Michelle Obama in Barbara Tfank

Elizabeth Wiggs Maas

I kind of love it…but do you think she’s standing in a little bit of a…pregnant-ish position? How amazing would a pregs FLOTUS be? Dare to dream…

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=21413366 Evan Hart

I see what you’re saying, but I think that’s an issue of fit and fabric bringing a great deal of attention to her mid-section. She often stands with her hands clasped that way.

Either way,s he looks amazing.
http://twitter.com/jennawaterford Jennifer Ford

Well, if you subscribe to the “never-been-pregnant actress playing secretly pregnant” school of meaningful acting, then, yes, she is. Otherwise, no, she’s just standing like she always does.
Anonymous

I’m pretty sure that is the LAST thing the Obamas need or want right now, right as the reelection campaign is ramping up.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=621974740 Carolyn Wilson

Nicole Kidman often stands the same way, maybe it’s a tall woman, long arms stance?

bookish

Every time they showed Michelle last night, I’d get all excited looking forward to your commentary in the morning. Then I’d feel a little guilty for not paying better attention to the actual speech.

Anonymous

There was a speech last night?

http://twitter.com/msmoo_to_you Mariel S

I’m so distracted by the crazy show dog pony tail on her left that I can’t get a good look at her dress.

Anonymous

Oh, geez, I didn’t even notice that before.
Anonymous

Total Shitz tzu hair.
Anonymous

I noticed the tats on her neck before the Shih-Tzu hair, but yes, it was distracting.
http://asskickingadviser.com/ Ass Kicking Adviser

Yes! me too! I just wrote the same on my post and then scrolled down and was thankful to see it wasn’t only me. What was she thinking?

Anonymous

Pros: Color and cut are excellent for her; the neckline looks terrific, and the fit at midsection doesn’t bother me.
Cons: Awfully shiny ; I think that’d be fine on another occasion, but seems a bit off for a professional event. She sure does stand out in a sea of gray, though!

Anonymous

I agree with you, especially about the shininess. It’s more a cocktail dress than an important speech dress.

Anonymous

When I was watching the SOTU, I got distracted every time they showed the FLOTUS because i was wondering what ya’ll would say about her dress. I agree with all of your points, but I loved it nevertheless. The neckline of the dress made for a beautiful portrait every time she was shown in crowd shots.

http://twitter.com/DarthJaeda Jaeda Laurez

Exactly- I think this was a “sitting down” dress, because every time they cut to her in the crowd you could only see her from the breastbone up, so it looked beautiful.
- Anonymous
  
  Excellent point. Also, I seriously loved the brooch she added.
- Anonymous
  
  Exactly. Thought it was a great choice to put any visual interest on top, simple but eye-catching. She looked lovely.
Anonymous

And to think that while we were all watching… THEY knew about the Navy SEALS rescuing the hostages in Somalia…

Anonymous

That’s a great color on her: bold without being brash and exuberant without being gaudy. I don’t mind the shine too much. I think she looks gorgeous.

http://twitter.com/foodycatAlicia foodycatAlicia

She really does. It’s not my favourite thing that she has ever worn but the colour makes up for so much!
Anonymous

I agree. I think she looks luminous and have no problem with the shine.

http://twitter.com/Bloodisea Barbora

She looks pretty great…

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1408943482 Becky Ardell Downs

and in related news, what’s with Hillary and that headband? oh sweetie, not the best choice. I think Michelle looks stunning, shine and all. Just gorgeous.

Sobaika Mirza

A lot of people give her grief, but I think it’s hilarious how much Hilary doesn’t give a hoot about fashion. Nor should she have to.

At any rate, I’ll take a headband over a scrunchie or claw clip any day.
- Anonymous
  
  You GUYS! Hilary is the HBC of politics! (Not really. She is the Meryl Streep. But I like this better and so I’m running with it.)
  - Anonymous
    
    Ab-so-LUTE-ly the [fashion] Meryl Streep of politics. Perfect.
- Anonymous
  
  I was saying last night that it’s fascinating that, as her career in the public eye winds down, she’s going back to the hairstyle she had to ditch way back in 1992, at the very beginning of her time on the national stage.
- Anonymous
  
  She is such an amazing woman, but I will admit, I was visualizing cutting her hair. Also, changing Joe Biden’s tie. And gluing John Boehner’s eyeballs to his eyelids so he couldn’t roll them anymore.
  - Anonymous
    
    I have an unopened tube of Super Glue handy.

Anonymous

The neckline is great, the color & fabric let her stand out in the crowd, and she knew she’d basically be shown only from the bustline up on TV, so even if the cut isn’t the best (I agree) and overall it’s too shiny, it did its job last night. So, kudos for the person who helped her pick this–outstanding knowledge of the requirements of the evening.

Cautiously Pessimistic

No, it doesn’t fit well across her midsection, but it was a perfect dress for sitting down in because all the interesting stuff is well above the waist. I tuned in for the speech late, so the only time I saw the dress was when she was already seated. Thought she looked lovely.

Anonymous

Love the color but that top is a mess even on the model.

http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd

I am always happiest with her when she wears intense, saturated colors like this one. She has such gorgeous skin tone it seems to really glow when she does. My only issue, fit-wise is at the arm/shoulder area, where the dress gaps oddly. I can’t tell whether that is the design intent from the model shot.

Anonymous

The entire reason for that dress was to pick her out of a crowd…and I don’t think the electric BLUE color was an accident! I see political statements everywhere! And I think she looked stunning – what a beautiful color and I loved the pin around the neckline – really made the look.

Anonymous

Loved the color on her, but not the rest of it. It flattened out her bust, which is never a good thing.

Anonymous

Completely agreed! I’m not understanding the love the details of the top are getting.

http://twitter.com/Briadru4 Britney

…also, patriotism.

Anonymous

I think she looks fantastic. Agree about the fit through the waist, but I love everything else and think she cuts a striking figure here.

Anonymous

she certainly stands out in the crowd and i love the brooch she added. a very “first lady” touch.

http://asskickingadviser.com/ Ass Kicking Adviser

Oh please! She’s stunning. We’re are just so use to her looking A+ that we criticize an A? She looks great. Great color. Great fit (it can’t be too tight when it’s shiny or the creasing – oy the creasing!).
What the hell was the lady standing next to her thinking when she did her hair that way for the SOTU? She looks like a show dog!

http://www.tomandorenzo.com Tom and Lorenzo

Please keep your comments to the First Lady’s dress.

We can guarantee if we EVER compared a woman to a dog, you and a million other commenters would rightly come down on us like a ton of bricks.
- Anonymous
  
  Plus , she’s just an ordinary working woman like the rest of us. She’s there because she lost her job due to a plant closing and retrained at a Charlotte community college so she could get another job.
  - Anonymous
    
    And she was clearly both thrilled and terrified to be on TV, which was rather touching. I think I’d feel the same way if I were her.
- Anonymous
  
  Sorry T Lo. I had second thoughts after what I posted and came back to delete. Thanks for doing it. It is easy to forget about people’s feelings when you’re just looking at photos.
Anonymous

I didn’t watch the State of the Union Address, but I do know from reports that Warren Buffett’s secretary was going to be sitting up in the balcony, presumably near Mrs. Obama, so, if Debbie Bosanek was the person to whom AKA refers, I think no opprobrium should be leveled at her, a civilian.
- http://joyouslifesf.wordpress.com Kiltdntiltd
  
  Bless you for using opprobrium in a sentence.
  - Anonymous
    
    Thanks. Not only do I use it in my writing, but I also use it in speech as well.
    
    I think, however, upon reflection, that I should have used the verb “directed” rather than “leveled.” Ah well, staircase wit.

Judy_J

Sorry, boys. I gotta disagree…she looks stunning! I’m sure the color was chosen so that she would be easy to spot in the crowd, and it worked.

Anonymous

I think Michelle looks great in blue and the shiny doesn’t bug me.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_EDI2DLE7DE3YPW2ONIHBWOVHMA ecallaw

It looks like she has an ace bandage around her breasts, and it definitely isn’t flattering to her mid-section, as you pointed out.

Anonymous

Disagree with you on this one–she looks beautiful in that dress. Much better than the model. The color is gorgeous on her.

Lattis

Normally I love her in vibrant colors – but for some reason this color looks to me like it would be a better car than a dress. Very very shiny.

Anonymous

I think the color is fantastic on her! I wouldn’t be on most women, but First Lady is pulling it off. I do agree about the fit, however.

Anonymous

Gorgeous!

Anonymous

That saturated blue looks wonderful on her. You know, the shiny is never my favorite, but damn if she doesn’t look like a beacon of hope and sanity in the midst of that looney, dysfunctional Washington crowd. Shine on sister.

Anonymous

I’m missing something here, i really don”t like the cut/style of the dress in the bust. Those criss crossing straps are creating some odd puckering and bunching in the armpits and rendering her bust lumpy and invisible. I agree the midsection seems a bit tight but I think it is the odd bunching at the top that accenuates this. The neckline itself is very, very pretty and the pin and color are perfect, spot on. Not a bad look, just awkward in the bust details.

Anonymous

Hated this while watching last night…looks worse in pics. The sheen is very unflattering. She appears to have a belly and the fit above the boobs is off too. Good color though.

MilaXX

Like the color, agree a matte fabric would have been better

Anonymous

I think she looks great. I love the addition of the brooch -do we know anything about it?
Overall it is a tad shiny. I think knowing she would need to be easy to identify on screen in a 1second cutaway I think it works. And you probably had ti hunt to find a full shot of it because mostly she was seen sitting or from the waist up.

Anonymous

Yeah, not my favorite dress for her either. The fit is horrible on this thing and it’s making her look flat-chested and pot-bellied, which we know she is not.
On the bright side, the woman was born to wear color and her hair looks really pretty.

http://twitter.com/ILikeShiny Cindi Williams

I like shiny (that’s my Twitter handle), but not this shiny.

http://www.facebook.com/people/Patrick-Cleary/1201575213 Patrick Cleary

You two have had such an influence on me…I saw the pics and thought, “Too shiny, bad fit,” and then scrolled down. I’m learning fashion!

http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

The fit is what really ruins it. The fact that its shiny only brings light to the fit issue. I don’t love the X at the collar. In theory its a great idea, but in execution its a mess.

Anonymous

Here’s a link to a video of her entrance into the First Lady’s box. She looks stunning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW1vF2KolnU&feature=related

Anonymous

She definitely looks preggers….not impressive.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=555593309 Alexis Peñafuerte Wenceslao

She should really do something about those scary evil stepmother eyebrows.

Anonymous

I gasped when she first entered the chamber. I even squealed to my husband: Look at the First Lady!
She stood out in the perfect way for a fashionable FLOTUS. I have no issues with it. Stunning color on her.

Anyone know of a link to a closeup of the pin? I love it.

Anonymous

Mrs. O says it’s an Alexis Bittar.
- Anonymous
  
  Thanks, SS
  Some lovely and intriguing pieces on his website, which is also quite entertaining.
  Don’t see Mrs. O’s piece at first glance.
  
  Added: There is a great little video with him talking about his jewelry
  on this link: http://www.alexisbittar.com/blog/
  
  Scroll down to FASHION TV, dated January 10, 2012
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZBFH32YG44LIIZYLSQPMBXMYCU Sarah

I thought so, too. Its pretty! Maybe a little off on the fit, but no complaints.
Anonymous

I agree. She looks lovely!

R. L.

She has definitely looked better, I love the color and I love the pin. I don’t love the shininess and the way fit. FLOTUS’ chest looks awkward in it.

Anonymous

definitely the fit on the chest area was off….. that’s the only thing that bothered me… the rest she looked divine!

Stefanos Mantyla

Agreed. Not my favourite from her, but she sure knows how to dress strategically.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1043171034 Tadiana Walton Jones

Best color I’ve ever seen on her, and I kind of love the neckline detail. Points off for the shininess and the fit, but overall definitely one in the WIN column.

Anonymous

I swear they showed a photo on Today this morning of her standing behind the Pres while he was on the phone with the father of one of the Somalian hostages, but for the life of me I can’t find it now. Anyway, the dress looked way less shiny there, from what I can remember. I think, like many others have said, that she looks really great in bold, saturated colors. Sometimes she wears things that are bold, but dull, and they don’t do her any favors.

Tracy Edmunds

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71942.html

Anonymous

I thought it looked like a bridesmaid dress. I was so looking forward to what she would be wearing and it fell flat.

Anonymous

You guys have so put me off shiny… used to love, love, love, (the inner 7 year old in me, I ‘spose)… but now, all I see are the problems!!

Anonymous

I think the biggest problem with shiny is the way it photographs. You don’t have to give up the shiny!

Anonymous

I like the neckline treatment but it does seem to make the dress lay a bit oddly on top, and the dress doesn’t fit her as well as some of her others have. These are fairly small fit issues, but shiny fabrics always seem to magnify them. However, I agree with other kittens about the color–beautiful on her, really makes her stand out without looking too showy.

Anonymous

Wow, quibbles about fit and shininess aside, she looked like a gust of fresh air sweeping into that sea of mediocrity. That’s a wonderful color on her!

Susan Crawford

THIS is the way FLOTUS should roll! What a knockout. The color was divine, the fit of the dress was sheer perfection, and the gleaming fabric, to me, was just enough to make her stand out without looking TOO tinselly. (And any fabric with a bit of shine tends to look even shinier under the glare of flashbulbs and TV lights.) She was, in short, every inch the self-confident, chic and independent woman of influence. Brava!

Anonymous

In that sea of darkness — POW! There she is! Very effective and she looks great.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1303837450 Lauren Dorsee Dillon

Funny, I was watching the SOTU, saw her, and immediately thought, “TLo are not going to dig the shine.” But I like it. She stands out which, I suspect, was the aim all along.

Julie Fountain

I love the dress, though I agree about the fit around the midsection. Hair and makeup are great too, I think she looks stunning. I do wish she’d stop making that pursed-lip face she makes often in photos – much rather see her smile!

Pam Winters

Gorgeous color. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her really look bad. I like the brooch as well.

Pam Winters

Thanks. Please tell her I said hi.

Tricia Coyle

I love the color, and the brooch is a great accessory for this dress. The fit is not perfect, but she’s a real woman. I love that FLOTUS doesn’t feel compelled to wear a suit to events like this.

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1129137319 Paula Pertile

I liked it. All we saw was the top half, really, anyway. It was that gal’s hair next to her that was distracting.

Anonymous

It looks like the weirdness around her bustline and armpitular area is more due to her bra/undergarments than the dress.

i think she looks stunning. I hope more and more little girls look up to her as a role-model, rather than pop stars and starlets.

Anonymous

I think she looked great. I would be ecstatic to look this good. I particularly liked her accessories. It’s also pretty cool that she was sitting with Mark Kelly.

Cathy S

That first line nearly had me inhaling diet coke through my nose. Thanks guys! I agree about the dress. It’s a pretty color but it’s too shiny. And I don’t like the shape. But she looks fantastic in that picture where she’s walking through the crowd and she’s a splash of shiny blue in a sea of boring.

Anonymous

Gorgeous color and brooch. The shininess seems to vary at different angles/pictures. It doesn’t bother me since I’m like a raccoon and naturally drawn to shiny, sparkly things. The fit, however, is an issue and it even looks awkward on the model. It’s a “stand completely still” dress.

Anonymous

Dissenting opinion here. I though you would give this a WERQ! It manages a very satisfying fashion haiku: a modest, almost professional-office-ready shape and style, in a fabric that recognizes that she is ALWAYS in the limelight (I don’t mind the shiny for this reason). A color that manages to be flattering, patriotic and serious-occasion appropriate. Simple styling that also honors the importance of the event. WERQs for me, totally. And I am not always in Shelly-O camp, style wise.

Anonymous

I don’t like the shininess, but this dress is a success because she stands out in it. And it was a very smart choice to wear blue, as a Democrat.

Anonymous

LOVE it. (Can you imagine Laura Bush rocking this dress?)

Anonymous

I don’t mind the sheen, but the midsection really doesn’t fit well. Beautiful color and I’m intrigued by the brooch.

http://www.joannao.blogspot.com JoannaOC

Shiny! I love how she just glows in the sea of black, with that gorgeous color. It’s a great dress for the visual effect of having her glow like a jewel.

Anonymous

I love the color on her, but the style and shine make it a bit Mother-of-the-Bride.

Anonymous

what’s FLOTUS?

Anonymous

First Lady of the United States

marilyn

I think the dress was made to be worn without a necklace, brooch, etc. The fabric forms an x at the neck, and is supposed to be the focal point of it. If she were going to wear any jewelry at the neck, a nice thick strand of pearls would have been nice, or some other bold piece.

Sarah Thomas

You two are on crack today. She looked specfuckingtacular.

Anonymous

Well, she’s certainly representing the blue states! I like it.

Anonymous

So stunning. She always looks stylish and regal. I am so proud she’s our nation’s First Lady!

Anonymous

Beautiful color on her. She sure can rock the jewel tones! But def a fit issue in the tummy and the shiny doesn’t help.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3AJ237ND3GAHDQJZ4TLCO4WLRA Emily

i kindalove it.

http://profiles.google.com/grandiva1968 e jerry powell

I always love Michelle In Blue, but I still don’t get the notion of a Resort collection.

Cheri Lee

I loved it!

http://twitter.com/#!/Space_Kitty Space Kitty

Non-shiny fabric in the darker blue the model is wearing would have absolutely killed. But she’s having a great hair day, isn’t she?

glennethph

Hm. At least, it’s not one of those high-waisted numbers she favors. Or is it?

Anonymous

Too shiny, yes.

But I’m betting it was chosen for the neckline & the standout color.

BTW, in the Why Fashion Collection ‘Seasons’ Make No Sense To Average Humans department, could it be any more counter-intuitive that one can find the First Lady’s dress for the State of the Union Address in a “Resort” collection?

Call me Bee

It’s a gorgeous color, but i agree about the shine. Not the best.

http://twitter.com/charlesqueerty Oh, Behave!

IMO, she’s killing it.

Anonymous

My daughter just said, Michelle Obama is a style icon, and you know what? She is right! Obama is much more of a style icon than Sarah Jessica Parker or any of a half dozen other women who are supposedly style “icons.” She takes chances, she gives young and unknown designers a leg up, she looks wonderful most of the time. She is my style icon!!! (Well, Iman also!)

Anonymous

It’s a great color and she certainly stands out but the the good ends there. It’s way too shiny, looks like a cocktail dress or a dress for a guest at a wedding (and not really appropriate for the occasion), and the fit is terrible. Her boobs are squashed flat and it makes her look like she has a big belly.

Anonymous

Love the vibrant colors on her. Don’t love the dress but man she does know how to stand out in a crowd. In the picture where she is walking down the steps, there is no question that she is a First Lady.

Anonymous

I think she was trying to invoke “military” without going Military.

elzatelzabelz

I adore the color, but the middle makes her look a wee bit…um, not svelte. But, way to amp up the volume!

Anonymous

It looks like that’s a brooch and not part of the dress. Good choice.

Anyone know who the Yorkshire Terrier next to her is?

Anonymous

Gosh, guys, I think Michelle looks pretty damn fabulous. It’s not my favorite. Still, I think it’s pretty. The color is a stunner.

http://www.lindamerrill.com Linda Merrill

Too dressy and shiny for the event. Screaming “BLUE STATES UNITE!!!” a little bit too loudly. Otherwise, she looks great as always.

http://twitter.com/moodring54 Rachel

Huh. The other night I gasped because she looked so good, but looking at these still pics I’m hit with a resounding meh. The color is still spectacular, at least.

Anonymous

That color looks GREAT on her.

http://profiles.google.com/grandiva1968 e jerry powell

Michelle Obama could have worn that dress in a debriefing in Haywire. Michelle as a rogue CIA agent! With great shoes!

Get on this, people…

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Michelle Obama in Barbara Tfank

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