Ray of Sunshine

The First Lady hosted the second Kids' "State Dinner" in the East Room of the White House today, in partnership with Epicurious, the Department of Education, and the Department of Agriculture. The event recognized 54 winners of a national recipe challenge to promote healthy lunches. For the event, Mrs. O wore a Michael Kors sunshine metallic silk matelasse sheath dress, last seen in October 2009, here. Alexis Bittar bracelets from the designer's Elements collection completed the look.

Repeat Red

The First Lady was in Annapolis, Maryland today where she met Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley for the signing ceremony of a Maryland state bill, the Veterans Full Employment Act of 2013, supporting military veterans. For the ceremony, Mrs. O wore a crimson pleated georgette crewneck dress by Michael Kors, previously seen on the cover of Parade magazine in 2011, here. Red patent pumps and a double strand of pearls completed the polished look.

Blue Belle

President Obama and Mrs. O arrived for the presentation of the medal of honor for US Army Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun at the White House this past weekend. For the occasion, Mrs. O wore a Michael Kors Surf Stretch Boucle Crepe Sheath dress, previously seen here. Pearls and neutral pumps completed the look.

A Return to Vogue

Photos via Vogue.com

As had been speculated, Mrs. O is on the cover of Vogue for April 2013, out on newstands in less than two weeks. Per Robin Givhan of the Washington Post, "She’s wardrobed from her own closet in a Reed Krakoff sheath in cerulean blue with a flourish of purple at the neckline." Vogue reveals that Mrs. O paired the dress Kimberly McDonald geode-and-diamond drop earrings. In a new photo on the magazine's website, the First Lady can also be seen wearing a stunning Michael Kors sweater and ball skirt.

In the interview, the First Lady describes her relationship to fashion as follows:

“I always say that women should wear whatever makes them feel good about themselves. That’s what I always try to do. . . . I also believe that if you’re comfortable in your clothes it’s easy to connect with people and make them feel comfortable as well. In every interaction that I have with people, I always want to show them my most authentic self.”

As many will recall, the First Lady also appeared on the March 2009 cover of Vogue, seen here.

For further reading:

"Leading by Example: First Lady Michelle Obama" [Vogue]

"Michelle Obama returns to Vogue as first lady who's melded style, influence" [Washington Post]

Bonus: "Michelle Obama's Best Looks" [Vogue]

A Repeat in Michael Kors Sparkle

The first lady attended an inaugural reception at The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. tonight wearing a dress that might strike longtime readers as familiar: a black sequin Michael Kors boat neck dress, which she debuted in September 2009 for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute dinner. Tonight Mrs. O refreshed the look, adding an eclectic mix of bracelets and, of course, her new do! See below, and the original post here, to compare.

The media has been ruminating on several theories as to why Mrs. O is "shopping her closet" with greater frequency - deference to the economy, a strategic image shift for the second term. From a different lens, I've wondered if the pieces that Mrs. O rewears are her favorites. In this case, a perfect little black sequin dress waiting patiently in her closet, eager for another time out on the town. What an honor for Michael Kors and team that Mrs. O loved this dress so much she wore it twice, especially considering the special occasion.

From 2009: