Category Archives: Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama embraces the Indian fashion and culture

Posted on November 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

Dinner in India (theobamadiary.com)

After taking part in a Diwali celebration, dancing with some children and then, speaking at a university in India yesterday, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama paid a visit to the residence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and First Lady Gursharan Kaur of India. The two couples dined together after the Prime Minister and President Obama held a joint press conference at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India.

What Michelle Obama wore to this press conference and dinner has everyone talking! The first lady chose to dress in a garment which definitely shows that she is embracing  the Indian culture. Mrs. Obama wore a simple, black top and full, ankle-length skirt, She paired this look with a Dries Van Noten jacket (seen here) and a gold and silver tassel necklace, designed by Ranjana Khan. Surprisingly enough, the jacket does not at all look like it is from the Indian culture when paired with different articles of clothing, as seen in the runway shot. However, the way Michelle styled her ensemble, it looks as though it was purchased in India. The tassel definitely adds that extra touch of Indian culture, perhaps too much?

Yesterday, I noted that I loved Michelle’s ability to be herself wherever she goes, but was I too quick to pay her that compliment? Is this outfit “Michelle”?

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Posted in Foreign First Ladies, Michelle Obama, Obama Asia Tour

President and Michelle Obama dance in India

Posted on November 7, 2010 | 1 comment
Michelle Obama dances

Michelle Obama dances with the children in India (Reuters)

President and Michelle Obama were very active yesterday in India, their second day on the couple’s tour of the country, and Michelle’s outfit changes testify to it. The president and first lady began their day at Holy Name High School, located in Mumbai, where they participated in a Diwali celebration, which included dancing with a group of children. Take a look at the video below to view Michelle Obama dancing, and even see President Obama join in at the end of the video!

For this exciting event, Michelle was dressed in a black and white, textured dress paired with a bright pink cardigan. With this ensemble, she wore a chunky Tropical Punch necklace, designed once again by Ericson Beamon. Michelle has been wearing quite a few pieces by this designer lately; perhaps he is becoming one of her favorite designers?

After this fun activity, President Obama and Michelle visited St. Xavier’s College in New Delhi where Mrs. Obama delivered an address to a crowd of students. For this speech, Michelle exchanged her pink cardigan for a black and white blazer, a perfect match to her dress. She then cinched in her upper torso with a skinny black belt. Michelle looks great in this modern twist of a dress suit.

Finally, after their duties as president and first lady concluded, the couple took a stroll, hand in hand, in New Delhi, touring Humayun’s Tomb. Michelle changed again for this casual afternoon walk. This time, she wore a Paul Som custom, pastel blue dress with detailed pleating at the waist. She added a matching cardigan with an embellished brooch to complete this outfit.

Preisdent Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama

Preisdent Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama (Jim Watson/Getty Images)

It is nice to see Michelle dancing around and not afraid to completely be herself, even when in another country. These two ensembles show that Michelle likes the classic styles with a bit of pizazz thrown into the mix, such as her bright cardigan and chunky necklace.  This first lady has a wardrobe with a wide variety! What do you think about the Mrs. Obama’s  fashion choices?

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Posted in Michelle Obama, Obama Asia Tour, President Barack Obama

All Fun and Games in India

Posted on November 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

First Lady Michelle Obama in India (Solaris Images/Getty Images)

After touring the Taj Mahal and the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum yesterday, First Lady Michelle Obama made a quick fashion change before visiting a group of children at a local university near Mumbai. She danced, sang and even kicked off her shoes to play some hopscotch with these children who were enrolled in “Make A Difference,” a program to help underprivileged students learn English. Young adults in the community volunteer their time and serve as mentors to these children, helping them learn through readings, games and many more fun activities.

For this fun event, Michelle changed into a casual, easygoing outfit. She paired a J. Crew Moss Olive Lace Tee (available here) with a tiered, floral skirt. She finished off her look by pinning another Erickson Beamon brooch to her blouse and adding a pair of leather ballet flats. This look is again another different look for Michelle. However, it seems as though this fun-loving, eclectic look fits Mrs. Obama. She is having fun and trying to fit in with the culture. Although she may not look ready to walk across the red carpet or even through the streets of the United States, she is attempting to fit in with the Indian style and doing a great job.

What do you think about this look? Should she wear this style in America or keep it in India?

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Posted in Michelle Obama, Obama Asia Tour

Michelle Obama in India: Fashion Faux Pas?

Posted on November 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

President Obama and Michelle Obama (Getty Images)

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle landed in Mumbai, India yesterday to begin their tour of the country. They began their visit at the 26/11 Memorial at the great Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel. After this, the couple next toured the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum.

For her grand entrance into India the first lady chose to wear a rather solemn, gray dress. This ensemble is definitely a new look for Michelle. It featured full-length, ruched sleeves and tiny buttons stretching from the top of the dress to the mid thigh. She topped this look off with some metallic flats and a three-strand pearl necklace.

Gazing at this ensemble, you may find yourself asking “What on earth was she thinking?” No worries, I too thought this when I first glanced at the dress. However, perhaps Michelle was trying to go for a more somber look to honor the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks? Nonetheless, she could have opted for a dress with a better fit. This dress is absolutely nothing less than hideous. The long stretch of buttons down the first lady’s torso only draws attention to her mid-section, making her silhouette appear larger than she actually is.

Please stay away from this look!

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Posted in Faux Pas?, Michelle Obama, Obama Asia Tour

Flying in Fashion, Desitination: India

Posted on November 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

President and First Lady Obama (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters)

Yesterday afternoon, President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama departed the White House in pursuit of India. The couple will begin their tour of India today in Mumbai, honoring the victims of the terrorist attacks. Upon departure yesterday, Michelle Obama was dressed in a blue, floral dress, khaki coat. With this ensemble she wore black tights and knee-high boots, a staple this fall season. What do you think about this casual look on Michelle?

(J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

In my opinion, this outfit looks great on Michelle! Khaki is the perfect color for the change of seasons. Her dress is also great. The ruching of material in the middle of this dress accentuates Mrs. Obama’s waistline, making it appear smaller to the eye.

After visiting Mumbai, the president and first lady will be making many other stops, for both business and pleasure, including a few dinners with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and First Lady Gursharan Kaur of India. The first couple will even be joining the Prime Minister and his wife at a state dinner in Delhi on Monday night. Perhaps Michelle Obama will choose to honor the Indian culture by wearing another dress by Naeem Khan as she did at a previous state dinner held at the White House (seen here). What do you think? According to The Wall Street Journal, Michelle “has three or four amazing other dresses” designed by Naeem Khan.

Any predictions on what Michelle will be wearing this week?

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Posted in Foreign First Ladies, Michelle Obama, Obama Asia Tour

Michelle on the Ellen DeGeneres Show

Posted on October 29, 2010 | Leave a comment

Yesterday morning First Lady Michelle Obama showed America her dance moves on Ellen. Mrs. Obama was joined on the show by Dr. Jill Biden. Although these two women have attended several events together, their appearance on Ellen, hosted by Ellen DeGeneres, marked Michelle and Jill’s first joint interview. The two women used this opportunity on the show to speak out against bullying. (Watch the video below.)

For this event, Michelle chose to wear a pink sweater set and printed pencil skirt. She accessorized this ensemble with a gorgeous, gem ribbon necklace from Talbots, available here. In this outfit, Michelle is the absolute epitome of first lady style, high fashion, yet classy. She needs to stick with this look.

How do you think Michelle looks here?

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Posted in Jill Biden, Michelle Obama

Looking Lovely in Leather Boots

Posted on October 21, 2010 | 1 comment

Michelle Obama (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted the White House Garden Fall Harvest. For this event, she was joined by students from Tubman and Bancroft Elementary schools.

For this casual, outdoor occasion, Michelle dressed in a herringbone shirt from the Thakoon Winter 2010 Collection, slim-fitting black pants and a pair of gorgeous, Tory Burch Connell Chain-Trim Boots (see here).

This entire outfit looks incredible on Michelle. I, personally, wish I owned this look myself; however, my college student bank account cannot afford this expensive style. By far, my favorite part of his ensemble is Michelle’s leather boots. Although, as I have mentioned before (see article here), I find it quite humorous that Michele has chosen to never again wear fur, and has even been pictured in PETA adds, yet still wears leather. Is there something wrong with this picture? You be the judge.

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Posted in Let's Move Campaign, Michelle Obama

Maybe Not So Dashing in Donna?

Posted on October 18, 2010 | 3 comments

Michelle Obama, Sarah Jessica Parker and Jill Biden (Stephen Chernin/AP Photo)

First Lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden both appeared at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee in New York City this evening. Before the event, Mrs. Obama attended a dinner hosted by designer Donna Karan, which might explain Michelle’s outfit of choice.

For this event Michelle Obama chose to wear a Donna Karan draped halter dress (see here) in a rich, charcoal color. Her hair was pinned up in a chic, pompadour bun, and she completed her look with a chunky necklace designed by Erickson Beamon (also the designer of many of Michelle’s chunky, statement belts). Dr. Biden also looks quite fashionable, wearing figure-flattering dress with cow neckline and accented with a brooch. Perhaps she has upped her look in order to compete with the iconic style of Michelle? We all know Michelle was the first to add the brooch to a simple frock.

Tropical Punch (Showroom Seven for Erickson Beamon)

I absolutely love this look on Jill Biden; she looks fabulous. I am also a fan of this teased bun on Michelle. However, no offense to Donna Karan, but this dress looks hideous on the first lady. I think this is one of those dresses that only look good on rail-thin models of the runway. It gathers in too many places on Michelle’s silhouette, making her appear larger than she actually is. On the other hand, I have always been a fan of the talented Erickson Beamon, and he has yet to let me down! I adore this overstated necklace, and love that Michelle wore her hair up to show it off.

How do you think these two women of D.C. look?

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Posted in Campaign Trail, Jill Biden, Michelle Obama

Obama Fashion on the Campaign Trail

Posted on October 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

President Obama and Michelle (Saul Loeb/Getty Images)

Yesterday afternoon, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hit the campaign trail together! The first couple traveled to Cleveland, Ohio to speak at a Democratic fundraiser, supporting Governor Strickland. After this event, the president and first lady headed to Columbus for a Democratic National Convention rally.

President Obama kept his usual, professional look, wearing slacks, button-down shirt and sport coat. However, he chose to go without a tie for this occasion. Michelle paired an inverted, lace top with blue trousers and ballet flats. What is interesting about this look? Well, we’ve actually seen this blouse on Michelle before, quite recently actually. Earlier in October, Mrs. Obama wore this top as she departed Camp David; however, last time, she wore the top the opposite direction. The first lady has a flip flop blouse that can be worn either way! I definitely prefer the lace in front.

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Posted in Campaign Trail, Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama

Lady in Red

Posted on October 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

In first impressions, a women’s clothing can play a major role in describing her characteristics and how others subconsciously view her. First ladies have become known and partially defined by the garments they wear. Thanks to a long line of chic women of the White House, when one thinks of the first lady, they envision beauty, elegance, grace and charisma, all tied together with a string of knowledge.

Nancy Reagan (Wikipedia)

Throughout the centuries, the first ladies have had various different styles and fashion tastes which embodied each woman’s personality; one may have favored the trendy styles of bargain retailers, while another preferred the elegant fashions of French designers. Although each first lady had different fashion sense, one color can unify them all and almost even capture the essence of who the first lady is and should aspire to be – demure, yet bold in her beliefs and meek, yet self-confident. Only this one color can encompass Jackie Kennedy’s elegance, Nancy Reagan’s poise, the tender heart of Laura Bush, the spunk of Grace Coolidge and the engaging smile of Michelle Obama, the color red.

The vibrant color of red signifies confidence and passion, the two attributes by which first ladies are defined. When speaking on issues at hand, the first lady needs to be passionate; nothing gets done in the world unless there is someone passionate about doing it. In whatever she does, it is vital that the first lady be confident in herself and her husband, the president. Without having faith in the arrangements you are caring out, nothing will go according to plan. After all, if you do not have confidence in your own plans, why expect that anyone else will?

If you want to be seen as elegant and poised, confident and passionate, throw on your red dress.

Take the First Lady fashion quiz and test your knowledge of the First Ladies’ styles. How many can you answer right? Click HERE.

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Posted in Former First Ladies, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama, Nancy Reagan