I really thought Pres. Obama was going to come to the London Olympics Opening Ceremony, but I guess not. It’s fine because he sent Michelle Obama, and she quickly became the cheerleader-in-chief for Team USA. These are some photos of Michelle being received at Buckingham Palace just before the Opening Ceremony – note the way she looks at Queen Elizabeth. It’s priceless. Michelle was escorted to the Palace and to the Opening Ceremony by the American ambassador to the Court of St. James (our ambassador to the UK, but that’s what it’s really called, FYI). Michelle’s outfit is J. Mendel – I love it on her. Just enough sparkle, and still very summery. FLOTUS was in London for a full day before the Olympics started, meeting with American athletes, hanging out with David Beckham, and doing some interviews. Here are some highlights:
“Beyond proud” is how Michelle Obama told U.S. Olympians she felt while meeting with them on Friday morning, as the world awaits the evening’s opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Over breakfast at an east London sports center with some of Team USA – including women’s basketball players, fencing competitors and members of the track and field squad – the First Lady praised the inspiration they provide to those watching back home.
“Some of my fondest memories growing up and as an adult involve watching the Olympics on TV,” Mrs. Obama told them. “My family would sit together for hours watching these men and women perform feats of endurance speed that would have us cheering at the top of our lungs.”
She added, “My brother and I would dream about how maybe one day we might be able to achieve something just as great for ourselves.”
Mrs. Obama also told those gathered how her father, an athlete himself, battled MS, which over seven years changed him from “a thriving competitor” (as a boxer and swimmer) to someone on crutches.
“The Olympics for him was a special time for him to watch amazing athletes perform on the world stage,” said the First Lady. “You never know who are inspiring: from a family on the South Side of Chicago to a young athlete going to pick up a soccer ball or start running after watching something you all do.”
Noting that “we are all proud of you all,” Mrs. Obama also had some advice. “Try to have some fun. Try to breathe and take it in. But also win!”
Later, swim star Summer Sanders described the scene at the American Ambassador’s home in London – where Mrs. Obama was also a special guest – as “the best backyard party in town.”
Spurred on by the University of Florida Gator Marching Band and whoops of approval from about 1,000 kids, many from U.S. military families based in the U.K. (and to whom the First Lady gave a special thanks), Mrs. Obama sprinted to a stage platform and said, “We are so incredibly proud of you, and anytime I get the chance to show you guys love, I do it.”
The children – who were joined by such athletes as David Beckham, Carl Lewis, Teresa Edwards and Shawn Johnson – were there for a day of sports and musical entertainment, all part of Mrs. Obama’s Let’s Move program to promote healthy exercise and eating.
But the main message of the day was about making healthy choices and never giving up.“We love you,” said the First Lady. “But we want you to take care of yourselves, help your families, turn off the TV, eat some vegetables – yeah, that’s part of it! – because we want you guys to grow up to have the future you deserve. Is that a promise?”
I like Michelle’s pep-talk: have fun, take it all in, but seriously, WIN.
And for a moment of bipartisanship, here are some photos of Mitt and Ann Romney, who were also at the opening ceremony. I know Mitt left soon after (he flew from London to Israel), but I believe Ann is staying because one of her horses (Rafalca!) is competing in dressage (with rider Jan Ebeling). Ann is really, really into the horse world, and I saw her interview with Matt Lauer (Mitt was there too), and you could tell how excited she was. Also: Ann is super-pretty. She has a really beautiful face. I know y’all are going to yell at me no matter what I say, so I just decided to be really superficial. Ann Romney is a beauty. And Michelle Obama is adorable.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Michelle looks lovely.
I second that.
I agree. I almost always love her fashion choices
The dress is okay, but those SHARPIE eybrows have got to go!
Yah, it would really suck if she was wasting america’s working class money on despicable ensembles.
The Obamas have their own money too from the President’s book sales. Their income was $3 million and change last year according to their tax returns.
Does America buy your clothes? That’s such a dumb statement. Most of her clothes designers send for her to wear.
FLOTUS is in a tough spot fashion wise because she reps the US and has to look “proper” but she still has a nice body and probably doesn’t want to wear a “tent” just to be “appropriate” for her job as First Lady. I think she draws a nice balance between the two most of the time. I like her dress. I don’t understand what everyone is saying about picture #6 though – looks normal to me.
Love Michelle. She’s the best First Lady ever.
she looks so lovely!
Michelle can wear anything and make it look amazing
No Duchess Kate and Michelle Obama? 😀 She was there and the two of them shook hands.
And Romney probably didn’t stay since he put his foot in his mouth by questioning the way Great Britain was handling security for the Olympics. The British Prime Minister basically scolded him for insinuating that not enough was being done.
Sixth picture is hilarious 😀
I really feel sorry for you guys if Mitt Romney wins the election…I just heard awful things about him, he’s definitely not worthy being the president of the USA.
…I doubt it
Me too. Ken & Barbie will be put back on the shelf by November 7th.
It will be another election of the “lesser of two evils”
Why can’t we get any good candidates out of our selection process?
Gah.
Because we’re a two party system, so only the most middle of the road candidates can get anywhere.
You “heard” really “bad” things about Romney? That’s not surprising. The American press is doing its damndest to make him look incompetent. And what did you hear, exactly?
He’s not qualified to be president? And…what exactly made then-Sen. Obama qualified to be president? Obama, who has never run a business, knows nothing about how the private sector works, and thinks credit should go to the government if small businesses are successful (and no, that’s not “out of context” — I heard what he said multiple times, in its entirety). Americans were sick of Bush and excited to elect a bi-racial president. Which is all fine and well, except that he’s terribly incompetent and our economy is totally in the shitter.
Liberals are in total denial about this, but chances are very, very good that Romney will win in November. You won’t see evidence of that in polls, or on NBC, but trust me. There’s a large, seething, mostly-silent majority of us who don’t find Romney perfect, and may even disagree with him on several issues (as a Libertarian, I do), but find him much more attractive as a candidate than Obama. Again, liberals and Europeans will balk at that assertion, but mark my words.
Thank you… You saved me a lot of typing!
“I’ve heard”! Seriously? Do some non paritsan research, and educate yourself.
Yeah watch Fox News if you want to know why Mittens is not awful! Haha Turd you are indeed.
I love her outfit! It is gorgeous, flattering, and appropriate. Love it.
Also, who is the gigantic whale-man next to FLOTUS in half the pics? He’s blocking my view of the First Lady.
Beautiful. Classy.
“but I believe Ann is staying because one of her horses ..”
She is in Israel with him.
… shows how much they care.
At least they get the $ 77.000 tax credit.
I’m sure you get all your news from watching the Daily Show and MSNBC, but he didn’t get a $77,000 tax credit. He got a $50 tax credit.
Oh, sorry, JUST 50k tax credit~nice try, Turd. A surprisngly apt name for your political defense of Romney. He is a sexist, racist, white elite religious extremist with a lot of money, with which he is trying to outright buy our government. If you don’t think that he will try to impose his religion on ALL aspects of his potential presidency, you are flat out wrong. If you are NOT a mormon, it doesn’t matter what he says to you~how he treats you~how this world gets destroyed because ONLY mormons matter in that religion, and who cares if the whole world goes to hell because the mormons have their nicely dvided heavenly kingdoms to go to. Which don’t allow non-mormons, by the way. Fanaticism disguised as relgiion or spirituality is STILL fanaticism, and a dangerous weapon for any “leader” to wield.
I believe the tax credit was 50 DOLLARS.
Michelle Obama dresses too informal and too young for her age, She should take some pointers from Kate Middleton. Look at the side view of her in that dress! Horrible
Could not disagree more. Whether you love or hate her style, it’s always age and occasion appropriate. Are you saying this dress is meant for a young woman? I think it’s more matronly than youthful, if I had to choose between the two. And informal?? Should she have worn a prom dress? I respect other people’s opinions but this one doesn’t make sense.
If Michelle wants advice on how to dress a good 10-15 years older than she is, then you’re absolutely right, Kate Middleton is the perfect person to go to for advice. Otherwise, carry on, Mrs. Obama, you’re doing fine.
What exactly is horrible about the side-view? She has a butt. She’s not thin. She’s healthy.
@The Original Mia – LOL – You are so right. I actually like how both Michelle OBama and The Duchess of Cambridge dress but I do wish The duchess would dress just slightly less conservative like mayebe some sexy shoes, at the very least. I love Michelle OBama and as for Kate she is head and shoulders above the trashy dressing that comes out of the United States so they are both good in their own ways, but sometimes I think Kate tries just a tab bit hard to overcome her “commoner” roots by going about the job of being a Princess just a bit too seriously, I mean she dresses like the queen who is what 50 or so years older than her.
Michelle dresses great, non stuffy and this might sound odd but approachable. If I have one criticism, it’s her eyebrows, it’s makes her look as if she is constantly surprised, thicker and less of an arch would suit her better. But honestly even that is really minor
Her chest looks a little … hanging low from the side view. And Mrs. Obama, please, shoulders back!
*sigh*
I definitely agree with the first part of your post. Think she’s too young for KM’s style too. And Ann Romney is beautiful.
MO is not Mamie Eisenhower (past 1st Lady with frumpy taste), so don’t expect her to dress like it. Michelle is still pretty young (more of a Jackie Kennedy 1st Lady) and she’ going to dress like it. Jeesh, it’s tough being 1st Lady!
You forgot to mention Barbara Bush.
BB was quite frumpy and wore a lot of nubbly plaid suits (not that I have anything against plaid – just saying that it’s generally not high fashion). People used to compare her critically to the one-pound Nancy Reagan and her sparkly 80’s dresses.
I like her dress (I actually think it’s two pieces). She is a tall woman (5’11”) and she does a good job of dressing for her height. She really can’t wear too high of a heel. I think she’s appropriately formal for this event (outdoors, summer, Olympics) and age-appropriate. Her style of dressing reminds me of the 1950s. I’m 5’12” 🙂
and would love to own her clothes and shoes!
This is the first outfit she’s worn that I don’t feel like vomiting over. No belt…thankfully…It makes her high waist not appear high..Amen to that. She always dresses in things that look one size too small. This time I think she got it right. I think she needs a stylist..or a new one if she’s already got one. More conservative and less patterns and bright colors.
I like the white choice, but the pleated skirt is too informal for the occasion, too “Swiss boarding school.”
I don’t like it when people manhandle the First lady or become overly friendly. It’s take away from the office, IMHO. I need (a) the Queen.
Michelle has been great. Her interactions with Team USA have been so much fun, without the formality one would think FLOTUS would have with a group of athletes.
I like Michele Obama. She’s been an exceptionally good first lady. I hope she 4 more years as first lady. I’m taking the lesser of two evils when it comes voting for Obama again. I know it’s pathetic, but that seems to be our choices.
I don’t understand the comment,the lesser of the 2 evils. There is a clear choice between a large oppressive central government which controls and regulates all aspects of your life or a smaller government giving more control to the states. Obama believes in the power of the collective and no one is special(except of course him),whereas Romney believes in the power of the individual and a merit based system.
Michele does look lovely in her white dress and her enthusiasm for the athletes was great.
Its rather ironic to try to argue that Romney is for individual merit when his own path to wealth came from his father. Obama is a classic example of true individual achievement. Your talking points aren’t accurate.
And before you try to argue that their individual lives don’t matter, let me make it clear, I disagree strongly with your attempt to characterize the choice as you did. The choice is between asking the wealthiest Americans to pay more taxes and give some relief to the middle class or continuing to allow the rich to get richer–that hasn’t worked.
I have a hard time believing anyone posting here would benefit from voting for more wealth at the top.
Ayn Randian garbage at its best….
wow, can’t imagine where some of you people get your facts. What Romney inherited from his father was given to charity. His money he has is his own that he worked for. Unlike Obama and Biden who give almost nothing to charity. Obama gave a very small percentage of his earnings and Biden’s charity donations were laughable.
Team Obama-especially Michelle!
Ann is not watching Rafalca (at least not on Sunday, the dressage start)-she had to schlepp to Jerusalem with hubby. Sad for her.
Maybe she wanted to go.
FLOTUS with tha MOSTEST! 😉
She always looks great.
I don’t look this bad mowing the lawn. See attached.
http://www.examiner.com/article/michelle-obama-s-shorts-too-short-photos-and-slideshow
This might be the best she has ever looked. Usually she just looks messy & ill put together. Stylish, she is not. She also needs to sort out her angry eye brow situation. She should seek the help of at least one of her 20 assistants to get it right.
i don’t think it’s too informal, at all.
i think she looks especially well-thought-out here.
see, this is the kind of mix of fun-formal i wish kate middleton would consider.
Lovely J.Mendel jacket; I would totally buy it if I had $6,800 handy.
She looks fantastic. Love FLOTUS. Always appropriate and fashionable. I’m in my 20’s and there are a lot of things she wears that I would wear, with a few tweaks not so for Kate, even though she and I are closer in age than Michelle.
Duchess Kate looked ridiculous. The shiny, powder blue (suit? dress?coat? seriously what was it? lol). And the hair, always the same, so boring and predictable. If Kate is dressing so matronly now, what will she look like 10 years from now? I shudder at the thought. You can be conservative and respectful of your status/position and the occasion and still love fashionable and stylish. Michelle does it everyday, and she rarely misses. She should give Kate some pointers.
I’m a Brit and I just wanted to say I love Michelle Obama, she comes across as so genuine and caring. She’s especially great with kids. She’s an inspiring First Lady, americans should be proud of her. Oh and I think she looks lovely in that dress, I much prefer her face to that Mitt’s wife.
As a Brit who is now a US citizen, it is a good thing that a preference for a face does not a good economy make. Your comment is stupid; Mrs. Obama is a lovely woman, leave the comment at that. There is nothing wrong with Mrs. Romney and one can show a preference for one, without denigrating another.
Totally agree. That was unnecessary.
Where did she denigrate Ann Romney? She just stated a preference, there is nothing unfair about that.
I’m confused. The writer of the article is allowed to comment on their faces but I’m not supposed to say which one I prefer.
Your response is stupid not my comment.
I think Michelle Obama was a lawyer in her previous life (pre-1st Lady) and I think that she got good confidence and swagger from that experience (as much swagger as the White House can allow). Don’t know much about Romney’s wife (Anne?) but I think she looks fine but I get the impression of her as a “traditional” wife/ accessory to politician husband. That’s a turn-off.
What’s wrong with being a “traditional wife”?
What’s wrong with being a traditional wife?
MO looks lovely.
Ann Romney raised FIVE sons. The family is very hands on. She battled cancer and is battling MS. I think she is an incredibly honorable and likable woman. Michelle Obama no longer has a law license. I believe she lost her license as did Barack. I don’t know the reason why because you cannot search and gather information about the first couple because his first thing he did as president was to seal all his records. Sad but true.
Great outfit, but it’s a shame it doesn’t have more of a sleeve as it looks a little constricted across the shoulders at some angles. But I LOVE the cut!
“I like Michelle’s pep-talk: have fun, take it all in, but seriously, WIN.” IKR lol. *looks around* What? Sportsmanship, Schmortsmanship I like seeing our name at the top of the medal count.
The FLOTUS looks great here. I like it.
Why is Mitt Romney there? You’re not POTUS yet. (doubt you will be)
Lol. Don’t want to get political. But he is overseas visiting some countries as a way to strengthen his perceived lack of foriegn policy skills (because as you well know, merely visiting a country shows you are in tune with policy and diplomacy. Lol). Anyway he managed to put his foot in his mouth in the short time he was in London. He insinuated that London was not prepared for the Olympics security wise. Of course people were quick to point out that of course the games were easier to secure in Salt Lake City…..the middle of nowhere, no offense to anyone on here form Utah lol. The point though is that he while in the host country he was being rude/snide.
I believe Mr. Romney was trying to offer assistance as someone who has ties to the Olympic Games not snide remarks. And please tell me what experience President Obama had in foreign affairs or experience basically in anything else relevant to running a country? NONE.
tina, I agree that with his experience with the Olympics, it’s not surprising that Romney is there.
And I would like to point out to you that Pres. Obama, while a senator, was a member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, and was the chairman of the subcommittee for European affairs.
I think the first lady Mrs Michelle Obama is lovely. I don’t understand why so many people give her such a hard time…it’s not her fault her husband is the president, sheesh. Sometimes I feel sorry for her because she gets the double edge sword; Sexism AND racism.
People need to seriously back off and leave her alone.
Long post.
My take on it is that they all (Kate, Camilla, Princess Anne, and even Kate’s mother) wear those coat dress ensemble because the Queen does so. Now that she is older (the Queen) that style is perfectly appropriate for her—it’s simple, no fuss, practical, long-lasting, and elegant. Regarding the rest of them, they all look like look like downtrodden old-maids and Victorian spinsters when they to emulate that style. They can’t pull it off. Can you imagine how they would all look if the Queen Mother were style living and they tried to play her the complement of copying her style? Uck, yuck and phooey.
I generally like Michelle Obama’s style. However, there are days when she misses the mark—truth be told (as we all do). Overall, I think her style works. She is experimental. She has a lot of energy. She seems casual and comes off as being comfortable in her own skin and confident in who she is. Her clothes and clothing choices reflect that. A friend of mine hates the cardigan sweaters. I often hate the belts. We both think she gets her eyebrows plucked, shaped, threaded, waxed, razored, etc. a little too thin from time to time. I don’t think she has that problem here. I would have to look again at the picture. Every now and then, I would like to see her wearing a suit (a nice navy blue one). She is an attorney after all. I think it’s an impression little girls (and boys) need to see. Although I think her wearing a suit would be too intimidating for some people (gender/race/class). I think for her to come off as very or highly educated and not “wifey/domestic” enough and/or appropriately subordinate not only draws parallels to the Clintons but in terms of race/gender would upset certain subsets of the population, IMO. I liked Barbara Bush as well as Laura Bush (couldn’t stand Nancy Reagan), but Michelle doesn’t seem to be either of those people. And why should she?
I have attached a link of the one and only picture I have seen where the First Lady is wearing a suit (or at least a blazer). She looks good. She is an attractive lady.
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/05/20/the-host-with-the-most-updating/
I have also attached pics of the suit coat coterie.
http://shop.rexfeatures.com/low.php?xp=media&xm=4610085
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/21/carole-middleton-royal-ascot_n_1615864.html
http://www.zimbio.com/photos/Camilla+Parker+Bowles/Kate+Middleton/Procession+Order+Garter+Service/XCgFUxwURXd
You may have to go the slideshow view to see Princess Anne. I’m swimming in the shallow end in here, but I wish Princess Anne would do just a bit more to enhance her old world beauty. Just a little.
She looks so good here. Gorgeous!
http://www.camerapress.com/index.php?61327164212903212800.000012004964036624966527072012104029
That beautiful J. Mendel embroidered jacket cost $6800.00. Doesn’t that make Mrs. Obama a One Percenter? Should she be wearing such an expensive jacket when our country is in such terrible financial shape?
She is representing our country overseas. There is no need for her to put on sackcloth.
As long as she paid for it herself, I don’t have a problem with the price. It’s her money and she is free to spend it however she pleases.
Freebies, however, are a no-no: public servants (FLOTUS and her husband were elected as a team) cannot accept gifts worth more than $25. I have not seen any indication that that beautiful outfit was handed to MO by the designer without her having to pay for it.
Usually Michelle either gets it or she doesnt, thankfully she chose a fantastic outfit this time.
Ive never seen a picture of Ann before, and your right, she is beautiful.
Ugh. Those BROWS! They are too arched and overplucked: combined with the linebacker shoulders, they make her look like a drag queen.
Sigh, Michelle Obama is the best. More of her on CB please!
That guy to the left of Michelle in the very first pic? That was my EXACT face when I saw this outfit. I have seen other pics, but really just of the shoulders up. This outfit from full front is *hideous!* The top is too stiff and structured to go with the bottom, which is far too flowing and hippie for the top. And the skirt is a good two to three inches too long. SO much fabric! I love the colors on her, but these two pieces just don’t jive together. I feel like if she was wearing a nice, fitted knee-length skirt, or a looser top, perhaps something with a little bit of ruffle, that showed a her neck and a hint of shoulder, it would be so much better!
I’m sorry, but the juxtaposition of these two pieces is just killing me! This outfit does nothing for her. She looks like she has no ta-tas, massive shoulders, and an even more massive set of hips. And while Michelle is a toned and curvy woman, she is by no means huge. Maybe she didn’t want to take away from the Queen? That is the only reason I can possibly think of for why she would choose this outfit. I usually really like her style. What happened?
Dammit, now that you say that, I agree completely with you!
The outfit is pretty but oddly constructed.
But OMFG Michelle has GOT to stop wearing those leprechaun shoes. She has big feet. At least a 9 maybe 10 but those pointy shoes never do her any favors. They don’t need to be THAT pointed! Arrows have less of a point than most of her shoes.
For all the First Lady’s fans out there, there’s a lovely blog who gathers all her fashion statements since her husband’s election.
http://mrs-o.com/
Michelle looks lovely, and it sounds like her talk to the athletes and kids was great.
I’ve been impressed by her from the start, and I think her two main causes, promoting healthiness for kids (and adults) and working to support military families, are both very worthy and important.
+1
-2
I think her outfit is beautiful.
I give the outfit a thumbs-down. The constricted top flattens her chest and the detailed bottom plus the pleated skirt draw attention to her wide hips. Mrs. Obama has a different build than the Duchess of Cambridge, but both always look good in sheaths, Mrs. Obama sometimes pairing hers with a coordinating jacket.
Michelle Obama did not “lose” her law license. She voluntarily placed it on inactive status (which you can do in Illinois) as she would not be practicing law because, um, she’s the First Lady. Feel sorry for all the haters, love FLOTUS and love this outfit.
Look at the Queen’s face when Michelle is smiling at her! WTH?!