First Lady Michelle Obama gets high marks for her work for military families and her "Let's Move" initiative to fight childhood obesity. But one thing she gets a lot of criticism for is her attire and "eclectic" fashion sense. Some say she's a fashion icon; others say she's a fashion disaster.
This week the FLOTUS made a stealth visit to a Target store in Alexandria, VA, and seemingly no one noticed her. She was incognito and quite dressed down: Baseball cap. A very casual--even ‘WalMart-like'--blouse. A tee. Seemingly no makeup except a slap of lipstick.Unpolished nails. Very casual. I say good for her, to make this probably much-needed escape from the high security bubble of the White House, and to go to a "regular" store dressed as one of us "regular" people. Cool.
Reportedly her security detail/Secret Service escorts were also "dressed down," in order to not stand out from the crowd. I'm sure she enjoyed pulling that coup and probably laughed all the way back to the White House. (It's been reported that Hillary Clinton would often take walks outside the White House in similar casual attire, hiding behind sunglasses; and Laura Bush also "escaped," casually-attired, but wasn't captured by photographers.)
Ironically, Mrs. Obama's incognito attire at Target addresses what many feel is often of some (but not earth-shattering) concern: If you are not expected to be noticed, and are not in any official "First Lady" capacity at a given time, such casual, "regular-looking," (maybe even "Saturday bummy" attire) is okay. However many have expressed some curiosity when she dons similar attire when obviously in her role as First Lady of the United States and getting out of presidential vehicles with her Secret Service detail in full obvious view. At those times, many feel there is a certain "look" the First Lady is expected to have.
What exactly should a First Lady look like? What should she wear? If aiming to be unnoticed, dressing down seems very appropriate. But when performing official duties, with all eyes on you, is the same very casual attire also appropriate?
Was it too casual to wear a sweater to meet the Queen of England, or when President Obama received his Nobel Peace Prize? Are sleeveless outfits too casual for official events? Mrs. Obama is a shapely woman; long, lean. To many, a tailored outfit such as a suit--with full length sleeves--best fits the bill...and the 24/7 position of "First Lady of the United States."
Although there have been a few outfits in which I thought she looked perfect, I admit I am not always in favor of what our current first lady wears. Neither have I seen every outfit; I'm busy. (But I've even heard men ask, "What is that she's wearing?") Mrs. Obama seems to have a penchant for the belted, high-waisted, empire-style outfits. She seems to love elbow-length cardigan sweaters, and dresses that are narrow at the top but then pouf out at the bottom. And, of course, she often has bare arms. Personally, I find some outfits unflattering to her physique, and too casual for her position and/or the occasion. I'd like to see her wear different-styled clothes: not so monotonous a style, as mentioned above. I'd prefer her more sleek. More elegant. More tailored. More often. But we each have our own sense of style, and I'm sure the First Lady doesn't give a flying flip what I think about what she wears. And yes, we all have more important things to worry about, so it's not a worry, just an observation. An opinion. It's America; we're all entitled.
When I lecture across the country, sometimes the luncheon table conversation shifts to President & Mrs. Obama. With Black audiences, there is great pride that finally there is a Black woman that people have to look at, since, all too often, Black women are often ignored in the press (unless getting attention for looking a hot mess, dressing like a hoochie, or "behaving badly").
As written in Living Well (the latest health, sex and happiness guide for Black women, that also discusses Black women's images in the media, with a foreword by Denzel Washington's wife, Pauletta) [excerpt]:
"...the 2008 presidential election resulted in there being one Black American woman no one could ignore-Michelle Obama, the first Black First Lady of the United States. People can't ignore her; they have to look at her chocolate brown skin, her hair, her hips and even the sometimes asymmetrical angle of her mouth. Fashion designers, her international counterparts and famous photographers must look at her... fashion magazines want her to grace their cover... And that's why so many Black women still root for her to do, and dress, well at all times... A friend told me, "Sisters are sure hard on Michelle Obama's clothing!" I advised him, it's not that Black women are intentionally being "hard" on her; in short, they want her "to represent." And Michelle Obama does represent well as an intelligent, articulate Black woman; as a wife and mother, and as one committed to good causes. If she misses the fashion boat at times? Oh well (I guess). We all aren't given every gift. But stylists and classic designers abound, and she has the ultimate opportunity to make use of them.
One picture Mrs. Obama caught flack for was when she was in shorts and a tee with an over-blouse, exiting a presidential vehicle. Most of the press talked about her wearing shorts. Being that she was on vacation, the shorts didn't really bother me. I think it was her hair; the "no makeup," and that blouse and tee that made the outfit look rather (shall we say) ...unbecoming. You can be on vacation, and casual, but still be nicely put together and stylish. (In fact, it could be argued that her Target 'incog' attire was even more put together than that time, when she was identifiable as the FLOTUS.)
So, again, congratulations to Mrs. Obama for getting out, relaxed and dressing incognito for her journey to Target. The attire there was spot on as she tried to not be noticed. She's entitled to a bit of normalcy in her otherwise high-profile life. But for official sightings and appearances, I'm sure there will still be periodic discussion about what is, or is not, appropriate attire for the first lady of the United States to wear. I trust that, with the help of Michael Kors (I like her in his outfits) and some others, she will make attractive and appropriate fashion choices.
And for sure we all can know that her most important duty--to take care of her man and her children, while doing the best for military families and children everywhere--is paramount, and with that, Mrs. Michelle Obama does a stellar job "17/7." [Well, she does have to sleep.]
To all...Be Healthy, Be Blessed... and make sure you are Living Well.
Copyright © 2011 Dr. Melody T. McCloud. All rights reserved. Any excerpts reproduced from this article should include a hyperlink to this-my original post on Psychology Today, with author credit.
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