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Michelle Obama State Dinner 2012: Gorgeous In Teal Marchesa! (PHOTOS, POLL)

The Huffington Post   First Posted: 03/14/2012 9:31 pm Updated: 03/15/2012 12:30 pm

It was an international affair Wednesday night at the White House as President Obama and the first lady welcomed Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha Cameron, at the United Kingdom State Dinner.

Of course, the immediate highlight of our night was Michelle Obama's off-shoulder silk teal dress. Her gown was sartorially diplomatic, designed by British designer Georgina Chapman, a guest at the dinner, for American fashion house Marchesa. She also donned a bold blue statement necklace cascading with beads by Tom Binns as well as Kimberly McDonald geode earrings.

Mrs. Cameron wore blue as well, but opted for a three-quarter sleeve lace dress designed by the Italian-born and London-based Alessandra Rich, which she cinched with the same belt she was spotted in earlier that day. She also had on shoes by Next, an affordable high street retailer. Both gentlemen chose classic tuxes for this most important of dinner double dates.

SamCam's attention to sartorial detail had a noteworthy fan. As the British first lady stepped out of the Camerons' town car, POTUS reportedly remarked, "very pretty," and turning to FLOTUS, he said, "They look better than us."

Apparently Prime Minister Cameron felt likewise. During his formal remarks later that evening, he joked about his "boy's night out" with Barack on Tuesday, saying, "The truth is we have to have a guys' night out because so often we find we are completely overshadowed by our beautiful wives." Everyone applauded, obviously.

Fashion aside, the formal dinner carried on in typical elegance with the theme “America’s Backyard." On hand with the entertainment were John Legend and Mumford and Sons, with guests such as George Clooney, Richard Branson and to our delight, Anna Wintour, seated on the South Lawn of the White House in an (air-conditioned!) tent. The menu featured crisped halibut with brussels sprouts, bison wellington and "warm Meyer lemon steamed pudding," which guests feasted on amidst centerpieces of carnations, hydrangea, lilacs and violets in shades of green and purple.

See all the glamour from the dinner arrivals below! And of course, please tell us: who wore it better?

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Who was the fashion star of the State Dinner?

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11:14 PM on 03/22/2012
I believe that in keeping with her extreme class, style and elegance, I do believe that it was decided at the very last moment that the dress was cut a tad bit too low and was a bit too revealing and not appropriate or even her style, and the First Lady requested that the beads be put on to cover up that too low neckline. Regardless, she looks absolutely fabulous and stunning as always! Michelle Obama has been likened to Jackie O.. It does not get any better than that! She is fabulous, and I can personally say that I am honored to have her as the First Lady of the United States of America, as we all should be.
OBAMAMOI
Nature does nothing useless
05:52 AM on 03/19/2012
Now to the men; Mr Cameron’s bowtie looks lopsided.
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shirleyfeeney
11:06 PM on 03/18/2012
Mrs Cameron, very beautiful, obviously knew she didn't hold a candle to FLOTUS. She was painfully self-conscious in the footage.
01:03 PM on 03/18/2012
I love the beads around her neck! I hate the way the shoulders are cut on that dress though. Does nothing for her posture.
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Weeweed Up
YOU have a drink with Mitch McConnell!
12:49 PM on 03/19/2012
I agree. It's not her most flattering dress style.
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PrunellaC
He's Cooking Up a Revolution!
12:12 PM on 03/18/2012
Like the dress but the necklaces are a bit much.
01:34 AM on 03/18/2012
I lover her..I really really do...and I will be a fan of her no matter what she wears....especially because she is one of the most intelligent women out there...however, I must say that necklace is terrible...I mean, her poor neck must of been so soar by the end of the night...
09:33 PM on 03/17/2012
What bothers me most about this picture has nothing to do with Michelle Obama's dress, the 10 pounds of beads around her neck or her slumped shoulders. I am no Emily Post, but for a State Dinner portrait, wouldn't it have been more appropriate to have the men standing on the outside and their wives beside them in the middle? This looks more like they are participating in a spelling bee contest. To me, this just would seem like a natural thing to do without any direction from a photographer. Come on guys, show some class.
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shirleyfeeney
11:07 PM on 03/18/2012
The night wasn't about the wives. I'm certain it wasn't protocol to have the wives center stage. They're not the heads of state
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nottinglepee
08:40 AM on 03/19/2012
Cameron is head of state?
07:39 PM on 03/17/2012
Don't love the dress but I usually do like what she wears--She has a beautiful smile and is smart and funny --Just like her husband..Who by the way looks darn handsome as always.
This comment has been removed due to violations of our [Guidelines]
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PhDcommonsense
04:04 PM on 03/17/2012
If I had been Mrs. Cameron, once I saw Michelle's Dress, I would have gone back and changed. Her dress could not have gotten any more Homey looking.

Michelle looked Great.
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shirleyfeeney
11:08 PM on 03/18/2012
Find the video. She knew. And obviously thought about it.
02:42 PM on 03/17/2012
She looks stunning...
11:32 AM on 03/17/2012
She didnt look bad at all except for the horse collar.... something simple would have been better
11:08 AM on 03/17/2012
Our First Lady is just so cool. I love her modern approach to style. After so many staid First Ladies it's so refreshing to have a First Lady who rocks.
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abolishinsanity
03:12 AM on 03/17/2012
The First Lady looked elegant, however it appears that the way the gown's shoulders were cut made her shoulders appear slumped.
In addition, the Prime Minister's wife also did a commendable job wearing the curtains from No. 10 Downing Street's dining room!
11:24 AM on 03/18/2012
Good observation about Mrs. Cameron dress--lol!

MO wore a garment made of upholstery fabric from the Queen's sofas when she visited Buckingham Palace:

http://www.redcarpet-fashionawards.com/2011/05/24/michelle-obama-in-barbara-tfank-buckingham-palace-state-visit/
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PrunellaC
He's Cooking Up a Revolution!
12:18 PM on 03/18/2012
I like that dress and REALLY love those shoes she was wearing. Don't care for the pink bolero thingy, though.
01:06 PM on 03/18/2012
Thanks for the laugh all the way from the Middle East. lol
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Janet Bratter
Fix this mess. Now or Never.
12:44 AM on 03/17/2012
Yup. Michelle must've sneaked down to New Orleans last month 'cause she sure's got a nice collection of Mardi Gras beads there.
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LoLandivotedforHimOnce
Obama Ogonna 2013
10:49 AM on 03/17/2012
Did she Flash?