Michelle Obama On Tonight Show: I Shop At J. Crew, Buy Online (VIDEO)

BURBANK, Calif. — No $150,000 wardrobe malfunctions for Michelle Obama.

"Actually, this is a J. Crew ensemble," the wife of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama told comedian Jay Leno on Monday on his talk show. She wore a yellow sweater, skirt and blouse ensemble.

"You can get some good stuff online," she added.

WATCH WHOLE APPEARANCE (CLOTHES COMMENT W/4:15 LEFT):

Questioned by Leno, the potential first lady declined to criticize GOP vice presidential hopeful Sarah Palin about revelations that the Republican National Committee spent $150,000 at Neiman Marcus and other high-end retailers on clothes and accessories for Palin and her family.

Obama said she and her husband have a policy of spending their own money on their clothes. But she said she wanted to be "empathetic."

"A V.P. pick, it's like being shot out of a cannon. All of a sudden you're at the center of attention, and you want to look good," said Michelle Obama, adding she has never met Palin. "You're living in your home, minding your business, and all of a sudden you're on the national stage and everyone's watching."

Leno asked about Barack Obama's ailing grandmother. Obama recently left the campaign trail to spend time in Hawaii with his grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, who virtually raised him and is his main remaining family.

"She's doing OK, up and down. But we are just grateful that he took time off and went to see her," Michelle Obama said. She said her husband credited his grandmother, whom he calls "Toot," with teaching him strength.

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She quoted him as saying: "'She's tough, she's been through a lot. She's still hanging on. If you wonder where I got my toughness, it's from Toot.'"

She said neither of Obama's two young daughters is overly excited by the campaign.

Ten-year-old Malia's reaction to her father's plans to air a 30-minute paid advertisement on national TV Wednesday night?

"'You're going to be on all the TV? Are you going to interrupt my TV?'" her mother said Malia asked.

She said Barack Obama reassured his daughter that he hadn't bought time on the Disney Channel.

Comments

[ck one]

She is a class act. I love her style, so classic. Very approachable, not plastic.

[momforbetterworld]

She's the kind of working mother I admire, not that moose-killer Sarah that I think it's a walking joke to us mothers. Michelle went to Princeton, she dresses appropriate and she answers her questions with grace.

[dajay]

momforbetterworld: What are you talking about? Just because you don't agree with Sarah Palin's politics, doesn't mean she has to be a bad mother and MO is a good one.

How stupid is that and just childish.

[pupbayer]

She dresses appropriately? I have no problem with the styles she wears but she needs to go a size or 2 bigger. She wouldn't looked so "stuffed" into her clothes and wouldn't have to keep pulling at her skirts if her clothes actually fit her. Hopefully, when the get into the White House there will be someone who can help her select appropriate clothing.

[cufflynk]

Truly a class act. The White House should be humbled to have her grace its doorways. She is truly an American hero and a woman to be admired. God Bless her!!

[dajay]

OMG You have got to be kidding. "An American hero", "Humbled to have her grace its doorways>"

Keep piling on the bull. I need a shovel to close down my computer.

[pupbayer]

It's time to put the bottle away. Really, you've drunk enough for one night.

[afroangel]

look sarah, this is class and elegance you can't buy. look and learn.

[jenrose]

LOL ..Hillary will be a great backbone for whatever they need! Hillary I love her but she is too crass and Bill is the soft spoken smoothie who gets the message out. She was his backbone for sure but what a team different in perspectives.

Michelle has the softness we want while the Hillary I want in a softer tone. Think of Carter in those ads of being alone in the white house for major decisions. Do you want cindy or michelle??????????????

[dajay]

I don't know. I would have preferred Bill Clinton as First Lady, myself.

[jenrose]

This is a first lady we need after many years of draught...Bring us life and reality to our lives again. Bless you Michelle and go go go Girl!!!!

[dorie12]

A friend of mine tried to use the "Muslim" thing against Obama with me and hinted at the associated suppression of women as a reason for me to be concerned. (I guess he was trying to connect it with something I could "relate to.")

I laughed and laughed. His marriage to Michelle gracefully blows all of that out of the water.

[haveitoldyoulately]

suppression of women ??????? In what way? He's FOR a woman's right to choose....and Michelle does seem like an suppressed woman. She was: an associate at the Chicago office of the law firm Sidley Austin...Assistant to the Mayor of Chicago...Assistant Commissioner of Planning and Development.... Executive Director for the Chicago office of Public Allies....Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago....Vice President for Community and External Affairs for University of Chicago Hospitals (and still works there part time)

[dorie12]

Of course. Obama would never have married Michelle if he were some secret suppressor of women. That's why I laughed and laughed at my friend's suggestion. This is where the Republicans are this year -- making outrageous charges because they basically have squat.

[FdeBear]

I'm glad you did. And you know - let's get this straight about women in Islam - they are not suppressed liittle ignorant women. Granted, there are many sects and people who practice tribal customs that have nothing to do with Islam, but just look at the women of Malaysia, Indonesia, the United States and yes, the Middle East who are highly accomplished and independent in their thinking. There are so many stupid misconceptions about Islam. Islamic women have been world leaders and we in this country are just getting around to it. Most of these attitudes come from people who do not know Muslims or have ever visited a mosque or read the Koran. You'd think we lived in the 11th Century. Most women in Islam are like modern women everywhere. The religion of Islam does not require the suppression of women. but like most of us women, they still have to contend with patriarchal, male power structures as well.

[Revelation]

I truly adore this lady. She is authentic, smart and classy. dear Lord, could she please become our next first lady.

[BannedInBoston]

Oh, we all love her. I think she's totally charming as well as extremely intelligent. It's also obvious from their public displays of affection that she and her husband really love each other. That would be nice to have in the White House to. (God, I'm going to gush all over Huffpost if I write any more!)

[CologneCitizen]

Michelle Obama brings back the dignity and decency of what a first lady should be. Natural beauty is not counted in 150K spent on clothes. It comes from inside a person and cannnot be bought.. America will be proud next week when Obama is elected and the whole world will be thrilled to find the dark Bush years are over.

[JNagarya]

What a gracious, basic person. Class. Wonderful to have intelligence and humor, in place of constant snarling and mendacity.

[OneLiberalLady]

She is just amazing! I cannot imagine a better role model for children, and for us all. Even mature adults need inspiration and good examples...

[kimmmmmmmmm]

total class !!!!!

[eden4barack08]

Where's the apology? dphilip, where are you? DPHILIP?

***crickets***

What a whack job!

[dphilip]

Here I am...........It does "appear" to have been crap....although we are talking about the New York Post here. ..........Therefore, you have my apology.
You see, regardless of where the facts take me, if it's the truth that I'm looking for, I follow.

[sfden50]

Good God she has so much CLASS! She is going to ROCK as 1st lady!

[wwoodsm]

What a wonderful person Michelle is in all her appearances. It will be such an honor to have her and Barack in the White House starting 2009.