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.