic Jon I agree with you about there being many people who are sacrifcing their health to achieve darker skin, but this has nothing to do with Michelle because she already has naturally beautiful dark skin.
I disagree however with your asserton that Michelle does not have taste in clothing because her background is not similar to Princess Diana and Carla Bruni. Not sure if you're from NYC, Chicago or not, but should you ever visit please pay close attention to style of the "Urban Butterflies". Their fashion sense is often mimicked , imitated , but never EVER duplicated on the runways. Michelle has a rich avant garde fashion style, too bad your insecurity and jealousy is blinding your judgement.
So please, next time do a little research before making blanket statements.
@Mrs. T sorry, but I just had to get that one out.
It is really bugging me that she has her hair up all the time. Looking back, the last time it was down was Nov. 5th. I don't get it? Maybe she plans on cutting it short so she's getting used to that (and, I guess, getting us used to it too?)
Can someone tell me if Mrs. Obama is as short-waisted as all of her clothes make her look?
The way so many of her dresses, belts, etc. sit up right under her bustline is the only
thing I dislike about her look, but maybe it's not the clothes but her dimensions???
Who died and made Nic John king?
Sorry.... I guess I'm just a crazy person who sees a lovely woman in a very sweet bright sundress enjoying a visit to the zoo with her family. That is all. She looks so relaxed and refreshed!
It's not that I don't think Mrs. O is special -- I do -- it's that beach vacation pix are a whole 'nother kettle of fish. She's a real person who is (so to speak) letting her hair down.
We should celebrate that and, I guess we now know why they chose to visit the beach out of sight.
It is interesting to me, I think I finally realized today that maybe Mrs O is having a bad effect on how I view Mrs O.
Not so much when it comes to admiring her great fashion sense.
But when it comes to the labels of what she wears.
The bottom line is I have no right to even care about how much her clothes cost.
I get there people contrast her more expensive items with the more moderately price J Crew stuff, but it hit me today looking at the shirtdress that I was admiring it before update of being a Rodriguez, after that I started to think "Wow...That's expensive...For a cotton dress?"
Then it hit me that it doesn't matter what Mrs O spends her well earned money on, and perhaps me always seeing who designed what isn't as important as just looking at how she puts looks together and uses colors to display a unique individual flair.
I just read some of the posts saying Mrs. O is not a fashion icon. If she isn't, then why do the clothes she wears sell out so fast???? Why have J. Crew sales gone up since she has been pictured in their clothing? Why are designers like Jason Wu, Isabel Toledo, Thakoon, ect, ect... now on everyone's radar?? Guess you guys aren't true Fashionistas! Mrs. O is a fashion icon, or this website wouldn't exist. Thank you Mrs. O creators for the creation of this site, so us TRUE fashionistas can know what our FLOTUS is wearing!
I LOVE what he's wearing--love that combination and style--perfect for his age and position...