Michelle Obama Style - First Lady Meets Pope Wearing Traditional Black Veil
Filed under: News
President Obama and Mrs. O meet Pope Benedict XVI for the first time. Photo: Saul Loeb, AFP/Getty Images
For President Obama and Mrs. O's first meeting with Pope Benedict XVI, the First Lady wore a black organza bow blouse, black crepe skirt and black silk veil, all by Moschino.
She also chose the Italian brand earlier this week in Italy, securing a Liz Claiborne cardigan with one of the fashion house's brooches. (A perfect example of the high-low mixing Obama is known for.)
But don't think she abandoned her signature style completely; MO threw in a few of her trusty regulars: a black cardigan, black Azzedine Alaïa belt and black kitten heels for good measure.
While we think the subdued outfit was a good call for visiting the religious dignitary, and acknowledge that a black veil is part of Catholic tradition, we wonder if it was a bit over-the-top.
Did she go all-out because of prior criticism she's received for dressing inappropriately to meet, say, the Queen?
What do you think? Did Michelle Obama make the right move in donning a black veil -- a respectful nod to the Pope and the Catholic Church -- or is the headpiece overly dramatic? Leave a comment.
KathieB 7-10-2009 @ 7:30PM
I think Mrs Obama was simply trying to show deference to the leader of the world's Catholics and, as one of them, I thank her for that. Why do we always have to look for the negative in somebody rather than the positive? I think Mrs Obama is a class act and is doing her best in new situations
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brenda 7-10-2009 @ 8:51PM
yup, she looks ridiculous... as usual
Megan 7-12-2009 @ 1:21PM
I think it looks ridiculous. The only people that I know of who wear all black and veils are nuns. My family is catholic. No one wears veils. Just another idiotic move on her part.
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Kathy 7-12-2009 @ 3:48PM
Megan - Has anyone in your family met with the Pope?
bettina 7-12-2009 @ 8:13PM
wow......really snarky
janet 7-12-2009 @ 11:53PM
I am catholic and believe that her wearing a veil was absolutely ridiculous...way over the top. If she wanted to show respect, why can't she just put on a nice suit? What is with the cardigans - it is not Casual Friday or a PTA meeting. I don't consider that 'style' in her position, I consider it sloppy.
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Anne 7-11-2009 @ 9:32AM
As a devout Catholic in my fifties and a woman proud of the gains women have made in and out of our church, I am offended by Mrs. Obama's choice to wear the veil. I remember "chapel caps", long lace veils, uniform "beanies, and even bobby-pinned Kleenex tissues (lovely, don't you think?) being REQUIRED for even a visit in an empty chapel. Thank goodness those days are behind us! Please... though many think there should be more, I wish Mrs. Obama had thought about the progress Catholic women have made toward being considered "equal" and worthy... and would have chosen to face the Pope without the ancient symbol of submission.
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juno 7-11-2009 @ 11:34AM
Absolutely over the top. She looks like a fool! Who is she kidding? Did she wear a Muslim getup in Cairo? She is, and looks ridiculous, I went thru the Jcrew catalog and couldn't find her outfit, I wanted to wear it for Halloween.
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etienne 7-11-2009 @ 4:29PM
You should do a little more research before criticizing Mrs. Obama's attire here. All women who have private audiences with the Pope are required to wear all black, and to wear a black mantilla (veil). The Queen of England has worn the same for her meetings with the Pope; Jacqueline Kennedy also wore all black with a black veil. The only exception to this is for Catholic queens, or wives of Catholic sovereigns--these ladies wear all white, with a white veil.
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brad 7-11-2009 @ 9:24PM
so..... now they're catholic?
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penny 7-12-2009 @ 4:41PM
well, just for this visit
Bill Bicks 7-12-2009 @ 1:24AM
Absolutely it was right! Mrs. Obama followed protocol beautifully~
and was spendidly and appropriately attired for an audience with the Holy See.
Well done,. Mrs. O!
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fadzi 7-12-2009 @ 2:14AM
when in rome you have to do what........
i think thare is nothing wrong with her outfit she did the right thing to me she looks good.
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Megan 7-12-2009 @ 4:57PM
Kathy, wearing all black and a veil to meet the pope is traditional. Thats it, and frankly I agree with Anne. It used to be a requirement but that day has moved on. Your comment about if my family had met the pope was utterly ridiculous and just meant to cause a rift.
Women are suppose have equality, not submission.
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Wanda 7-13-2009 @ 1:46AM
First Lady Michelle Obama is doing fine. I don't see why every move the President and Mrs. Obama it has to always be something negative. She was respecting the religious culture of meeting the Pope.
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Marie 7-14-2009 @ 3:44PM
She was following protocol. How encouraging it is when people with different opinions and ideas can peacefully and meet, and be repectfuk, like our President and the Pope.
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Marie 7-14-2009 @ 4:39PM
Corrections: I am sorry I mispelled so many words!
..." can peacefully meet and be respectful of each other, like our President and the Pope were during their meeting.
DaughterofSt.Francis 7-15-2009 @ 9:45PM
Personally as a covering plain Catholic I am pleased to see she followed tradition and dressed in such a manner.
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Beth 7-25-2009 @ 4:24PM
Simply put, without following the requirements for an audience with the pope, Michelle Obama wouldn't have been in the room with him.
Find something important to argue about.
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Stacia 7-30-2009 @ 10:55PM
http://eastwingrules.blogspot.com/2009/07/first-ladies-meeting-pope.html
If you're actually wondering why she wore this and not just looking for a reason to trash her, go to this link.
You will find photos of numerous former First Ladies wearing very similar apparel while meeting the Pope.
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