Thursday
Feb022012
A Style Secret
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 2:57 PM 
The President and First Lady attended the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. this morning. On Mrs. O's style menu? A purple tweed dress that dates back to January 2010, seen here. This mystery dress has never been identified.
Reader Comments (23)
Love the couple; not feeling the dress. Obama 2012!
The dress is not flattering - it makes her look fat.
Like the dress, love the 2010 hairstyle!
I loved this one initially, but it doesn't look as great this time. Was the camera angle from the January 2010 appearance was really flattering or is this one really bad? Anyway, it amazes me that you can't work your magic on sourcing this one, Mrs. T -- that certainly doesn't happen very often.
Does anyone else notice how the President and FLOTUS are holding their mouths in the exact same expression? I guess after being married for 20 years, they are beginning to look alike.
Appropriately subdued for the event. She looks lovely in almost anything.
The designer of this dress still remains a mystery! I also liked it a lot better the first time our Michelle wore it. It seems that it's too big or something. I can't quite put my finger on it. Take a look on gettyimages.com and see other pics of the dress at different angles. Anyway, it's still a sharp dress and quite suitable for a prayer breakfast.
It looks too big, and a bit like a purple burlap sack. But hey, Michelle O. manages to make even a burlap sack look somewhat classy!
Yes, the dress does look considerably better in the previous wearing of it. ...Maybe it's the camera angle? The tweedish fabric? (the fabric actually looks like upholstery fabric, circa late 1970s. Still, the Lady is entitled to a few "misses" every now and again. Considering that she practically hits it out of the park most of the the time.
Hum!
Mrs and Mr Obama look tired and bored.
I have no comment on this dress, i just dont like it.
Eventually, I showed the demostration of Mrs Obama , does she have to do that 25 biceps attitude at tv shows?
I admire Mrs Obama , she is sort of reference to many women , a source of an inspiration.I think, she is doing a vert FINE job as a first lady.But sometimes ,she is doing too much and need to step down a bit from this role.
In Europe, entire world, no first lady would practise a sort of pomp competition in order to please audiances.
Grr from France
I believe it's the angle this photo was taken on because you can see Mrs. O's sides. I love this dress... wonderful to see it again!
@Ruth: I noticed that, too! They both are smiling in the same way. Initially, I didn't like this dress too much but upon closer inspectin I'm really liking it. The asymmetrical neckline is a toughie but FLOTUS pulls it off without jewelry ... nice understated touch. The wrap/tie over the tummy is really tough but again she aces it. It does add some bulk through the middle but not too much. The color and fabrication are really what make this dress work. Looking good!
I watched the Prayer Breakfast live on C-Span. She looked marvelous. The camera angle in the above photograph is not good (IMO).
The hairdo was better (to me) when she wore the dress in 2010.
Could it be Weston wear? I have a similar dress in red faux tweed....
This is from the Obama Diary:
From the White House: “President Obama and the First Lady will welcome Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and his wife, Samantha Cameron, to the White House for an Official Visit with a State Dinner on March 13-14, 2012….”.
That's something to look forward to!!! Any predictions on the dress?
From the White House: “President Obama and the First Lady will welcome Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and his wife, Samantha Cameron, to the White House for an Official Visit with a State Dinner on March 13-14, 2012….”.
WHOO HOOOO!!!
Michelle Obama is looking mighty fabulous at 48 I must say! Great choice on her part given the nature of the morning - sober in color, dignified in length, very feminine in the cuts and curves! Very smart and safe for a prayer breakfast!
I'm sorry, but this could have used one of her beautiful brooches. Too dark and dowdy for me.
Ginger, manah, jewel, whatever - what are you talking about? I'm European and I am bored to death with our political wives. They do precisely nothing except emerge for the odd occasion looking laminated. Badly laminated.
Although I once heard a rumour that Carla Bruni-Sarkozt was doing something that actually contributes to humanity, I've got Samantha Cameron in my country, who once designed a handbag. Hell yes. *heavy irony* Oh, and she turned up to the Royal wedding looking like she was going to a flirty lunch date. Too busy doodling handbags to find a hat apparently.
I like what I'm seeing in the US and we really NEED some of that in Europe. REAL people, getting on with the job in hand, working out, raising a family and a dog, doing things for PEOPLE.
********
Sadly this is one of those rare days when I actively dislike what Mrs O is wearing. It's a bit frumpy and lumpy and dull. But it has a very Maria Pinto neckline, don't you think?
Posh Tater--What I find interesting is that you have to degrade all else to "upgrade" the First Lady and you and I both know it is unusual, in fact never seen or heard of that any First Lady in history did push-ups for a public audiences. Chew on that a bit
Pretty color on her, it's just missing that pop. Maybe a glitzy brooch could have been added.
Posh Tater,
You consistently bring such clearity to our discussions!
Why criticize First Lady Michell's Obama on how active she is (referring
to Grr's comment from France. You're entitled to your opinion, but for many women in America, Michelle's personal and professional agenda is being proactive, and what better example than showing by example.
I so admire her endless unsubdued energy. It motivates me to get up, get involved, and make a difference in the world.
I believe she would smile reading your comment, taking it as a Positive.
Go Michelle we love you!