Black and White, Florals and Polka Dots
Monday, July 12, 2010 at 6:07 PM 
Image by Ed Zurga / AP Photo
Images by Ric Feld / AP Images
Images by Bruce Weaver / Getty Images
What a jam-packed day for the first lady! This morning, First Lady Mrs. O spoke at the the 101st annual NAACP convention in Kansas City, Missouri, focusing on her Let's Move! initiative. For the event, Mrs. O wore a black and white polka dot ensemble -- the top, featuring sheer sleeves, was an inverse print of the coordinating skirt. Both pieces are by Jason Wu.
Update: Mrs. O accessorized her first ensemble of the day with a pair of stunning Mary Esses earrings. Hand-set in 18k yellow gold, the earrings feature dangling, pear-shaped, deep green quartz stones, accented with bezel-set diamonds and baguettes of pale green beryl. A close-up of the earrings is featured below.
Later in the day, Mrs. O ventured south to Panama City Beach, Florida, where she met business and tourism leaders to discuss how the Gulf oil spill has impacted the region. For this appearance, Mrs. O changed into a black blue and white floral top and pants. The drawstring top is from the Thakoon Pre-Spring 2010 collection.
Image courtesy of Elaneta
Jason Wu, Mary Esses, Thakoon
Reader Comments (58)
gorgeous!!!
I love both outfits. The black and white outfit in Florida was a top and pants. Here is a link of Mrs.O on the beach.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/Michelle-Obama/ss/events/pl/050108michelleobama
Looks like a good sized crowd of people in swimsuits on Panama City Beach. Good to know that people are still going to the beach in spite of everything that has happened.
Love Michelle's polka dot dress, it is so fresh and summery. For that matter, all of her outfits this summer have been right on.
So glad you are back, Mrs. T, and we can get our timely Mrs. O photos from our favorite source! She looks glamorous as always. Love the polka dots!
I am so proud of our lovely First Lady. Her speech in Kansas City was great. She looked wonderful in both outfits.
Welcome back Mrs....should we still call you Mrs. T?
Okay, I swear I'm not trying to cause a commotion, but the first thing I thought when I saw Michelle's Florida outfit is, "yikes, that looks like an oil spill." But the second thing I thought was, "is she doing something new with her hair? I like it."
I love both outfits and the speech she gave on healthy eating in Kansas City it was a great speech. The outfit that she wore to the beach was a knock out loved it.
Christina -- I thought the same thing about the top and the oil spill but was too timid to say it. Even so, I like the whole outfit and especially the cut of the top as I see it other pictures. Re. her hair, it looks like it's been cut a little shorter and shaped more in the back. I think it looks great!
Christina that is what is so good about this blog, we can agree to disagree without being nasty and ugly. Some of the comments on the other places I visit is downright horrible. But we can be respectful, and disagree. Because I think FLOTUS looked wonderful in both outfits. And her speech in Kansas City was great.
she looks exceptionally good in the first dress.Jason Wu is really talented. i love the pop of colour with the emerald earrings.her 2nd outfit is a top Mrs.T (B). she paired it with a simple white pair of trousers.it is a thakoon resort 2010.
http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/2010RST-THAKOON/?loop=0&iphoto=2&play=false&cnt=3
@chrystelle, I agree with you, but am awaiting official confirmation from both PR representatives before posting.
@Christina, Still going by "Mrs. T" around here I think!
Yahoo pictures of her in Kansas City do not do her justice. Likewise the difference between CNNlive and NAACP livestreams were dramatically different with the latter winning out. If anyone is interested in the video, it is on the NAACP site. Link is below. Click on the archives button. The speech is in the 1st plenary session. She comes on at 1hr 40m and makes her exit at 2hr 14m. The dot easily moves so you don't have to listen to the whole session. The dress can be fully seen in front and back as she accepts applause and exits.
http://www.naacp.org/content/convention
Is the black and white a Prabal Gurung by any chance, or maybe Thakoon?
Yahoo is showing photos of her in this black and white top and white pants walking along a beach and sitting down, so it is definitely not a dress.
According to Huff Post and the closeup they took the top picture is a gray and white dress. The brown of the sleeves is from her skin showing through a gauzy sleeve. It looks perfect for a hot day!
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/5/5/wow-worthy-watercolor.html This was why I guessed Thakoon before I even read some of the above comments - I remembered the shoulder detail. I knew I'd seen it before!
@anniebella:
I actually think the Florida outfit looks cool and lovely, and Mrs. O looks great. I love black and white, and the bold graphic pattern of the top. And she looks great in white all the time -- I think she wore a white dress in Canada that was really lovely. The only reason I thought "oil spill" is because that was already in my mind, I guess. But I was not trying to suggest that the outfit itself looks ugly, because it doesn't.
Edited to add: and it looks like the picture is misleading my eyes, anyway: looking at Chrystelle's link, I see that the top is BLUE, not black.
It looks like she is barefoot on the beach in Florida - such a wonderful, down-to-earth first lady!
Welcome back Mrs. T - you were missed.
Mrs. Obama looks fabulous! Love the dress and love the Thakoon top. Thanks to Chrystelle and Anne for links.
Ladies,
Do any of you know who the pretty lady is to the left of FLOTS in the picture of Michelle (in the Jason Wu)at the NAACP convention.? I love her peach suit. What od all you you thin of this suit?
@Susan, I noticed the pink suit also and think that it is stunning. This lady looks like she took her fashion cue from the First Lady herself, i.e. color and shape!
It is hot and humid here in FL and we wear light colored, breathable fabrics to stay as cool as possible - ergo Mrs. Obama wearing white. Very sensible choice of clothing and quite fashionable. I don't see how her outfit looks like "an oil spill." As a Florida resident, I'm offended by that comment. We're devastated by what has happened to our beautiful coastline and our environment down here. By comparing what the first lady is wearing to this disaster, you not only insult her, but you belittle the extent of the disaster we're suffering.
Bad, bad form.
I love, love Mrs. O Thakoon top and her hair look fabulous from both angles.
Right now Mrs. O is conducting an online forum on her campaign for LetsMove.gov
@marabout40
Oh my gosh. If you really think that a stray comment on a board about someone's perception of the pattern of a top is an insult to Michelle Obama/Florida/Floridians, you're giving me WAYYYY too much power.
The pattern of the top looked black to me. (Though now I know it's meant to be blue.) Black and abstract, like paint or oil swirled on a white canvas. Good grief, THAT IS ALL I MEANT, please stop reading anything more into it. I'm not going to censor everything I say for fear of causing offense or being called out for "bad form" -- particularly a statement as innocuous as "this pattern looks llike [blank] to me."
Mrs. O did the AOL forum about fightng obeisity. She wore a salmon colored dress and a divine brooch. As usual she looked beautifull. The young woman who interviewed her was gorgeous. Loved her dress and would love to know who desinged it. Absoltely stunning, young woman.
Hi Mrs. T (B).
Congratulations on your nuptuals and welcome back.
I am now in NJ where my husband resides and I have been eagerly awaiting your return although I looked at your suggested sites.
Being married is blissful!. Isn't it?!
I love all the outfits that Michelle has worn over the past few weeks. She looks divine in ALL of them. My favourite is the one she wore to the Treasury Dept. I also love the beach outfit.
@Susan, that lady is the chairman of the board of directors for the NAACP. I think her last name is Brock, but I'm not sure.
Christina, please keep doing you. Most of us know you meant no harm or figured that you were trying to make light of the oil spill.
I watched Mrs. O today and the color of her dress looked good against her skin and the brooch was very cute. I am loving Mrs. O hair lately. Looks like she got layers cut in her hair, so it is feathering beautifully.
I've looked at a bazillion closeup pictures of this beachwear top and I honestly think it's black, gray and white but mostly black & white. I think it's a great casual look.
Susan and Juliede:
I noticed this suit right away as a St John Knit. The color is watermelon and is on sale on their website - sjk.com.
I love St John and it is a staple in my wardrobe (they also make beautiful dresses). Their pieces are timeless and can be worn for years without looking dated.
By the way, both ladies look great!
Nyon, Thanks for the name of the lady at the NAACP. You' re right, she is the Charperson of the NAACP.
I went to the Website of the NAACP and there is an article about her with bio info. She has an amazing resumé. I hope many of you check it out. I googled pics of her and she likes clothes! Thanks for the ID of her suit as a Saint John. Not surprised.... what a pretty suit.
AOL has a write up and a picture of her event today.
http://www.aolhealth.com/2010/07/13/michelle-obama-talks-childhood-obesity/
hello trinisamba! how was your honeymoon?
video of the First Lady of today's event.No pics available yet.maybe the whitehouse blog will have one soon.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/first-lady-michelle-obama-answers-your-questions-let-s-move
i think it is a custom made Jason Wu dress. the top reminds me of the chartreuse cocktail dress she wore in Mexico.
Nyon, Thanks for the name of the lady at the NAACP. You' re right, she is the Charperson of the NAACP.
I went to the Website of the NAACP and there is an article about her with bio info. She has an amazing resumé. I hope many of you check it out. I googled pics of her and she likes clothes! Thanks for the ID of her suit as a Saint John. Not surprised.... what a pretty suit.
Not so keen on the polka dots - but I don't like polka dots unless they are small, but I do like how he's played with the fabric. Adore the Florida outfit. I've ben checking out the White House website and the White House response to the oil spill has actually been very thorough. There's a LOT of coverage.
@ Christina . . . "and we're back!"
I was wondering how long it would take b4 minor skirmishes ensued, 2 1/2 days.
Glad African women don't have that perception or the beautiful Kente' cloths, mudcloth and other bold ethnic prints would never have been born.
Darker skin tones can carry bold print beautifully. . .
This is the USA, Christina, so speak on. We're learning about each other and that's healthy.
OK jersey girl, I wish you hadn't but I went shopping, that suit is stunning and on sale for $478.00!!!! I put up no resistance.....
I love polka dots but not a fan of that dress. The other lady is killing the style game in that pic. It is no competition, but she looks better than Mrs O. Yes, I said it. That is the power of the suit. It just works sometimes. I think Mrs. O should have waited till Sunday to wear that dress to church. It is especially very distracting for someone giving a speech. Love the new hair though.
Shaking my damn head at the ppl saying that the NAACP chairperson took her cue from Mrs. O. There are many black women who know how to dress and dress VERY well even without a Mrs. O budget. NO need to take cues from Mrs. O who is a hit and miss depending on the day you pick. That is a lot of teeth in that second pic.
Also, by saying the dres slooks like an oil spill, does that mean it is a mess? Sorry, not understanding but I think she looks fine from what I can see. Or does the full length pic tell a different story? Not sure why Mrs. T didn't post a full pic?
No skirmishes ... just a few observations, expressed respectfully ... which are always welcome!
Juliede:
Yes it is a beautiful suit. That is a good price for what their jackets normally sell for! If you purchased the suit, you have a suit that will not look dated in 20 years!
Ava:
You are right on target. I couldn't have said it better myself!
I think she is smart to wear the hair piece in the humid florida weather.
Don't really care for either outfit, although the abstract top with the white pants is good for print and media pictures.
I think the "oil spill": comment is kind of funny and clever - I didn't think of it as insulting.
I love the dress and the suit, which I agree is inspired by Mrs O who when she wears a suit does not wear the uniform dowdy, suit that women of a certain age wear. Mrs O usually wears suits that are unique and youthful.
the dress First lady is wearing today is banging. those photographers better step up their game.
Did i miss the event with Serena Williams? i haven't seen any pics of them playing tennis on the south lawn which i must admit is what i was looking forward to today.
Chrystelle, her dress is very cute today. It looked white and yellow on my screen. About the Let's Move event. I'm guessing it was cancelled or postponed because I saw it on the live stream schedule for this morning, but when I went to watch it, it was not available, so I thought that maybe I got the time wrong, but like you said there are no pics, so that's what makes me think it did not happen.
The tennis event was postponed due to rain and an injury for Serena.
http://washingtonscene.thehill.com/in-the-know/36-news/5083-white-house-postpones-tennis-day
Wonderful pics of Mrs.O
http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/first-lady-michelle-obama-visits-panama-city-beach-fla
Mrs.T(B). aren't we going to have a thread about the salmon sheath + brooch she wore yesterday?
Thanks @ Asereht.
Pics of today event. not a great job by those photographers. the details on the bottom were great.like some sort of draping.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0d0J3Kj4AZ3FD?q=Michelle-Obama
http://www.daylife.com/photo/06nMdfd4x974j?q=Michelle-Obama
More from today:
http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/8622/slide_8622_114292_large.jpg?1279147751153
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/14/michelle-obama-jill-biden_n_646784.html#s114291
Calm down Ava, I was expressing an opinion, neither you nor I know whether the Chairwoman did or did not take a cue from Mrs. O. It is a fact that people of class try to mirror an honored guest in a given situation such as this one was. The fact that the well dressed lady is black is incidental to me. I liked her suit and went online and bought it. I took a fashion cue from her and I really feel good about it.
Michelle Obama is a good representation for our country I love her
Chrystelle - great video link. We've seen the pin before:
http://www.expressnightout.com/content/2009/06/commanderinchic_michelle_obamas_brooch_b.php
The color of the dress looks more melon than salmon. Th origami-like folding of the bodice looks very familiar.
Good pics of the yellow and white ensemble from the 14th on Huff Post. I think their colors are accurate.