- Thu, Oct 6, 2011 2:53 PM EDT
Photo by: Getty Images
The trip begins!-
Mrs. Obama boards the plane to England wearing kitten heels and an ivory and black, custom-made ensemble by Thakoon.
Ap PhotoBarack Obama and his wife departed for the UK earlier this week, and, while the president is tending to serious business-- the G20 economic summit in London and, from there, a week of meetings in five different countries--Michelle Obama is along for more jovial pursuits. She's playing high-style dress up, sitting for tea, giving official gifts, and even meeting the Queen (see image, left).
So, what is she wearing? Thus far, no big surprises: She's sticking to favorite designers Jason Wu, Thakoon, and J.Crew; her usual cool color palette; kitten heels; pearls and brooches, and as for beauty, minimal makeup and soft hair. She looks feminine, stylish, and appropriate, but also totally safe. The only outfit I found rather dull and matronly is the Isabel Toledo ensemble she chose to meet the Queen. There was something almost uniform-like about its dull black and white, the skirt is an awkward length, and although Mrs.O did cover her arms with an Azzedine Alaïa cardigan and the look is fitting for the event, I think she can do better. (See our slideshow below for more details on the first lady's European wardrobe.)
In other Michelle Obama news, recent polls show her U.S. favorability ratings are through the roof (76 percent of us like her, up 28 points since last summer). And, during this, her maiden voyage overseas, the world has continued its obsession with every facet of how she looks. On the trip so far, large crowds have gawked and chanted her name wherever she goes, reporters have asked exhaustive questions about her beauty regimen, and the press have compared her ceaselessly to Jackie Kennedy.
Let's face it, that's a lot to live up to.
More tidbits: She's getting better at giving. According to Time, the Obamas gave the Queen an iPod as a gift; it contained footage of her visit to the United States in 2007 (much better than the unusable DVD's they presented Gordon Brown last month). The Queen, meanwhile, gifted the Obamas "a silver framed photo of herself and her husband, as she does all visiting dignitaries," according to the same source.
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