Fab. I want this dress now!

Is it just me or is the belt detail lost in black?

She's just not wearing the belt.

Love, love, love this dress. Killer!

Picture perfect. I had no idea it was a long gown, I had assumed it was street length.

Her personal trainer two hours a day three times a week is worth it.

"Spectacular" is a little strong of a word, no? She looks good, but she's wearing a basic black dress and pearls. Not exactly groundbreaking, especially for a first lady. I know the occasion calls for something relatively conservative, but she managed to get rid of the one interesting detail the original dress had (the belt). Blah. I like her, but I don't need to gush over every single thing the woman puts on.

Bailey said...

"Spectacular" is a little strong of a word, no?

No.

Bailey said...

"Spectacular" is a little strong of a word, no?

Yes, it is a strong word and I happen to agree with them. She looks SPECTACULAR!

Bailey, I have no problem with you feeling the need to ALWAYS go against the grain here, but there's no need for the sarcastic/let me put you down response EVERY SINGLE TIME. It's getting old and VERY predictable.

the thing I love about this look is the fact that it makes her look extraordinary, even though it's simple...
And she's so confidant. Exuberant.

" Bailey said...

I like her, but I don't need to gush over every single thing the woman puts on."

Are you suggesting that T Lo "gushes" over everything she puts on? Seriously?

What? I just wrote what I thought. She could put on a McDonald's uniform and I'm sure some would rave about it. They're entitled to their opinion, and I'm not trying to take that away from them, so...what's the big deal? I said it's a plain black dress - and it IS a plain black dress. Sorry I have eyes.

Bailey said...
I said it's a plain black dress - and it IS a plain black dress. Sorry I have eyes.

No, you said a lot more than that and that is the issue here. If you had just said the above I'm sure people would have no problem with your comment. And I'm ending my discussion here. You clearly don't see the difference, Bailey.

Nice try, Bailey, but no. You didn't just point out that you thought the dress was plain, you implied that anyone who likes the dress is "gushing" over "everything" she wears.

She looks gorgeous! I love that dress in any color!

GORGEOUS. Absolutely amazing.

Well, she's always gorgeous, but I'm just not feeling the love for the dress. The collar detail makes her fabulous shoulders look a little too broad and gives her a rather rectangular figure. The belt would have helped with the last bit but since she forwent it, the overall look is sort of a triangle/rectangle thing.

With that, she's wearing the hell outta it and the pearls really give it a great classic first-lady look.

Believe it or not, this dress actually is causing a mild controversy as to whether it is appropriate for a first lady to bare her arms in the official portrait. If you recall a similar bunch of hooey was stirred up when Hillary Clinton posed for her portrait in (gasp) pants.
Of course it is beyond ridiculous to suggest sleeveless is inappropriate for any occasion in the frickin' 21st century. And if I am not mistaken first ladies have appeared in sleeveless evening garb since at least the 1920's. Oh, well anything to sell papers.

Wow, she looks absolutely great in that.

And I'm so sick of the add-a-belt trend (as seen often, including in yesterday's Debra Messing post) that I'm delighted to see remove-a-belt.

The made up "controversy" about her bare arms quickly died down when Jackie's First Lady portrait was brought up.

And is anyone else digging the delicious irony of her posing in front of Thomas Jefferson's portrait? Deliberate?

Congrats to the Duchess!

I could quibble 'bout the drapes (but, look -- Jackie O had a clock comin' outta her head!!!) & wish she'd gone with the original blue, but Michelle looks so lovely in this dress.

What a dynamic vibe.

She looks great. And, considering that all that is required for a First
Lady is that she always look "appropriate," preferably in a conservative way, I enjoy being able to say that.

Thanks Tlo, I was snooping around and the portrait of Jackie I was looking at she was wearing a sleeve.
Huffington should link to Mamie Eisenhower's portrait http://womenshistory.about.com/od/firstladiesus/ig/First-Ladies-Picture-Gallery/Mamie-Eisenhower.htm

and
Florence Harding,
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/firstladiesus/ig/First-Ladies-Picture-Gallery/Florence-Harding.htm

too.

Take a break, ladies an' watch this! (Michelle's dress is cool green, but ain't a great fit - made by Stevie's wife, so there ya go)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MBFLrNZs-Q&feature=related

And is anyone else digging the delicious irony of her posing in front of Thomas Jefferson's portrait? Deliberate?


HAD to be.

Sewing Siren - fabulous finds ... it's a sign of just how awful (and awfully repressed) recent (i.e. since at least Reagan) white house fashion has been that there was even the hint of controversy over the sleeves ... I'm loving the notion of a not-so-buttoned-up first lady.

Yes, our discussion here is (of course) about the dress, but I actually think she exemplifies the notion of dressing simply and exquisitely so that the focus is HER, not the clothes ... unlike that atrocious set of ruffles swallowing Nancy (gag) ... I think the set of Shelley's hand makes the entire photo.

TLo said, And is anyone else digging the delicious irony of her posing in front of Thomas Jefferson's portrait? Deliberate?

I doubt it. There are probably portraits of dead white slaveholders in every formal room of the White House.

"Spectacular" is certainly a word I would use to describe how beautiful Ms. Obama looks in this portrait.
I guess I could diss Laura Bush's endless overly tailored pantsuits, but they suited her.
I recently saw an exhibition of some of Jackie Kennedy's gowns, and there were quite a few sleeveless dresses in the collection.
Mantra: If ya got it, flaunt it.
Good for you, Ms. Obama, you look wonderful!!!! And I am so happy in the official portrait she is wearing on the the Duchess' creations!

As a historian, I would put my money on Michelle Obama's deliberate choice to pose with Jefferson in the background. He both formally articulated early racial ideas to 'explain slavery' and produced the Declaration of Independence--and the paradox has been at the heart of black social justice struggles since 1776. So no accidents there, I'm sure!

And a more relevant comment to a fashion blog: I adore her dress and think this is an example of where simplicity is not basic but confident and female-centric.

she looks absolutely stunning. The dress is cut perfectly for her figure. It is the LBD (albeit long)and pearls updated, modern and fresh. Love it!

DY-O-MITE!

Wow, look at those GUNS!!!!!!!

I agree with Bailey.

you implied that anyone who likes the dress is "gushing" over "everything" she wears.


Hey Anon - do you have the nerve to say that plenty of people do?

If you think this thread is fun, check out this one.

ask said...

you implied that anyone who likes the dress is "gushing" over "everything" she wears.


Hey Anon - do you have the nerve to say that plenty of people do?


Um...what? Do I have the "nerve" to say that people gush over everything she wears? Sure, I guess. I don't know what "nerve" has to do with it.

I just wish her hips weren't facing in a different direction than her upper body. It throws her curves out of proportion in a way, until you look closer and realize that it's the position that she's standing in.

She looks so classic, fabulous, and confident :)

And she is def a natural fit for Michael Kors clothing

I agree with Desert Wind. I'd like to see it on her in the original blue. She's looks really good in the black, though.

Perfection.

Check out another Jackie Kennedy look at her husband's State of the Union address from the last century. She is elegantly sleeveless in a sea of coats,furs, hats and wool suits.
http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid=%7B25A7E78E-D7BC-4C30-970C-A5812B7C0601%7D

I think the dress looks fab on her, but it appears that her hair is trying to steal all the attention. Can it get any higher?

Here's one more first lady who liked to expose a little skin. Mind you it's only short sleeves, not sleeveless, but look at the cleavage! And the rouge *shocking*!
Twohundred years ago, no less.
http://pro.corbis.com/search/Enlargement.aspx?CID=isg&mediauid=%7B25A7E78E-D7BC-4C30-970C-A5812B7C0601%7D
Dolley Madison.

Oopsies,

Here's Dolley
http://www.foundersofamerica.com/FOUNDING_FATHERS_PICTURES_PORTRAITS/Dolley_Madison.htm

She looks stunning and the Duchess should be very proud!

xoxoxoxo

I love this on her but I kinda wish she has chosen the blue....=)

That said though, she looks amazing.

I havent been a huge fan of her choices thus far and have thought she could look so much better. She seems to be getting better each outing and it's great to see =)

Bravo Duchess, you should be very proud =)

"The made up "controversy" about her bare arms quickly died down when Jackie's First Lady portrait was brought up."

Yep, saw that as well and glad some perspective was finally gotten. As if wearing sleeveless even NEEDS to be a controversy....!

Shelly O is so classy that it brings a tear to this Chicagoan's eye. I LOVE HER and she looks PHENOMENAL. Finally, a strong, educated first lady that doesn't look medicated. (I'm talking to you, Laura Bush.)

Love the dress! Perfect for a portrait!

She DOES look beautiful. I'd actually like to see her in the blue version too... I suspect this would be a good color for her.

My only quibble is that, with the black-dress-and-pearls combo, I think she could use a brighter lipstick. She often goes for a nude lip, and I think in this case she could use a bit of color.

My only critique of the otherwise lovely photo is the way a stray flower covers her hand. It makes her hand look awkward. A professional photographer should have noticed that!! :-(

The portrait looks great. I'm thrilled that it is dynamic, modern and fresh.

Maybe not exactly the dress I would have chosen, but I love how it shows off her athletic physique. I wanted the belt, too, when I first saw it, but I am pretty sure it would have cut her in a distracting (and perhaps unflattering) way.

BTW, the Duchess must be STOKED.

Anonymous 1:20 said My only critique of the otherwise lovely photo is the way a stray flower covers her hand. It makes her hand look awkward. A professional photographer should have noticed that!!

You do realize that there were likely dozens, if not hundreds, of photographs taken? And that the final choice for the official portrait would not have been made by the photographer, but by Mrs. Obama and her staff?

She looks stunning.

However, I don't like the way the dress sits on her shoulders. It looks wierdly thick up there, like it doesn't quite fit.

Also don't like the drape pouring out of her head. It's the White House, for heaven's sake. It's not like there weren't other places for her to pose.

And Bailey, we talked about this. Are we gonna have to have another little chat?

I really like it. It's not supposed to be ground-greaking fashion; it's an official portrait.

She got enough flak for showing her arms as being too informal. Screw that. If I had those arms (as a peer of hers, my stumpy arms are totally envious), I'd show them off every damn day!

Janice Dickinson would say her left hand is amputated by the flower, but that's a nice, humanizing touch that keeps it from looking contrived.

Go Shelley O!

I love it, she looks elegant, classic and happy!! I think she looks better than Heidi does in the dress.

Does anyone know if the White House will release this official photo as a postcard? I think she looks amazing and she inspires me. I belong to this online postcard-sending club and I know my postcards going abroad with Michelle's portrait would spread a lot of joy.

She and the Duchess are made for each other. He makes the classic simple lines that work best on her. And yes, her arms are inspiring. Train, train, train!

I think you haven't seen recent first ladies in sleeveless because it's been a loooong time since one was in the kind of shape to pull them off. Her arms are one of her best features and I'm sure she works hard for them, so I don't blame her for showing them off.

Loved the dress. It was basic but classy. Liked it on Heidi, too.

God, I'm SO jealous of the way her waist is so defined! Thinking it over, I think the blue would have been a little over the top for an official portrait. It was kind of an electric shade.

I get what you mean Bailey. I personally think she looks spectacular, but it's not about the dress for me. She just looks so fit and the dress flatters her, but most of all she just looks so happy! That honestly happy smile does it for me every time, I'm incapable of looking at a portrait of her and saying she looks less than spectacular. But that is a very basic dress, she's dressing up the dress and not the other way around for me.

I think she looks young and fab!

I would LOVE to see her in the blue.