Best of 2010
Sunday, January 2, 2011 at 9:01 PM It just doesn't feel right to ring in 2011 without a recap of favorite Mrs. O style moments from 2010. (Hopefully this falls into the better late than never category!) Please find my top picks from 2010 below. I would love to hear your favorites, as I have surely missed a few gems.
February 2010: The First Lady donned a billowing, printed Spring 2008 blouse from Alexander McQueen just days after the legendary designer passed away. The choice was a tremendous, thoughtful gesture by Mrs. O, showing that fashion as message is the most inspiring kind.
Official White House photo by Lawrence Jackson
June 2010: The President and First Lady traveled to Toronto for the G20 Summit in late June. Mrs. O wore a ruffled Alaia frock for the occasion that can only be described in one word -- sexy. With this look, Mrs. O continued to break new style ground as first lady, embodying the modern, American woman.
August 2010: Mrs. O delighted in Spain, wearing a white cotton Alaia top and rose pink Moschino skirt. But perhaps the real star was darling Sasha Obama, who coordinated with her mother's palette in cheery crewcuts separates. The Obama daughters began to show their own fashion prowess this year, which adds a fun, new dimension to style in the White House.
Photos by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
November 2010: The President and First Lady's entire trip to India and Indonesia merits "Best of 2010" status, but I've selected just one favorite look. Below Mrs. O wears a skirt by Dries Van Noten skirt, which adds yet another interesting designer to Mrs. O's ever-expanding style repertoire. If an unexpected choice, the skirt was utterly gorgeous, and perfect for the setting. An Alexis Bittar pin at the shoulder added a signature Mrs. O touch.
Official White House photo by Pete Souza
It feels almost impossible to select favorites, as there were so many gorgeous, chic moments to choose from. Other top picks: December's holiday frocks seemed to signal a new chapter in Mrs. O's fashion. In a few short weeks the first lady wore Marc Jacobs and vintage Normal Norell, both significant, new moments in Mrs. O's style history. May's state dinner to honor the president and first lady of Mexico was another high point, highlighted by a gorgeous gown by Peter Soronen, and a stately dress and coat from Calvin Klein Collection, paired with an inventive Erickson Beamon collar necklace. Of course there were gorgeous frocks by Thakoon, Barbara Tfank and Rachel Roy too.
It's exciting to begin a new year, which will undoubtedly be filled with inspiration -- sartorial and far beyond -- from Michelle Obama. Thank you all for continuing to follow this blog, and making it a little sparkle in my day (and hopefully in yours too). Wishing you a wonderful 2011! xo Mrs. T
UPDATE: A few of the top Reader's Picks follow below.
May 2010: Mrs. O wears Fall 2009 Barbara Tfank for a Wounded Warrior event at the White House.
Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton
August 2010: Mrs. O tours Spain in a bold shoulder Jean Paul Gaultier top.
Image by Jorge Guerrero
December 2010: The first lady dons vintage Normal Norell for "Christmas in Washington."
Image by Yuri Gripas / Reuters Pictures
Reader Comments (26)
I think she has worn some beautiful Rachel Roy pieces this past year. My favorite was the silver and gold blouse and skirt from Rachel Roy she wore to the dinner in India. Of course there were many other favorites like the two Khan gowns that she wore to the state dinner for the Indian prime minister and the red gown to th Kennedy Center Honors. Two other favorites were the dresses she wore to the White House Correspondent's Dinner and the" NAACP Dinner. I think she looks paricularly lovely when she is at formal events. Cannot wait to see what she wears this year.
This is definitely a daunting task! Mrs. O not only looked terrific throughout the year, she also simply created style many times over in her own unique way. Her influence cannot be overstated. Here are some of my choices for this year's fabulous looks that were a perfect fit, exuded style and radiated confidence for Mrs. O:
This gorgeously structured gray dress by Lanvin:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/3/8/lovely-in-lanvin.html
The vintage Norman Norell dress she wore at Christmas:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/12/16/mrs-os-little-christmas-elves.html
A beautiful red gown by Michael Kors:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/9/19/red-carpet-ready.html
Mizrahi's plum dress for the State of the Union:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/1/27/pretty-in-plum.html
A couple of breathtaking Tfanks:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/5/17/one-fabulous-frock.html
and
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/10/11/the-worlds-most-powerful-woman.html
For casual, the Jean Paul Gaultier top she wore in Spain:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/8/4/bold-one-shoulder.html
The stunning black and white leopard lace Byron Lars dress:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/9/7/the-white-house-dance-series.html
The flawless L'Wren Scott bright pink sheath:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/10/13/mrs-o-in-harpers-bazaar.html
I love the playful mix of patterns and designers L'Wren Scott, Talbots and Jean Paul Gaultier:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/4/7/a-delightful-mix-of-print-and-pattern.html
The lace print wool coat, black sheath and stellar black boots:
http://mrs-o.org/newdata/2010/1/12/honoring-jean-finnegan-biden.html
So many others....Can't wait to see the surprises of 2011!
@meta
I totally agree with yours Mrs O's best looks list and choices ;)
I'm sorry to say this but Mrs T i'm a little bit disappointed with your choices. Those outfits are my least favourite outfits of Mrs O. Anyway we all have different taste.
1. The divine Tracy Reese dress and red shoes ensemble that she wore on arrival in Mexico.
2. The Pink Rachel Roy two tone dress that she wore in Mexico.
3. The blue Peter Soronen dress that she wore to the state dinner.
4. Rachel Roy ensemble that she wore to the state dinner in India.
5. Pink outift that she wore on Ellen's show earlier this year.
6. Jason Wu dress that she wore to the woman's conference in California, so love this dress !
7. The brown dress with blue spots and blue shoes ensemble that she wore to the Let's Move Initiative.
8. Spain Trip - Jean Paul Gaultier one shoulder top, black trousers, dark shades, stacks of bracelets - fierce !!! I wll be dressing like this for my next holiday.
9. Yellow Rachel Roy dress that she wore to the "Women of Distinction Luncheon".
10. Barbra Tfank dress worn at the Wounded Warrior White House event.
11. Jasmin Shokrian ensemble worn in New York.
12. Grey Lanvin dress worn to International Women's Day event.
13. Rachel Roy dress worn on the Today Show.
Mrs. T, Thank you for the Mrs. O blog. I visit this site several times each day. Wishing everyone a blessed and prosperous New Year.
Ms. T,
Thanks for this very supportive site on Mrs. Obama's fashion and accessories.
Mature people know we will not like everything the First Lady wears, but, we do know how to voice our opinion when we do not particularly care for an outfit Mrs. O wears without writing vitriol filled, personal comments.
@ Meta, thanks for the links.
Happy New Year!
Agree with all of you....it's difficult to do because she always looks amazing. I was knocked out by her burgundy dress for the Kennedy Center Honors, the white Alaia, her short, black 'date night in New York" number, what she wore for cookie decorating and the black ballet skirt dress she wore with the Santa's helpers.....she's had a stunning holiday season. The First Couple are my age and I simply love watching someone of my "generation" just lighting up the world stage, raising their girls, loving each other and showing people how it's done. Bravo!
Happy New year everyone!
I agree with all Meta choices with the exception of the Grey Lavin dress worn at the International Women's Day Event and the playful mix of patterns she wore when she hosted the town meeting at the White House on Child Obesity. I love all the Mrs. O. accessories.
Thank you for the recap Mrs. T. Mrs. O wore some fantastic skirts in 2010.
@meta, I'm glad you mentioned the black lace coat because I'd forgotten about that one. Love it!
Mrs. T, thanks for the retrospective. The mention of that Erickson Beamon makes me think you could do another just on the accessories.
We can look forward to the January 19 State Dinner. Does anyone have predictions? Are there any Chinese-American designers or will Mrs. O's dress look to China for design inspiration in the way she honored India with the Naeem Khan for the first state dinner?
This is a great blog!!! My favorite Mrs. O looks for 2010 were the vintage Norell and the Tfank pieces. Happy New Year, Mrs. T.
The Colored Man @ www.musingsofacoloredman.blogspot.com
Love Meta's choices too!
I love the gorgeous Dries van Noten skirt. While the others might not have made it to the top of my list, they all show that Mrs. O chooses her wardrobe with care, thoughtfulness, wit, and style. She's a tremendous first lady - not just for her wardrobe, of course, but for her brains, heart, grace, and energy. I hope that the next two years are triumphant for the Obamas, and that we'll be enjoying Mrs. O's style as First Lady for the next six years.
@ Mrs.T: Thank you for creating this website. I check it multiple times a day.
@meta: great choices! Thanks for all the links. I guess my taste is closer to yours.
It's fun to hear the various favorites, and I second many of those mentioned above. In fact, I've updated the post to include a few that seemed to surface repeatedly as "reader's picks". Thank you to all who left such lovely, appreciative comments.
@ a MI Mom - we should begin brainstorming possible candidates for January 19! I wonder if Mrs. O might wear a gown she already owns but has never worn publicly - I know there are several others by Naeem Khan and Peter Soronen in her closet.
I have so many favorites from 2010. This review makes me excited to see what Mrs. O debuts in 2011. I love how she is not afraid of fashion and especially color. Looking forward to some wonderful outfits in 2011!
gerçekten güzel yakışmış kıyafetleri .best of 2010 beatıful:)
This makes the second year in a row that I find it difficult to whittle down my list of favorites. But these are my top choices:
#10. Vintage Norman Norell at Christmas Concert
#9. All Turquoise ensemble in India
#8. Rasperry L'Wren Scott/blue heels in Harper's Bazaar
#7. Gray Derek Lam/camel knee high boots at nutrition bill signing
#6. Red Michael Kors at Black Caucus Awards Dinner
#5. Red Prabal Gurung at White House Correspondents' Dinner
#4. Gaultier top/black trousers in Spain
#3. Chocolate brown/black Sophie Theallet on Christmas Special
#2. Sequined Naeem Khan at Kennedy Honors
#1. Peter Soronen at State Dinner for Mexico
The State Dinner look was of mythical proportions. It looked as if she had sprang from the head of Zeus, shot down the side of Mt. Olympus in a chariot of fire, blazed a trail to the steps of the White House and not a curl was out of place.
A very Happy New Year to Mrs. T and this community!
The First Family returns home today and I'm excited to see them all. Mrs. O wore a cute skirt for her departure. I'm sure we're all looking forward to the glamour of the next state dinner!
Amazing woman. Amazing year.
@ Meta: Thanks for your list. You hit it out of the park! (minus 1 :-)
@ Marcelle: I'm in agreement with you 100%.
@ McKinley: Another grand slamming list!
Happy New Year to you all.
P.S. Wouldn't mind seeing the First Lady in a DvF dress. Also, I sorely miss seeing her in Maria Pinto's clothing.
She looked great in 2010...Luv all her outfits...Mrs. T here's a pic of the 1st fam...Coming home from vacation...Here's sum links n pics.
http://obamadiary.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/barack-obama-michelle-obama-sasha-obama-malia-obama-2011-1-4-12-30-47.jpg?w=399&h=600
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/01bIefg6uw0lC/610x.jpg
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/02t90oP2DR5fD/610x.jpg
http://obamadiary.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/barack-obama-michelle-obama-gen-gary-l-north-2011-1-4-3-0-37.jpg?w=720&h=516
Why are the children dressed in all black? I've noticed this other times too.
Wearing a vintage piece is so radical and the dress,so beautiful.
I'm not up on all the designers, but thought I'd just let you know that we love Mrs. O in Jamaica too and we definitely think she's the Best Dressed First Lady you've Ever Had! Looking forward to seeing a lot more of her in 2011.
Mrs. T,
Much thanks for creating such a fashionable website and blog about our amazing first lady Mrs. Michelle Obama. Her style outlook is always a breath of fresh air and superb elegance. I am so tired of some media outlets and blog sites degrading her at every occasion and or event. Please keep up the great work—simply FANTASTIC!!!