Michelle Obama: Style S.O.S.!
New first ladies invariably need fashion help when they enter the White House. That’s because First Ladydom is a whole new world. All eyes are on her as a symbol of style, grace, and, yes, even taste. Political protocol and esoteric matters of etiquette make the fashion line among the finest to walk.
Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States
Instead of stepping up her style game, Michelle Obama appears to be unraveling. The sleeveless frock she wore during the president’s recent prime-time address to Congress in the dead of winter was more suited for a secret trip to a sushi bar. And enough of the bare legs. Hosiery is an appropriate wardrobe component in more than a few settings - especially when your husband is the president.
While it appeared on the campaign trail that Mrs. Obama had a sense of style and may need no more than a few tweaks from a stylist with a clue, it now appears that she needs a major makeover. So, what’s taking so long for those invisible, irrepressible beltway forces to begin the fine-tuning of Michelle?
Michelle has the potential to be a style icon. You see glimpses of Jackie Kennedy, to whom she has been compared, in photos such as the one gracing the March 9 cover of People magazine. She looks lovely in a pink lace kimono dress by designer Tracy Reese. (Take that, those who publicly criticized her recently for not wearing black designers.) And her recently unveiled official portrait is the picture of elegance.
But being styled for a photo is much different from dressing for public appearances, which always translate into video footage because photographers capture her every step.
And perhaps the media is the culprit. News and entertainment “journalists” gush non-stop about how “gorgeous” Ms. Obama is and how “perfect” she looks in every situation. Come on - she’s attractive, not gorgeous, and she has looked perfect maybe two or three times outside of the strictly controlled environs of a photo shoot for a print publication.
Is what we see here what former president George W. Bush and his Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice referred to as “the soft bigotry of low expectations”? As the media’s glassy-eyed talking heads effusively paint Mrs. Obama as a do-no-wrong style icon, the object of their affection continues her slow descent into style inadequacy. Are they afraid to critically assess her wardrobe choices for fear of being called racist? Is their fawning over her a reflection of their lust for Barack? Or do they simply lack the aptitude to place the image she has created for herself in its appropriate political and cultural context? Probably all three.
Mrs. Obama is a highly intelligent woman, but her inability to craft a consistently polished visual image suggests that her Ivy League education may be at odds with her working-class, South Side Chicago upbringing. The latter, unfortunately, appears to be winning. She seems confused about what’s appropriate for almost everything, and her go-to is a loud cocktail dress.
If you’re listening, Mrs. Obama, here are a few words of advice from somebody who appreciates you enough to tell you the truth: Hire a serious stylist who understands each message you must send and the master narrative you must write with your appearance, and obey him or her. You are sending a message each time you step into the public eye, and you must learn to control it at all times to project not just confidence, but taste and class.
As you and your staff hunt for the right stylist - Valerie Jarrett, where art thou? - get thee hastily to Donna Karan, St. John, Pamella Roland, Carmen Marc Valvo and Edward Wilkerson at Lafayette 148. These design houses are foremost among those that can help you look your optimal within reasonable cost.
Don’t fret - J. Crew, Sears and thrift store pieces have a place in your closet. But you have to master when and how to rock those looks. For example, J. Crew’s spring collection has several ensembles that would suit you well for the annual Easter Egg Roll at the White House. But the brand’s looks probably aren’t the best fit for, say, a tea for women in Congress.
President Obama won the presidency with a persistent call for change. And the winds of change are indeed blowing - we just need them to gust through the first lady’s dressing room.
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Personally, I like the fact that she doesn’t look like the rest of the old bats flapping around Washington. Does she miss sometimes? Yes. But at least she’s not running around in a pantsuit that makes her butt look like a giant slab of whatever.
I think that it’s time that the so-called “style mavens” get off of Michelle Obama’s back. If she needs to consult with anyone, it should be Jill Biden. Those boots that she wore at the Inauguration were sharp!
Personally, I like the fact that she doesn’t look like the rest of the old bats flapping around Washington. Does she miss sometimes? Yes. But at least she’s not running around in a pantsuit that makes her butt look like a giant slab of whatever.
I think that it’s time that the so-called “style mavens” get off of Michelle Obama’s back. If she needs to consult with anyone, it should be Jill Biden. Those boots that she wore at the Inauguration were sharp!
This type of article was a risk, but beautifully and engagingly written. Bravo!! But, you should have a way that I can link it or send it to my friends. Michelle.
This type of article was a risk, but beautifully and engagingly written. Bravo!! But, you should have a way that I can link it or send it to my friends. Michelle.
I agree with you about the way the style folks (who should know better) refuse to really critique her style. I like Michelle a lot, but let’s face it; her inauguration ball gown was approaching downright dowdiness. It may be time to get a stylist–perhaps LaMont Jones???
I agree with you about the way the style folks (who should know better) refuse to really critique her style. I like Michelle a lot, but let’s face it; her inauguration ball gown was approaching downright dowdiness. It may be time to get a stylist–perhaps LaMont Jones???
Michelle is a woman who is capable of both high substance and high form. Her shabby condition at this point is detracting from her good substance. Imagine, hypothetically, if Barack had busted out in zoot suits and familaries. Would we now be contemplating the audacity of hope? I doubt it. This is an article that needed to be written. Thank you, Style Arbiter!
Michelle is a woman who is capable of both high substance and high form. Her shabby condition at this point is detracting from her good substance. Imagine, hypothetically, if Barack had busted out in zoot suits and familaries. Would we now be contemplating the audacity of hope? I doubt it. This is an article that needed to be written. Thank you, Style Arbiter!
For the many who are still somewhat conservative when it comes to professional dress, Michelle’s choices are usually inappropriate. At her level, there’s no excuse for going bare-legged, and the same goes for the bare arms, not matter how toned they are. I’m not hatin’ because I get the same types of compliments on my physique, including arms (thanks to the Army). She really does need to consult with someone who’s going to steer her in the right direction, so I agree with the gifted author in asking, “Valerie Jarrett, where art thou?”
For the many who are still somewhat conservative when it comes to professional dress, Michelle’s choices are usually inappropriate. At her level, there’s no excuse for going bare-legged, and the same goes for the bare arms, not matter how toned they are. I’m not hatin’ because I get the same types of compliments on my physique, including arms (thanks to the Army). She really does need to consult with someone who’s going to steer her in the right direction, so I agree with the gifted author in asking, “Valerie Jarrett, where art thou?”
I do agree with you. J. Crew is not the answer for the Beltway soirees. Maybe Mrs. Obama will incorporate her own brand of change in Washington by dressing as she darn well pleases. I’m not mad at you Mrs. O, just step it up a little bit.
I do agree with you. J. Crew is not the answer for the Beltway soirees. Maybe Mrs. Obama will incorporate her own brand of change in Washington by dressing as she darn well pleases. I’m not mad at you Mrs. O, just step it up a little bit.
I agree…MO really does need to look her best, casual to black tie. She has great arms and no need to cover..but appropriately, please. No cocktail dresses at business meetings! So yes please MO, take advantage of an image professional. Your hubby’s got it down, MO needs to catch up. Very well written article..sensitive and to the point..very nice.
I agree…MO really does need to look her best, casual to black tie. She has great arms and no need to cover..but appropriately, please. No cocktail dresses at business meetings! So yes please MO, take advantage of an image professional. Your hubby’s got it down, MO needs to catch up. Very well written article..sensitive and to the point..very nice.