Michelle Obama in J. Crew Again, Tommy Hilfiger’s East Hampton Store

Happy April Fun Day!

Turning a page on the calendar here at the Prepatorium is always a pleasure this time of year, and today does not disappoint. In keeping with the bright sunshine outside we wanted to share a few updates to some of our favorite collections at the shop.

We start with additions to our Lilly Pulitzer Stationery & Gifts group.  The Stickers & Labels Set matches our springtime mood perfectly!

The set includes 20 sheets of classic Lilly designs, and at only $14 they have turned out to be an excellent little gift. Another perfect present for someone special, the Circle Notes in Mumsie and Animal Crackers.

Lilly Circle Notes

We like the way they are finished off with the perky little grosgrain bows in matching shades of pink.

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Preppy-style retailer J. Crew must be on Cloud 9 today with news of Michelle Obama’s wardrobe choices for her first public appearance in London.

PHOTO: Leon Neal/Pool/Reuters

The First Lady selected Crew’s Dazzling Dots pencil skirt ($158) and the Crystal Constellation Cardigan ($298).

J. Crew Dazzling Dots Skirt

But if you are now making plans for adding the cardigan to your walk-in (it really is a delightful choice for an evening out), we bring you not-such-wonderful news: according to the J. Crew site, the sweater is sold out.

J. Crew Crystal Constellation Cardigan

We do enjoy British narratives on fashion, including the Guardian’s description of the outfit:

“As every girl who shops on the high street knows, it is the accessories that make or break an outfit. Obama did not put a foot wrong in low-heeled animal-skin-print heels and her signature pearls.”

Yesterday Mrs. Obama wore a  custom-made Thakoon coat with grosgrain piping when boarding Air Force One.

PHOTO: Jason Reed/Reuters

Upon arriving in London the First Lady was in a Jason Wu chartreuse silk crepe short sleeve sheath accented by a shawl collar.

PHOTO: Charles Dharapak/AP

The young designer tells WWD he had no idea Mrs. Obama would be wearing another one of his creations.

“Yellow is such a great color, and it’s nice that we are seeing spring right now,” Wu said. “It’s definitely very optimistic.”

We couldn’t be happier to see the First Lady in American designers again; we eagerly await news of her attire for her meeting with the Queen!

One note before we leave this topic: J. Crew is doing another Final Sale promotion, with an additional 30% Off sale prices.

Another word of caution however, this offer is not good at retail or factory stores, and it ends tomorrow (April 2) at midnight.  To receive the discount, use promo code EXTRA30 at checkout.

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Also today, news that Tommy Hilfiger has opened his new store in East Hampton, right on Main Street.

Courtesy Photo via WWD.com

Mr. Hilfiger has only 9 other free-standing shops; this is his first in the Hamptons.  In early March the company held its menswear presentation, announcing an expansion of their tailored clothing offerings.

PHOTO: Kyle Ericksen

Mr. Hilfiger can be seen in the photo, standing in the center, wearing an orange necktie.

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For today’s Adventures in Argyle we share another bit of shameless self-promotion…

PreppyPrincess.com

…using one of our new Ribbon Key Fobs.

PreppyPrincess.com

You select the ribbon of your choice, as well as the webbing.  And to be perfectly crass (again, really, how tasteless can we be?) in discussing prices, let’s just worsen the situation, shall we? These fun and fabulous goodies are a mere $5, offering the perfect pick-me-up gift for just about anyone on your list.

To be completely candid dolls, this is one of those times when we are grateful Great Aunt Molly departed this planet long before seeing us engaged in discussing something as inappropriate as this.  Frankly, the poor woman would be horrified; but then, having a career in tv for all those years didn’t exactly conform to family standards either.

Finally today, a peek at the new Britney Spears marketing poster for her Candie’s Only line at Kohl’s.

Candie's Only at Kohl's

The collection debuts in April. US Weekly will distribute 4 million copies of this poster in their April 15 issue.  Previous “Candie’s Girls” include Avril Lavigne and Hayden Panettiere.

We must apologize, as yesterday we promised photos from the Kate Spade fall collection, and we have just run out of space and time. Tomorrow, we promise-promise-promise!

Election Night Fashions from Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, Sarah Palin and More

Hello-hello everyone! We hope everyone is enjoying the soft and sunny weather we are experiencing today!

As we are more than a little swamped here at Princess HQ, we will offer a short post looking at the Narciso Rodriguez dress worn by Michelle Obama Monday evening.

Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty

Clearly not a Mario Pinto creation, as discussed in last night’s post, this was shown as part of the Rodriguez Spring 2009 Collection.

PHOTO: George Chinsee

The selection of this particular dress and cardigan brought some negative fashion feedback, unusual in and of itself as Mrs. Obama has been credited throughout the campaign for her fashion-forward style.

The issue? This is not considered a “good TV dress.”

PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty

PHOTO: Joe Raedle/Getty

While TP is convinced this is a stunning dress in person, it was probably not Ms. Obama’s finest fashion moment.  The ombre dot motif is exquisite in design and tres figure-enhancing but it doesn’t stand up well on television and in photographs.  And yes, the broadcasting & print careers influence our thought process on this topic, no doubt about it.

However, we think the First-Lady-To-Be is entitled to wear whatever strikes her fancy, whatever makes her feel good.  And no one can say the family was not color-coordinated last evening.

PHOTO: Jim Young/Reuters

For those unfamiliar with Mr. Rodriguez, here is a look at one of his more memorable gowns, Carolyn Bissette Kennedy’s wedding dress.

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NOTE: The following portion of the blog is INCORRECT!

On the other side of the aisle, Cindy McCain chose to wear the Oscar de la Renta silk suit she wore for her appearance with First Lady Laura Bush at the Republican Convention.

PHOTO: Chris Carlson/AP

Here is the CORRECT info: Below, a photo of the dress worn by Cindy McCain at the convention on September 1st. (Okay Princess, dress vs. suit…. how difficult can this be?! Perhaps it is time for a little Prozac pick-me-up, hhhmm?)

PHOTO: Mike Segar/Reuters

Thank you to the wonderful MOMX2 for alerting us in her ever-so-kind manner that we had a boo-boo in today’s post. She is too sweet and if you haven’t been over for a visit, you must reward yourself and pop in to say ‘hello.’

Now we must start our hunt for the designer behind last night’s Cindy McCain fashion; we still think we have seen this particular suit before, which is the thought process that started us on this slippery slope in the first place. But before we can do that, we must toddle along to our Tiara repair expert. We need to bring down the size of our Tiara a tad, as our head has shrunk just a bit in the last few hours. Silly Princess.

(Editor’s Note: We are leaving in our mistake deliberately to avoid any confusion we would create by simply correcting this in the ‘comments’ section.)

Back to your regularly scheduled programing now:

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Alaska Governor Sarah Palin was in an elegant deep navy cocktail suit.

PHOTO: Mike Blake/Reuters

We must include this photo of a rather woebegone Piper Palin last night, as she has definitely been one of those little delights that always brought a smile to our face during the long campaign…

PHOTO: Rick Wilking/Reuters

…as did Malia and Sasha Obama, no doubt thrilled to know they are getting the new puppy they were promised if their father was victorious in the election.

PHOTO: Jason Reed/Reuters

For those interested in a possible Inauguration Day look for Ms. Obama, last night’s late post touched upon that and also shared Oprah Winfrey’s plans for an Inauguration Day dress.

We close with a look at how the story was played elsewhere, starting with one of the President-elect’s hometown newspapers, the Chicago Sun-Times:

Chicago Sun-Times

WaPo as TP refers to it, the Washington Post:

The Washington Post

The Times:

The New York Times

And USA Today:

USA Today

Out the door and simply *racing* to another function!

This Just In….the Next Target Collaboration & And Inaugural Party Frocks?

Well, for heaven’s sake – if news isn’t breaking out all over the place this election evening!

We quickly interrupt your election updates to share a few preppy news alerts, starting with the a look at what Michelle Obama plans to wear this evening.  With the Obama campaign clearly hoping tonight’s event in Chicago’s Grant Park is celebrating a victory, in this piece from the Journal’s ‘Heard on the Runway‘ blog we learn about a possible wardrobe selection for Ms. Obama.

The blog showcases a conversation with Maria Pinto, one of Michelle Obama’s favorite designers:

“For Tuesday, Ms. Pinto has a dress in mind that she hopes Ms. Obama will wear. The dress, a coral-red silk crepe sheath with three-quarter sleeves, an empire waist and a high neckline with a burst of sunray pleats emanating from the collar, is a piece that Ms. Obama bought a few months ago but hasn’t worn to an event yet.”

And as far as a dress (more appropriately, a gown) for a certain date in January, should Ms. Obama need a party frock? The designer told reporter Cheryl Lu-Lien Tan “…she’s already begun sketching an Inaugural Day look in her head.”

“Something bright in color, with some movement,” says Ms. Pinto, declining to share more beyond that. “I just did costumes for the Joffrey (Ballet) so I have dance on the brain.”

While Ms. Obama has made no mention of an inaugural dress, über-star Oprah Winfrey has, calling in to a radio show this morning and sharing the following:

“So help me God, I am looking at it right now…. Actually I started in February. I was speaking with Michelle [Obama] and Caroline Kennedy and Maria Shriver — we were all doing a big rally out in California. At the end of the rally Michelle Obama said something powerful, ‘and I want you to leave here and envision Barack Obama taking the oath of office’…. I created a vision board. I had never had a vision board before. I came home, I got me a board and put Barack Obama’s picture on it and I put a picture of my dress I want to wear to the inauguration.”

In a different story the paper profiles the designer; we show these pieces as photographed by Jens Mortensen for The Wall Street Journal.

We’ll take all three please.

Also tonight, word on everyone’s favorite mass-market retailer, Target. The company is expected to  announce its collaboration with high-end designer Alexander McQueen in a move fashion insiders consider to be the most notable of all Target’s collaborative efforts.

PHOTO: Talaya Centeno

Above, a suit from the McQ by Alexander McQueen line. The Target collection will be closer to this in look and feel than to the regular Alexander McQueen line.  The designer’s McQ group is not entirely unknown to Princess readers; here is an August post featuring ‘Nouveau Prep’ looks, including this McQ fringed skirt at Bluefly in blue, red and black. (Pssst…it is now on sale!)

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Next we show the McQ Dotty wool jacket at Net-a-porter.

The fabric for this piece is a lush and lovely wool with a soft hand and beautiful drape.

The McQueen collection will be part of a larger initiative from Target, an effort the retailer is calling ‘Designer Collaborations.’

While the often edgy and frequently racy designer isn’t TP’s style, we do think this one will be just oodles of fun!

Politics & Fashion Part 12 and J. Crew Seizes the Moment!

Finally. We have managed to gather what’s left of what passes for an adult mind as we effort this update to the ongoing ‘Politics and Fashion’ saga.

We start with a fun story, Michelle Obama once again sporting classics from J. Crew.  In this instance Ms. Obama wore the clothier’s duds Monday night while appearing as a guest on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

PHOTO: Kevork Djansezian/AP

The top is the Italian Deco Shell, a silk twill tank that is now on sale at J. Crew for $99.99 in certain colors.

Courtesy J. Crew

The skirt is Crew’s Pembridge-dot pencil skirt in a silk and nylon blend, fabric that is described as a “shimmery jacquard.”  The skirt is nothing short of stunning when seen in person. It retails at $148.

Courtesy J. Crew

Completing the elegant ensemble was the Crystal-button colorblock cardigan in a wool/nylon/cashmere knit.  TP suspects the brooch at the neck was another Erickson-Beamon creation.

Courtesy J. Crew

Crew also has this piece on sale, now reduced to $89.99.  If it holds any appeal for your walk-in, we recommend running, not walking, to the online shop, or dialing up your personal shopper at the local level.  Somehow we don’t think many, if any of these items will be around after a few hours.

CEO Mickey Drexler and and the rest of the marketing minds at J. Crew had to be ecstatic upon learning what Mrs. Obama was wearing for the high profile appearance. And the company was wise, investing in a paid advertisement in Google search results. Below, copy from the ad, clearly linking the company and the candidate’s wife:

1. 1. Michelle Obama in J.Crew®

      Get the Look Michelle Obama Wore on
      The Tonight Show Only from J.Crew.
      http://www.JCrew.com

Inevitably the conversation turned to the controversy surrounding the wardrobe of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin. In the course of the conversation host Jay Leno asks “What is it, about $60-grand? $60, $70,000 that outfit?” and Ms. Obama answered, “Actually, this is a J.Crew ensemble. You can get some good stuff online.”

PHOTO: Kevork Djansezian/AP

Mrs. Obama was gracious in her comments about the Palin wardobe issue:

“A V.P. pick, it’s like being shot out of a cannon. All of a sudden you’re at the center of attention, and you want to look good,” said Michelle Obama, adding she has never met Palin. “You’re living in your home, minding your business, and all of a sudden you’re on the national stage and everyone’s watching.”

We refer of course, to the news last week that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 on clothing and accessories for Ms. Palin and her family.  Those expenses include $49,425 at Saks Fifth Avenue stores in St. Louis and New York, as well as $75,062 at the Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis. Other purchases were made at the Gap in Minneapolis and Lord & Taylor.  A story in WWD has more:

“While the FEC records do not identify whether the purchases were made by McCain or Palin, the McCain campaign has not disputed the news reports that the vice presidential nominee and her family made the purchases along the campaign trail, stretching from Minneapolis to St. Louis to New York.”

PHOTO: Paul J. Richards/AFP/Getty

Above, Governor Palin in Minneapolis at the Republican National Convention.  In previous coverage WWD has said Ms. Palin favors Escada, and has purchased items secondhand in Anchorage.  Many have suggested the black suit worn by the candidate for the vice presidential debate was by Elie Tahari.

In a follow-up to their original story, Politico.com interviewed a number of stylists and image consultants:

“She is dressing appropriately for the job she is going after,” said Lauren Rothman, a Washington stylist and the principal in the fashion consulting firm Styleauteur.”

The Politico story also includes this quote from Washington Post fashion writer Robin Givhan columnist:

“In the narrow confines of political style,” Givhan wrote last month, “the accepted rule is to dress in a manner that implies empathy for one’s constituency — so don’t wear anything too expensive — but also conveys authority. Palin has embraced the former and utterly ignored the latter.”

Senator McCain responded to the outrage on NBC’s “Meet the Press“:

“She lives a frugal life. She and her family are not wealthy. She and her family were thrust into this and there was some — and some third of that money is given back. The rest will be donated to charity…”

PHOTO: Steve Pope/Getty

Arguably one of the comments that meant the most to us the past several months came from the wonderful Miss Kate, aka Nautical by Nature. In response to our post “Politics and Fashion Part 5, Real Yale Students Talk Gossip Girl” earlier this month she wrote:

“I love how you always show products from both parties Very honorable”

Perhaps it is all the years we spent in broadcast journalism, perhaps it is because we were raised in a culture where one’s honor essentially trumps all else, perhaps it is because we simply believe in being fair in what we write here.  But whatever it is, we didn’t post earlier on the Palin wardrobe issue because we couldn’t find ‘the other side’ to include in the post.

We believe Ms. Palin and family suddenly found themselves in a situation where it was painfully evident everyone needed new apparel. All one needs to reach this conclusion is look at photographs and video of the family the day of the announcement, let alone the days before that announcement.  What worked well in Anchorage would not play positively on a national stage. So we take no issue with the acquisition of new wardrobes for the family.

And we understand the immense difficulties inherent in attempting to procure this type of merchandise for high-profile individuals. One simply cannot walk into the nearest Macy’s with their Secret Service detail and start trying on suits, if for no other reason than the Service won’t allow it. Period. Our struggle is with the folks at the RNC who know better, who know how poorly this sort of thing plays on Main Street. One need not have completed their courses at American University’s Campaign Management Institute to know the impact this sort of thing has on the electorate. Honestly.

In conclusion, we have finally come to the reality that there really isn’t “another side” to the issue in a textbook sense. So we will attempt to lift the mood by sharing links to two stories related to our post this afternoon. The first is at a site called Jezebel (a tad raw for our taste, but there you have it), a delightful piece with some fun fashion selections, all from J. Crew:

“What if we headed to J Crew.com and picked clothing for Michelle Obama, Cindy McCain, Sarah Palin and the kids? We went on a shopping spree and chose election night outfits and inauguration day ensembles for the ladies…”

Courtesy J. Crew & Jezebel.com

Above, a collage from Jezebel showing their picks for Sasha & Malia Obama; for more selections read the rest of the post.

The other is a story by the good folks at The Cut blog from NY Magazine in which they show “How to Spend $150,000 at Saks and Neiman Marcus.”

Collage: NY Magazine, PHOTOS: Getty

We will leave things here and trust readers to understand our efforts on this one.