Michelle Obama’s first wardrobe malfunction?
Although she’s known for regularly sporting Jimmy Choos in the neighborhood of $600, a few blogsters and citizens have arched an eyebrow at her wearing a pair of Lavin Cap Toe Sneakers with grosgrain ribbon laces that sell for $565 at Barney’s New York.
She wore the shoes while helping the homeless last week during at the Capitol Area Food Bank for Feeding America.
She is being chided for the decadence, I guess.
Others wonder if they were gifts or on loan or what have you. But the Obama’s have repeatedly said that they buy what they wear.
I suspect critics are keeping a close eye on such things to keep them honest. And judging from their 2008 tax return, even with a steep drop in income from $4.2 million in 2007 to $2.7 million in 2008, something tells me she can afford a couple pairs of expensive, cutesy sneakers.
Is it in bad taste to flaunt some stylish kicks while bagging groceries for the less fortunate. I don’t know. To me, it just seems like she went into her closet and pulled out something comfy to wear for spending a few hours on her feet. If she didn’t own a pair of shoes from Target or some comparable lower priced store, I would not be outraged or surprised.
How much is too much to spend on clothing? I’ve always thought it depended on your income. If you can’t afford it, then it costs too much.
People who yell at other people for spending ungodly sums of money on shoes or handbags or what-have-you annoy me because it’s really none of your business what I buy with my money.
But I’m not Obama, she’s a public figure with different responsiblities. I don’t think one of those responsibilities is to wear things we can afford. The shoes aren’t garish or inappropriate. They are shoes people.
Expensive, yes. Offensive, no.
Previous Post: A Tall Girl’s View of Michelle Obama’s fashion
A wayward soul from Las Vegas, Nevada, who now calls St. Louis home and believes that fashion is relative and capricious, but style is always in favor. 
Bigger issue is why can’t she buy clothing that FITS and STAND UP GIRL your posture stinks. Lady O: you are NOT an Audrey Hepburn petite: your cardigans are beautiful but they GAPE across the girth likewise the too tight draws. Skinny jeans are for……yes, skinny girls!
Actually, I find those sneakers just about the ugliest things I’ve ever seen and if I had a billion I wouldn’t buy something that ugly to wear, no matter what it cost, but if she actually likes them, then it’s her money not mine.
I do agree with our Card’s fan. These shoes are not cute to me.
But as far as the posture comment, I’ve never noticed any slouching from Obama. She always seems to carry herself well.
Debra, thanks for finally addressing this. Sorry, but Michelle, who is lovely, does indeed slotch a lot, but that is typical of very tall women.
I am tall and my mother ingrained in me to stand with my shoulders back.
And yes, she definately wears her sweaters too small and too tight. I think she tries to hard to dress hip and “young” rather than like the First Lady that she is. She always looks lovely when she dresses well and appropriately, but not when she tries to look “hip.” She really needs to lose that J. Crew thing like she dresses “like everyone else.” Give that one a rest Michelle. You are wealthy and the First Lady. You can buy clothes that most of us could never even dream of owning. As the saying goes, “be true to yourself.” You are not fooling anyone with your “I’m just like everyone else” stuff. You have achieved a status that most of us never will. Grow up and act (dress) like it. P.S. Her too small sweaters make her breasts look very small and her butt look really big.
Really? Seriously? Come on now…
Well, I stand corrected. I’ve asked friends and they agree that Mrs. O is a sloucher. It’s a common problem among the tall, but I really hadn’t noticed it on her, perhaps because she towers over everyone. Her shoulders are rounded but I don’t think it’s severe.
I guess she needs a Pilates teacher (Michelle, I’m available!). I think the problem might be that she needs to start exercising her back muscles. Looks like she’s probably doing chest and arm exercises that focus on her front. That means the muscles in front are shortening and the back muscles stretching. If she balances out her back exercises, I think she’s straighten up quick.
I still don’t understand why everyone thinks she is so stylish. Maybe she should spend less on her ugly sneakers and give more to the food bank…