Tuesday
Feb122013
State of the Union
Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at 10:10 PM 
In the audience of President Obama's State of the Union address this evening, Mrs. O wears a Jason Wu custom red organza tweed flounce dress from the designer's Pre-Fall 2013 collection. An Alexis Bittar lucite flower pin in warm grey and gold at the shoulder accessorizes the look.
It seems Mrs. Obama is in a Jason Wu kind of mood to start 2013. The back to back to dresses, for the inaugural ball and now the State of the Union, certainly furthers the affiliation between Mrs. Obama and the young designer.
I'm reminded of this article from a few weeks back:
"Michelle Obama's Public Endorsement of Jason Wu" [New York Times]
Update (2/13): In this Official White House Photo by Pete Souza, Mrs. O can be seen wearing a coordinating red coat.
tagged Alexis Bittar, Jason Wu
Alexis Bittar, Jason Wu
Reader Comments (88)
It seems Mrs. Obama LOVES Jason Wu designs. I certainly understand. We shop continuously at shops whose style we like, so Mrs. Obama continues to rock Wu's fashions. I wish I could afford them. Some of the pieces are beautiful. She's introduced us to some wonderful designers!
I loved the cut and color, but I have to admit that the sparkle seemed a bit much for the occasion.
Love the Wu dress, but her hair was Rockin' . Talk about silky shiny! Go FLOTUS!
Michelle looking more like Maxine Waters by the day!
Soooo prettty!
I'm usually such a fan, but I wasn't feeling it tonight--the bangs looked off, and the dress felt busy. But loved the "air kiss" between her and the Pres.
I personally do not think the sequin embroidery was too much. Instead what I felt that Mrs. O was communicating thru that dress was a message of hope, and optimisim. I mean one look at that dress, and joy overtakes you, you want to smile and be happy. I think it's such a beautiful dress on her! It fits her so perfectly! And I'm loving the hair with it as well.
Mrs Obama is stunning, stunning, stunning. She brings such fun, classy, sane hotness and glamour to these otherwise ho-hum D.C activities with all those boring, annoying politicians.
She takes a simple, well-made dress like this and accentuates the wonderful fabric and cut that makes a statement facing you or with her back to you.
I'm thrilled for Jason Wu and I'm even more in awe of Mrs Obama for sticking to her guns literally, and wearing exactly what and who she likes never letting the spiteful, manipulative Bridget Foley types sideline her with their petty, vindictive, tantrum-throwing hit pieces.
I think she looked like she was going to a cocktail party rather than the State of the Union speech, but to each her own....
I think our First Lady looked stunning from head to toe! I missed her entrance, so I was thrilled to see this short video clip (click here) on theobamadiary.com of her walking to her seat.
I´m so sorry, but why does an intelligent woman like Michelle Obama choose to look like a black Barbie? It´s so disappointing.
I was conflicted upon seeing this dress at the SOTU. After reading the comments I feel more comfortable about the dress, i.e. exuding a message of hope and optimism. God bless our President and First Lady! God bless the UNITED States of America!
Gorgeous Hair, Makeup & Dess
Love Mrs. O!!!
Is the hair a wig, or extensions, it does not seem natural; way too poufy. As for the dress; not right for the SOTU.
Hi5! FLOTUS Obama at Her husband's presidential #SOTU was beautiful elegance for the New Millennium!
I love the dress. I think it's just cute, feminine, elegant.. I have to say, I'm getting sick of seeing her arms. I know she is proud of them, toned, etc. but we already know. I mean, come´on it's FEBRUARY :P
I'm also curious about the hair. I thought it was natural but yesterday's hair looks like a wig. I just think it looks too fake, sorry.
why all the negative comments? We have been watching michelle fashions since 08 and she has always worn a dress to the SOTU! secondly, and carolyn its extentions, not a wig
Does anyone know how many times Michelle Obama has wore Jason Wu over the years?
I loved the dress and I just love her new hairstyle. It really flatters her face.
Humm... not a fan of this look, i don't like the dress and it looks too 'casual' for the occasion. I'll pass on this one.
Loved the sleeveless dress but Is it summer in Washington D.C.?
I LOVE Mrs. O's fashion choices and those of her daughters. Mrs. Biden's is cute as well!!!! They all have been very successful at bring "White House" fashion to another level and I love it!!!!!!
And to think we have another four years to indulge and enjoy Mrs Obama. She's gorgeous. That dress is about a second term flotus enjoying the amazing role and life she has and supporting the President as well.
I'm stunned at the reactions to everything Michelle wears... it never really matters WHAT it happens to be. This dress was "in" in the '60s; I have a picture of my sister wearing it! While EVERYONE around her are wearing long sleeves (which is appropriate for WINTER-WEAR and the occasion), Michelle goes SLEEVELESS because someone commented on her well-toned armes four years back. When are people going to think for themselves instead of following whatever the news media feeds to them? I'm truly amazed at the people who are 'stunned', 'astounded', 'thrilled', 'amazed', and HAPPY over a silly dress and bangs (I've had BANGS for 20yrs.). Get over it and go out and get a life!
I love the dress, hair, accessories of Mrs. Obama. Like all others that has negative things to say, stay off the net until you can act in a civil manner. It is not a policy for Mrs. Obama to dress in a certain way. She has her own style, and I JUST LOVE IT!!!!! Keep up the good work.
Mrs. Obama keep it rocking, I will always respect you.
@Carolyn - Perhaps a close up picture would give you a better look at Michelle's hair. Click here to see one this closeup that was on theobamadiary.com. I think her hair looks quite natural.
I hadn't noticed until looking at that picture that a small band of material around the neckline and arm holes appears to be leather (or is that satin). Either way, I love the dress. Several people feel the dress was too much for the occasion. I disagree...but then again I think of Michelle Obama as a fashion-paradigm-buster!
I just read a great article about Alexis Bittar's reaction to learning FLOTUS was wearing one of his pins for the SOTU address. Click here to read the article.
In the third from the last paragraph he included a very flattering description of what he sees as the essence of Michelle Obama.
The dress was not one of my favorites, but then I am not a fan of Jason Wu. She looks better (in my opinion) in Michael Kors. I sometimes think her focus is so much on what she likes that the ocassion is not always considered. I do not like the bangs. I think they are "too" young.
Sparkly dress? The STOU is held after 5 and who knows what pre or posr receptions she may have needed to attend. I think the dress was fine and it is NOT the 1950s!
Some gracious comments from Alexis Bittar about Mrs. O and her style on Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alexis-bittar/michelle-obama-flower-brooch-sotu_b_2678709.html?utm_hp_ref=style&ir=Style While much is made of our FLOTUS supporting American clothing designers, we don't hear as much about her jewelry. It's good to hear how proud he is!
I rarely comment here, but always read what others post. Today I'm disheartened by some of the comments. Why would women choose to demean another woman, especially our First Lady, with remarks about wigs, barbie dolls, and look-a-like comparisons with a politician? I saw our First Lady wearing a dress last evening that looked like a valentine greeting to our country. She looked lovely, and she echoed the president's message of optimism and hope for the future of this country. Having said that, I'd like to see a better photograph of the dress. The words "red organza" sound yummy.
2 things: 1) @ Maria, please clarify are you disparaging Blacks or Barbies?, and 2) When Prez and Flotus left the WH, she had on the matching full length coat. FAB-U-LOUS. Great silouhette (sp?). Not sequin, but tweed w/a metallic thread. I've seen this a lot w/St. John Knits & Chanel suits, both for business, evening suitwear.
Well said and right on "heymom". It's all about what you look like and what the media portrays. I thoroughly enjoy your insignt and realism.
Check it out! The dress has a matching coat. White House released photos from SOTU today. Picture 1 of 17 shows FLOTUS in the coat. http://1.usa.gov/11HfBbv
It's the State of the Union. A time of gravitas for our country. This concerns business end of our country. It's not a party and this is a party dress. I've said this before and was shouted down, she needs a basic black suit. Meeting the Pope, the Queen, Ted Kennedy's funeral, State of the Union require a look that carries the weight of such occasions. No bare arms, no sparkles, no full skirt, a well cut suit. Period.
Back view of MATCHING COAT...http://theobamadiary.com/
Just saw the back of the beautiful coat that goes with the dress on The Obama Diary. Beautiful! She continues to be true to herself and what she loves--something I strive for everyday. Rock on Mrs. O!
I am back! Sleeveless inappropriate because it is winter? You're kidding right??? Was she waiting at a bus stop in 20 degrees? Do we know what the temperature is like in the Capitol Building? To HeyMom: Remedy for being "stunned " stop following the site.
And she was worn black to funerals........so she owns something "basic black".
@ Patricia I agree! I am still praising God that little Ethan is safe at home and that our First Lady cares about grieving parents and saving our children. The coat appears to be beautiful that goes with this dress.
Do you all see this? It looks like Mrs. O's Jason Wu outfit had a matching coat. I just saw this picture (click here) on theobamadiary.com website. Mrs. T. do you know anything about this being an ensemble?
For everyone criticizing her for showing her arms, perhaps she's just trying to let everyone see the dress?!
I also love the matching coat with this outfit. The look is very classy. I wish she had worn the coat and removed it. I like the look. Many of the women were in sparkles for the night including the very fashionable 102 year-old ,Desiline Victor. She was simply lovely and prove you can be a fashionable at any age.
Enough about being "true to herself." I agree with the poster that says bare arms, and sparkly organza do not got together with the seriousness of an event such as a State of the Union address. She does look like a black barbie too.
I might be happier if she had left he coat on (a la her inaugural outfit)...does anyone ever discuss who does her hair and makeup?
Help me out here, some of you think that the dress was too much for the SOTU and Frederique said that it was too casual. Make up your minds, already!
She looked great, loved the color combo. Elegant, classy- typical for Mrs. O
I thought Mrs. O looked lovely and found the
dress very pretty, although not my favorite of her choices. I don't get the
gripes about sleeveless. Pick up a decent fashion magazine of anytime
in, oh, the last 6 to 7 years; sleeveless is for all seasons now and can be tastefully done in all weights of fabric. Mrs. O had a beautiful coordinating coat for the trip to Capitol Hill and the SOTU address. Good grief; she's not walking through a snowstorm in a dress and heels. The classic sleeveless A-line is just that: classic. And timeless. Mrs. O wears classic cuts with fresh detailing that speaks to her. Some of the comments posted seem to harken back to a dowdy era in DC fashion of which there is still WAY too much. Thanks Mrs. O for always giving us something fresh, pretty and stylish to look at and for representing our country with great fashion sense, thoughtfulness and taste.
There seems to be a debate as to what is appropriate to wear at official occasions and when I looked at this photo of the SOTU, I spot a woman bearing her arms (standing next to Apple's Tim Cook) and two women wearing cardigans (one of them with a belt a la Mrs O) and I wonder if these women took a cue from Mrs O's signature styles. http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/photogallery/2013-state-union-address
Personally I think Mrs O's Jason Wu dress looks too flashy for the occasion based on the photos but who knows, maybe it felt different and not too flashy if you were in the room?
"This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man." William Shakespeare, Hamlet.
Thanks Mrs. Obama for continuing to be true! Oh, and Savannah Guthrie, Gayle King, and all the other national and local news ladies with beautiful sleeveless dresses on this morning (Gayle you're rockin' that belt!) thank you for your style and beautiful smiles and comprehensive reporting.
Hope you have a beautiful Valentine's Day Mrs. T! Thank you again!
I loved the cut of the dress and the red fabric. But I really did not like the black bodice. I think brought too much attention to her bust than is appropriate for the occasion and I just didn't like it from a design perspective. It looks awkward. The coordinating coat looks wonderful!