Thursday
May072009
Pretty O
Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM 
Photo by Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Mrs. O attended a meeting with representatives from Corporate Voices for Working Families, an organization that aims to improve the lives of working families.
First Lady Mrs. O told the group:
"We need to discuss flexible work hours. We need to discuss paid leave for birth and adoption. We need to discuss quality on site child care."
Mrs. O is wearing the floral Etro blouse we got just a peek of in Strasbourg, over a lilac camisole. The layered tops are cinched at the waist with a studded belt by Sacai.
Reader Comments (159)
pretty blouse, can't see how the belt looks though. is this really the same blouse from strasbourg? it looks totally different to me, i must be thinking of another outfit.
Although it's only a small clip, I like the shade of lipstick she's wearing and the lavender shirt underneath her blouse. It goes well on her skin. Funny facial pose though *l* I'd love to see the "rejected" photos of the first family
I like the colorful blouse (without the belt). Nice to see MRS O again.
I wonder what she`s thinking?
Makeup is GORGEOUS!
I love the feathered bangs. The colors in the top look great with her complexion, and the makeup is fab as usual.
MRS T, I don't think it's the same blouse from strasbourg Though
It is. I promise. Etro sent me a sketch of the blouse from Prague, and the neckline and cap sleeves are the same.
Thanks Mrs T. II actually love this blouse looking at the many pictures. The color is beautiful and it looks great with her complexion
another photo where you can see the belt:
http (colon)// www(dot)daylife(dot)com /photo/0dtD0Y14FlcRT
Mrs, T is right. It just that she overlayed a bit in Prague when she wore this blouse, with the big bow shirt, with the studded belt, and under a jacket. I am not loving this look, as the unbuttoned collar makes it somewhat disheveled and I never liked the studded belt. I like her other Alaia belt better. But the combination of colors seems nice.
Lilly i think the blouse may have look better without the belt but it looks great against her skin. I am curious what moisturizer she uses. Her skin is always glowing
Hmm....I don't know. The colors are fab. And the belt matches this more than other things I've seen her wear that particular belt with. But I feel like the belt is fighting the blouse, a bit. Is it just me?
You can see the belt a little better here.
http://www.daylife.com/photo/02hBaiFeesfxD?q=michelle+obama
The colors are beautiful and her hair and makeup are always impecable. The look seems a bit casual but she seems quite comfortable in it. Love her smile.
I can't really see much of the belt, but I do like the way she has opened the blouse up. I am not a big fan of the colors used together in the print, although the lavender cami softens the color scheme for me.
I really wish we could see the full outfit. I agree with you, Christina, that the belt is a bit much with the floral pattern of the blouse.
I love the print of this blouse (I knew it would reappear), but not loving the belt. The blouse looks so springy and light, but the belt makes the look seem too harsh to me. That said, I need to see more of the outfit. I think the corset look is one she is embracing more and experimenting with---at least they tend not to ride up like the skinny belts. The cardigan she wore for the S. Street PSA looked much softer without a belt.
Also, her skin and makeup are flawless. I think Michelle's great skin comes from good eating most of the time, working out, and knowing she is loved by her husband and family. If the inside of your body is right, makeup only enhances what you've got.
Harsh -- it's interesting you use that adjective for this belt. It's hard. And I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just that it's studded, it's wide, it's a dark color...I guess I see it more with some sharply tailored jacket and pants than with the softer things that Mrs. O tends to wear it with (like the pretty dress and sweater on the cover of Essence.)
Ah, well -- I am so jealous of her hair, y'all. Seriously, I'm almost 10 years younger than her and I know my hair isn't that glossy and thick.
Oh goody more Michelle Fashion Crack!! I must have her lipstick!! no really!! Is it Mac and what shade is it!!
I'm not a fan of the belt. I did love that corset!! Oh well on to Saturday nite. Is there anything planned for Friday? I think Mrs. O paces herself given the recession, cant wait till Saturday.
Nice to see her in florals but it does look quite casual with the collar like that, esp with the color of the tank top underneath showing. Don't like her facial expression. Michelle makes these unflattering faces sometimes and then licks her teeth. Wish she'd stop doing them.
Looking at the top again, it does have buttons all the way up and she should have buttoned it.
Yet another pic:
http://www.daylife.com/photo/0dSC9xQ3mbchP?q=michelle+obama
Belt not needed, top should have been buttoned all the way up. She looks a disheveled mess. Sorry. Like someone on this site said,she will continue to dazzle us with her night looks but her day looks will evolve.
Scared to find out the price of the top cause I really don't love it. But I guess it's her money.
Yay for the floral. Spring has sprung.
@ That OM--"fashion crack"...too funny! But it's true for me too!
I was thinking more that even though I don't care for this belt with this blouse, maybe Michelle feels it's a way of making the blouse less casual and more dressy. I haven't seen the whole outfit but that's my guess. It's interesting, I love the blouse and like the belt, but don't like the two together (I agree with Christina that it looks like the belt is fighting the blouse). But I have a feeling this will be her favorite belt for awhile like the black Alaia belt was--so sit tight folks, we'll be seeing it for awhile I think this year! Michelle is not going to pay us any mind about this belt----LOL!
I agree that the blouse would be prettier if buttoned up instead of layering with the cami. And I'll just never understand those big, hard-looking belts under the boobs and why every outfit must have one! But I'm sure she's not losing any sleep over my not getting her need to belt! haha
The blouse is awesome. Her hair and makeup, as usual, are awesome. The belt and the pants, not so much.
Glad to see she's starting to shape her work/family balance platform.
You'll find more pix if you click through from the link Mrs T gave. I really like this soft look and hope it influences more women (especially executives) to back away from the suit.
Some of M's facial expressions are too funny! It's just that she's so expressive and "in the moment". Always interesting to see video of her.
@ Desertwind, I don't know if I want executives to be influenced to not wear suits. There is nothing wrong with suits. they are many pretty and expressive ones that still have feminine detail and are smart. I hope she encourages women that you don't always have to wear a suit to look formal, but I hop she doesn't influence women to "back away from the suit." Looking at today's outfit, I would rather have seen her in a suit, personally. Sometimes, a suit is safe, but it works. I'm not saying Mrs. O should wear more suits. I am saying that in times where the dress or alternative ensemble doesn't work, it's Ok to go with the no fail suit.
*There are many
Mrs. A:
I prefer dresses and wear them frequently (I also have suits).
I don't think that professional women are going to stop wearing suits (skirts or pants).
I tend to like both looks and mix up the wardrobe for work.
As you stated, a suit is safe bet everytime.
I can not comment on Mrs. Obama outfit until I see the whole attire.
I promised in other posts to not say a word about the belt and I will keep my opinion to myself!
Otherwise, the hair and make-up is gorgeous (as usual).
I can't wait to see what she wears to the White House Correspondent's dinner this weekend.
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/obama/2009/05/05/celebrities-line-up-for-white-house-correspondents-dinner.html
Yet some more images where you see a fuller length pic. If you scroll fwd or back, you will see more.
http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/slideshow/photo//090507/ids_photos_ts/r712792336.jpg/#photoViewer=/090507/ids_photos_ts/r1219336909.jpg
Well put, Mrs. A. We als have to realize that Mrs. O's dresses as much for personal style and comfort as for how she is perceived by the public. I would not use ALL of her looks as a barometer for what all women's styles should be. Remember, most places still have a dress code (love it or hate it) and Mrs. O has the luxury of having a "job" she can't be fired from because as she always reminds us, her husband has the hard job and she has the fun one. If we regular folks took some of the fashion risks that Mrs. O has, we might not have a job for long (smiles)! So we can follow her lead by copying a piece here and there, or her almost-flawless evening style in for our personal events, not by going full out whimsical as she often does.
I should have followed your lead, Jersey Girl, and withheld my opinion until I saw a full frontal shot. After seeing the photos (thanks, Mrs. A) I think the belt should be off and the blouse buttoned. Michelle's marvelous collarbone can still be seen, but the look would be a little more polished.
Off to find me some of those collarbones at the gym....LOL
After seeing the entire ensemble, I don't like this look on her. No opinion on the belt (still keeping my promise to not comment). The colors are very spring like and look pretty against her flawless skin. The hair and make-up, gorgeous.
This attire, after coming off a spectacular evening wear outfit, is very disappointing.
But hey, if she likes it and seems happy wearing it, so do I.
I have decided I want a signature style. I am, sadly, style-less. We know what Mrs. O's style is: hi-lo dressing, cardigans, belts, flats, long full skirts, chunky jewelry.
And what is my style? Well, I try to make sure that my clothes are clean on a day-to-day basis. I try to make sure my shoes match. Other than that, all bets are off.
I am going to pick some kind of signature piece and just WORK IT, girls! I just don't know what it is yet.
I am on vacay (Yay me!), so I asm posting a bit more than usual. Anyway, since I usually post to complain about posts, I feel I must post the following: I AM SO PROUD OF MY FELLOW Mrs. Oers! Maybe pratice makes perfect, but you guys have become so much more objective in your fashion critiques and expressing them as well. And although I do not always agree 100% with every post (that would be boring, right!) your posts give me food for thought and give me a peek into the array of perspectives out there. Thanks Mrs. O and Congrats posters.
She always manages to look absolutely breathtaking.
http://cafefashionista.blogspot.com
@ Lilly
Very well said. You make a lot of excellent points. And your mention of whimsical, (interesting but so accurate for describing some of Mrs. O's fashion). Like you accurately mentioned, regular women may not have the time that Mrs. O has at her luxury to think up these whimsical outfits. They still have kids and cooking and cleaning to maintain. So when they stand in front of their closets, they don't have as much time. That is not to say that Mrs. O is not a busy woman either. But she has help that most women don't have. Not to mention that other women go to work everyday, and Mrs. O does not make appearances everyday, though she might be working in her office at the White House.
Also like you rightly said, real women have to follow certain rules (corporate or otherwise) in their lives, while Mrs. O has the luxury of setting her own standards.
I recall once when I tried to recreate an outfit I saw on a celebrity with heels and all. One thing I neglected was to take into consideration my own lifestyle, that i take the subway and I am not chauffeured from one place to the next. It was nice to get the compliments as I walked down 5th Ave, but it didn't take long before I got cold and my feet started hurting and I had to rush into a store to buy me a cardigan and a pair of flats.
You're welcome, Bevi. :)
Okay, in MY opinion this is a definite miss, all the more so after the spectacular "hit" the black Kors dress was the other night. Why, oh, why do we have that S&M lookin' belt up under the bust on top of a lovely soft spring-like blouse? There's gotta be some reason she wears belts there, but for the life of me, I don't get it. It really messes up her proportions and just draws attention to her figure flaws.
* I meant "Thanks Mrs. T" for keeping the blog alive! (typo)
After the Ooohing and aaaahing over her Tuesday night Tme 100 evening outfit, I see some folks on here have returned to their regularly scheduled habit of nitpicking Michelle Obama's clothing and facial expression.
At this rate I think she should just send in her recently unveiled Madam Tussaud wax double to make all public appearances on her behalf. That way there will be no change to her facial expression and fixed smile.
I suppose folks do realize that these are rapid snapshots of a person in the MIDDLE of speaking, right? I wonder how any of the critics here look when they are photographed midstream of talking, eating, yawning, laughing, miming etc.
Michelle Obama, have a blessed day and Happy mother's Day in advance.
After seeing the whole outfit, I love the actual print of the blouse, wish it were buttoned, and without the belt.
But you know how I envision this belt (particularly if it were a black belt)....would be with a crisp white or lavender shirt similar to her date night white blouse (plain back and no ties) tucked into relaxed-fitting black dress pants with a sheen for evening plus heels. I don't think I will ever like this belt like this with anything hanging under it because it almost looks prison-like and harsh. But it has enormous potential. Michelle is always going to do her which is good, but that's just my little dream. Oh well, I'll just have to wait and see but do know this belt will appear again.
Christina:
When I was your age my signature style were dropwaist dresses. I loved that look and really didn't know I had a "style" until my office mate and a particular parishioner at church pointed it out to me.
Now, I an known for my knits (suits and dresses).
I just buy what I think works for my body type and what looks good on me (I am 5'8" and a size 10/12, depending on cut).
You'll find your niche.
I am a clothes horse and still dress corporate in my job (even though it is not required, a lot of women still do).
I am sooo not a floral kinda girl, but I like this top on MrsO (and I not one of those fans that lurves every thing that she does) and I actually like the belt with it (although I do think it is a little high, but I am trying ot get over that because that is obviously where she likes to place her belts). The belt looks purple in some of the pictures I saw and I think it breaks up the blouse, which prevents it from looking old lady-ish. The lavender top underneath serves the same function. If the blouse was buttoned to the top and no belt I think it would look frumpy.
I think I see what she was trying to do here. She tried to wear this blouse like how she would wear her cardigans, by leaving the buttons open at the top and bottom, layering it with a tank and cinching it with a belt. Yet, this is a blouse and has a different style, structure, fabric and pattern.
Christina, keep me posted on the signature style you come out with. I don't have a signature style, but I am happy with that because it allows me to explore many different things. But I am pretty comfortable with being classic but mixing it with edge, so there are many fads and trends that I sit out. I like to focus on what looks good on me. But I like to wear heels and during the sprinjg and summer, I like dresses. I am a girly girl but also like well fitted pieces.
Great picture update, Mrs. T. Soon as I refreshed my page, it showed up.
OK, I know you all must be sick of me by now, but I think I've figured out why Mrs. O is so enamored of belts: she probably thinks that they give her an added bit of cleavage. And before anynone jumps on me, belts are a recommended stylistic trick to give an illusion of an enhanced cleavage. And say what you will, Mrs. O is on the small side in that area (nothing wrong with that, just an observation. I myself would have been happy to be like her because I hate bras and there are some strapless oufits that definitely look better on smaller-endowed women). If I were her, I would just invest in some effective bras. So Mrs O likely uses the belts to reinforce the cleavage effect. Either way, I would love it if she lost most of the belts (Except the Alia one, whcih I can never get enough of)
@Nancy:
"Why, oh, why do we have that S&M lookin’ belt up under the bust on top of a lovely soft spring-like blouse?"
Okay, first, you've got me laughing with the "S&M belt." The blouse says "let me serve you milk and cookies, children!" The belt says "drop and give me 20!"
Honestly, though, I think that's where her WAIST is. She's got a high waist and legs for miles. As a shortie, I'm jealous. Whether her natural waist is best accentuated with a belt is another question, but I think she wears them there because that's where they end up.