The Obamas Discuss Dressing On A Budget (VIDEO)

In early July the Obama family sat down for an interview with Maria Menounos of "Access Hollywood." One of the topics discussed was Barack's status as a style icon, which amused his wife and daughters because, as Michelle points out in the interview, his belt and shoes need replacing, and his pants are 10 years old ("I hate to shop," he explains). Michelle also reveals that the sundress she's wearing is from the Gap: "Fortunately now they make really pretty stuff at all price ranges... [Barack] will be happy to know that this is, like, a $30 dress." Her husband then high-fives her, and daughter Sasha announces "Mommy buys everything from Gap!"

WATCH:

"Mommy" also buys things from H&M:

This dress cost $34.95.

**Read about the RNC's $150,000 spending spree to outfit the Palin family.

**See Obama's shoes (with holes in the soles).

**See a slideshow of more Obama family moments.

Comments

[Eek909]

02:38 PM on 10/25/2008

Michelle Obama is a lovely woman, and you can really see the love and connection they all have as a family.

Money can't buy class, that's for sure.

[Kinomd]

02:31 PM on 10/24/2008

funny i heard MO wears designer clothes and has her own personal tailer. ??????? BO is wearing 10 year old pants????? Find all of that very hard to believe. But He is a millionaire and made about 4 million on his book last year. Not enough time to spend it????

[Territc]

09:09 AM on 11/11/2008

MO wears designer and non designer stuff. She shops at various places including J Crew, Target and Walmart. She has a personal designer that she has used for a very long time and who has dressed her for most of the campaign. However, just because they are millionaires doesn't mean they should now shop till they drop. There are more important things - like a roof over thier heads, education and obviously the best for their daughters. I have someclothes that I had had for over 10 years and I like wearing them becuase they are comfortable and I like them. I don't shop for the sake of shopping. You seem to be implying that just because they have money they must now go and splurge on clothes. They have good financial sense and will continue to exercise it. Of course we can all see that Barack does shop - look at his suits, but he does it out of necessity and not because he likes it.

[Shrinath]

12:29 PM on 10/24/2008

Earlier on, during the primaries I was rooting for Hillary. That was before I heard Michelle talk. A reflection on one's spouse often talks volumes about the person. Though this conclusion is neither scientific and I have no knowledge about the psychological basis for such decision making. What I do know is that, the Obamas are a family. And it is very clear that Barack has tremendous respect for Michelle and they both complement each other. This is a reflection of their beliefs. Michelle and Barack are not shallow. And the children are cute. :)

[peanut]

09:12 AM on 10/24/2008

While I am rooting for an Obama win and I can't bear to see another photo of Sarah Palin( just go back to Alaska and stay there), lets get real! Once the Obamas are in the White House, they will be wearing the expensive clothes from Sak's Neimans and the top of the line designers. It is just a part of being in that high position and representing the weathiest country in the world ( although it doesn't feel like that these days). I have no problems with that and I don't think anyone else should.
I was a teacher and I always bought expensive clothes....I am sure some of my colleague thought I spent all my money on clothes and shoes. That was not the case. I just learn to bargain shop and never pay full price for anything I wore, except the St John knit I got to wear to a Rose Garden reception at the White House. I was there representing my school. We had won an award for academic excellence.
So, I look forward to seeing Michelle in the beautiful designer clothes. She looks good in her Gap clothes but she will be fabu-lo-u-s in the designer ones.

[Shrinath]

12:35 PM on 10/24/2008

Nothing wrong in getting designer clothes. You work hard for that money and no one can question that. And yes. The First Family does showcase the rest of the country to the world. They can get outfitted and no one would begrudge them. What SP did was just plain vulgar. And the worst part is, she does not carry off the clothes she wore.

[radnip]

12:25 AM on 10/26/2008

Maybe they'll actually be smart and realize you don't need designer clothes. Even taking a pattern and fabric to a tailor is CHEAPER than lots of designer clothing.

And as Michelle says, there are many many stores out there where you can get perfectly fine clothes for a couple hundred $ or UNDER. Gap, Ann Taylor, H&M, many many more. Check out the local stores in your town!

[honestpolitician]

10:03 PM on 10/23/2008

Obams's family is so cute...

POLITICAL AD ATTACKS!! http://politicaladattacks.blogspot.com/

[mirrimatmlw]

09:46 PM on 10/23/2008

And she looks a lot more stylish in her $35 dress than Sarah in her Saks and N-M wardrobe!

[ChristianEcon.com]

10:55 PM on 10/23/2008

Sarah looks 80's.

[ckinsobe]

12:56 AM on 10/24/2008

Like Jon Stewart said, that red leather jacket she got looks like the one Michael Jackson wore in Thriller!

[Julesbaby]

02:35 AM on 10/24/2008

Sarah in her Saks and N-M wardrobe

casting my eye down these posts I just read that as Sarah in her S and M wardrobe! LOL
been listening to too many guys talk about her, I think.

Michelle is a dream, as is Barack and those gorgeous girls. People who do not need Emperor's clothes. Class shines through.

[The Lorax]

09:29 PM on 10/23/2008

O! M! G! I am just smitten with this family. I absolutely love them. They are real and they are so close. I love the chemistry between Michelle and Barack and the relationship that shows with their kids. This extends to the Bidens as well, they are a beautiful family, just like the Obamas. I would be so honored to have Obama and Biden in the White House.

[radnip]

12:26 AM on 10/26/2008

The girls are adorable.

[rozgeorge]

09:27 PM on 10/23/2008

Michelle Obama has good taste. The gap has a lot of pretty inexpensive clothes. For $150,000 Michelle, you could have put the gap out of business. YOU GO GIRL

[joefazio]

08:42 PM on 10/23/2008

Obama and his family entering the White House is
really going to be a breath of fresh air.

I truly look forward to this man and the Obama Team
leading this country.

Obama...truly a man for our times.

[Kinomd]

02:32 PM on 10/24/2008

scary

[MarkKienan]

07:55 PM on 10/23/2008

I love these people. I am so proud that america has embraced them!!!!!

[kozmik]

07:04 PM on 10/23/2008

My boots cost $320... 10 years ago. Highest quality, fit like a glove, and they can be rebuilt for another 10+ years. I think disposable culture is ugly and wasteful.

[VirgoGrrrlie]

07:02 PM on 10/23/2008

Michelle Obama makes any & every outfit look its BEST - she is a class act of the best kind: not a snob, but a natural-born beautiful WOMAN. And Barack Obama prioritizes for what it most important in his life: serving the people, not serving his ego. The whole Obama family are gorgeous to look at - because they beautiful INSIDE as well!!

[Kinomd]

02:34 PM on 10/24/2008

she is an angry snob!!!!!!

[radnip]

12:28 AM on 10/26/2008

Um, wow. In what way? Examples, please. I am finding in this election season, asking for definitions is a must.

Apparently you're an everyday middle class woman as long as someone else bought your wardrobe. Or is she going to deny that she wore the stuff fashionistas say they saw on her?

[stayinsouth1981]

05:58 PM on 10/23/2008

I hope they decide to send their kids to Sidwell Friends.

[Kinomd]

02:32 PM on 10/24/2008

to public school?

[danielmcvicar]

05:49 PM on 10/23/2008

I like his family. They will handle this swing in the presidency well.

[dennyd]

05:03 PM on 10/23/2008

OH he is SUCH an elitest!!

[ParanoidPollyanna]

08:12 PM on 10/23/2008

The McCain/Palin Style & Substance "GAP"

1 Peter 5:5 - "Clothe yourselves with humility towards one another, because, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

Well, juding from the $150,000 grand old party "shopping spree" Gov. Sarah Palin went on, I don't think she is planning on being humble, instead she dresses, talks and "acts like she thinks she is better than everybody else", which is the definition she gave for "What is an Elitist" when being interviewed by NBC's Brian Williams, ironically. I would say exuding contempt for millions of her fellow Americans and the way she brags about herself and snowmachine Todd, shows arrogance and hubri, not humility. McCain and Palin are the ELITISTS and their cynical "class warfare" and amazing HYPOCRISY are a NEW LOW for the Right-Wing Conservative IDIOCRACY!

[ChristianEcon.com]

10:57 PM on 10/23/2008

Nice post. Thanks for sharing that verse.

[ckinsobe]

12:58 AM on 10/24/2008

Sarah - Let them eat cake- Palin.

[radnip]

12:29 AM on 10/26/2008

In what way? Because he is educated and articulate? I agree with you...I always vote for the least educated and least articulate for President.

NOT!