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[Images from:
- the Daily Mail
- the Obama Diary
- Pro President Obama]
Michelle Obama was at the White House on May 11, "In honor of the upcoming Military Spouse Appreciation Day...and in support of military families celebrating Mother’s Day this Sunday, May 13." Jill Biden, who was also present, stands placidly, and adoringly, behind Michelle, as Michelle makes her speech with gesticulations and forceful expressions. The young "military boy" who greets Michelle (in the above photo) is taken in by Michelle's exuberance, which is something that would scare most kids away. He must be responding to all the glowing adulation he hears about her at school, on T.V., and surely at home. I don't think I would have liked having my head clasped in that manner, but the young boy seems enthralled, as does the "military wife or mother" behind him.
The Daily Mail informs us:
In the spirit of spring, Michelle Obama and Jill Biden colour co-ordinated this morning while honoring military mothers and wives at the White House.The Daily Mail, perhaps because it is a British publication, adds subtle, disapproving remarks about Michelle bare arms (no U.S. publication that I know of has tackled Michelle's bare arms so far, and even the Daily Mail doesn't quite go there), while quietly praising Jill Biden's outfit.
The first lady and the wife of Vice-President Joe Biden, who both have distinct signature styles, came together in what was either a grand coordinating coincidence, or clever sartorial satire.
While the first lady bared her arms in a yellow cowl-neck dress which had a contrasting textured gold skirt, Mrs Biden wore a simple yellow cardigan over a bow-detailed shift dress, in front of a matching White House curtain.
I don't think the yellow was a color coordination between the two ladies, but what their stylists probably thought would fit well with White House's East Room decor of those lovely canary yellow drapes. And Jill Biden's outfit is a canary yellow, fitting well with the gold yellow drapes, while Michelle Obama's is the puce green/yellow she seems to have an affinity for.
Michelle Obama (or her stylists) cleverly recycle her outfits. Above, in the bottom image, she is wearing the same skirt and top for a similar function in 2011 (and her stylists love to dress her in that same puce green/mustard yellow). Jill Biden, who was also at this 2011 military function, opted for a lovely red suit, albeit with those spiked heels. And forget about Michelle's arms, it is her foreboding shins that overshadow them.
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and with sympathetic on-lookers.