The first thing I heard anyone say about Michelle Obama following her husband’s historic election on November 4th were these three words: “What was that?” And no, they weren’t talking about a radical speech that this Princeton- and Harvard-educated woman had made. People on the streets, buses and subways decried Michelle Obama’s election-night fashion choice on the morning of November 5th.
The stir that Michelle Obama’s fashion “faux pas” caused may look like usual tabloid fodder, but the attention paid by the mainstream media to our future first lady’s sense of style starts sounding a little more dubious when we view it through the multiple lenses of racism, classism and sexism. During Barack Obama’s campaign, conservative news outlets circulated analyses of Michelle Obama’s unwomanly ‘anger’ (these accusations brought on, might I add, by the understandable statement that, as a black woman, she hadn’t always been proud of her country). The title of her Princeton thesis, “Princeton-Educated Blacks and the Black Community” concerned nervous voters. Shallowly beneath the surface lay the real problem: A whole lot of Americans felt pretty uncomfortable that this highly educated black woman was actually discussing racism, instead of pretending that it didn’t exist.
With this short campaign history in mind, the debate around Michelle Obama’s election-night dress is revealed for what it truly was: A shoddily constructed effort to avoid the reality that a strong, smart, fiercely capable black woman will soon live in the White House. As much as the tabloid news might want to dumb her down as another fashion icon or victim, Michelle Obama is much more than either of those things. She’s someone who might confront us with some tough issues. Whether or not you voted for Obama, that sounds like just what we need right now.
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I didn't notice the dress at first, but the girl who pointed out its terribleness has been telling me for weeks about what excellent fashion sense Michelle has (and she's madly in love with the whole Obama family, like all good people everywhere). So I think it stands out from her usual good choices, and that gets people talking.
But with luck I'll never have to see Cindy McCain again, and for that I can get over one bad dress on lovely Michelle.
Huh!? I loved all their outfits, and thought Michelle looked great. The kids in particular were adorable.
I have to admit my first reaction to her coming on stage, besides tears of happiness, was 'what is she wearing?'. I quickly forgot about it and was filled with pride at the new first family, but I think it stood out so much to me, because she normally dresses impeccably.
Fear not! Michelle Obama will shortly be able to show the whole world what a strong, smart woman she is, and then we'll all be talking about a hell of a lot more than her outfits.
That being said, I think the huge focus on her wardrobe is that a lot of us look at her as a modern-day Wonder Woman: brilliant, strong, beautiful, a wonderful mother with a successful career, and she looks fabulous while she does it all. We want to hear what she says so we can live it, and know what she's wearing so we can buy it.
I thought it looked fun. My dad and brother insisted she looked pregnant -- wtf? She has no belly to speak of, whereas either one of my relatives, if they were female, could easily be mistaken for being in the second or third trimester. They got pretty pissed when I pointed that out... I guess it's OK for men to take potshots at a woman's appearance, but heaven forbid they get a taste of their own medicine.
How would you have taken it if they'd commented on your appearance? Can you really not see the difference between dissing a celebrity on TV and insulting family members in their living room? Really?
I'm really glad that the new First Lady looks like she cares more about politics than fashion.