Outfitted for a Queen

The Obamas arrived in France yesterday after a fashion-filled trip to London. Reporters and fashion bloggers fawned over her ensembles, like this splendid yellow Jason Wu dress that seems to be made out of the same fabric as a dress from his new Fall 2009 collection:


Michelle Obama in Jason Wu dress, Michael Kors jacket, and Azzedine Alaia belt
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Jason Wu, Fall 2009, New York
Style.com

But aside from this smokin' hot dress, I have to say that I agree with Cathy Horyn of the New York Times, who writes,

If the fashion and retail industries weren’t in such a funk, and maybe if the general media knew more about fashion so that it didn’t seem to be panting before every cardigan, there might be less fuss about Michelle Obama’s European wardrobe, which is pretty consistent with what the First Lady has been wearing--with a few more bells and whistles.

For instance, Michelle wore a slightly more sparkly version of her typical J.Crew cardigan-and-skirt uniform:


Michelle Obama in J.Crew Crystal Constellation Cardigan and Dazzling Dots Skirt (Sold Out)
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It's pretty and flattering, for sure, and she does look a million times better than the average politician's wife (save Carla Sarkozy). But it's nothing new or fashion-forward. And considering how dazzling she looks in the edgy Jason Wu dress and studded Alaia belt, I don't think she needs prim Dazzling Dots and oversized pearls.

And I wasn't a fan of her Isabel Toledo black and white dinner dress with a high waist and bow:


Michelle Obama in an Isabel Toledo dress and Alaia cardigan, and some other people
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I think this outfit was a disappointment--the little-girlish-ness of the skirt and the bow at the waist, the prissy pearls. It seems like a stereotypical dress to wear for tea and crumpets with the Queen, and I don't think it quite works for her figure. I wish she had worn a sleek sheath, don't you?

The moral of the story: Stick to your fashion guts, Mrs. Obama. You always look best with bare arms, bright colors, and a smattering of studs.