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

[bakingmom]

I LOVE Michelle Obama!!! What a fabulous role model!!! I think both Michelle and Barak demonstrate what self assurance and self confidence can mean in a leader ~ it extends to those who are watching. I think this couple (and their authentic family values) demonstrate exactly what I want my children to know from their leaders.

How fortunate we will all be to have good sense, good taste, and good manners in the white house!

[DinSea]

Couldn't have said it better.

[ZTB]

Michelle Obama has shown nothing but grace, intelligence, sophistication, compassion and class.
She is witty, very "real", and shows incredible amounts of "family values"...­..that the Repubs can
only talk about.

You go Michelle..­....we are PROUD to have you as our first lady!

[anopenmind]

I love Michelle O' she's real! Class, beauty and brains!

Check out these moving pictures of Barack in the Rain with 9,000 "it's Inspiring"
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/28/13364/503/1011/644778

[DinSea]

* WOW! * That was awesome. A man of the people and FOR the people. What a champ!

[samanthemofthesun]

How great is this? I am really frustrated because he is in Raleigh tomorrow, and I will miss it. I am sure he will get a great turnout here, I WISH for 100,000...­.The Obama's are my heroes, and I say that about NOONE.

[moveleft]

Thanks for this link. Barack could have taken the easy way out and cancelled the outdoor rally. He didn't. His supporters could have stayed home, warm and dry. 9,000 of them didn't. This says a lot about the character, strength, dignity and passion of Obama and those of us who support him. I may have been skeptical of the guy at first but with each passing day it is becomes clearer and clearer that this guy is the real deal. I already cast my early vote for him here in California (via absentee ballot) and I am exceedingly happy that I did.

[vote08now]

After watching this link, it brought tears to my eyes. The face of the people and their diehard support. This goes to show that this man is for the people and it is the people that strengthens him daily. Nonstop Barack. Thanks for all your hard work. This is why I don't mind taking the time to canvas and make phone calls on your behalf. Please people, if you can, sign up and hit the ground in your local communities. We can't get this close to the finish line and slow down. This is a must for the great people of America who have lost and struggled long enough. Michelle you empower us as well. Listening to you speak made me press turbo on what it was that I needed to do to help you all accomplish this feat. Obamas '08

[LITU]

Another thing - Michelle Obama didn't need a single cue card. Palin couldn't wipe her own A$$ without a manual on How To.

[DinSea]

Think you could have phrased that a little differently. Obama would never talk like that.

[samanthemofthesun]

Yes. Let's raise the standard above the usual. I have been thinking about that all day, upon witnessing the up and coming hysteria this election has provoked. Always with the hate. Why? I think the whole point of the Obama campaign is to vote for hope, not fear. Let's keep it hopeful! There are some very frightened people out there....

[beniceorshutup]

True fashion...­.cruel libs.

One question..­....If we all shop online won't some jobs be eliminated?

Hmmmm just wondering.

[DBJ]

Are you serious with that question? After you place an online order you still need manual labor, quality control, packing, shipping, customer service, billing, returns, etc..

[LITU]

The woman has so much class, as compared to Sarah Palin, who has zero class. But apparently, many Americans share Palin's shortcoming - NO CLASS.

[aaronsanders]

I think it tells something to see what kind of woman somebody marries. If this is the woman he loves, think of what values he loves.

http://www.votesmarter2008.com

[brief candle]

This is a person with a good heart. You can't fake that kind of serenity.

[Anastasia]

She's so fabulous.

What terrific role models, both Barack and Michelle are.

[CindyM2008]

and the top:
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shirtstops/camisblouses/PRDOVR~97338/99101603642/97338.jsp

[covelite]

Hey, thanks for the links for the outfit ensemble. Hmm, that's still $340 for the outfit, minus the shoes, more than I care to spend, but slightly less (about 100 times cheaper) than a Palin outfit.
Too bad the colors are sold out, except for the blouse, or I'd buy one for the wife, just for kicks.
The other thing is, how can she shop at jcrew when her mom works (or worked) at competitor spiegel?
All said in jest, of course. Very classy lady. I loved the way she defended Palin AND did not attack the media for making the comments, she basically skirted all blame and instead tried to see the perspective of the "victim".

[CindyM2008]

Here is the sweater
http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/sweaters/dream/PRDOVR~96233/99101509577/96233.jsp

[eden4barack08]

The skirt?

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~99737/99737.jsp

[carriellbee]

This is the skirt.

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~96410/96410.jsp

[judyj]

It's such a responsibility to be "first" anything, but to be the first black american family in the white house is huge. This family couldn't be a better pick for the country. Two intelligent, well spoken, even tempered, and kind...not available anywhere else in this election. If they win, I will be proud to have cast my vote for Obama in '08

[ITSDEE]

My Sentiments Exactly!

[beniceorshutup]

why does it have to be about race? how many people are voting for Obama just because of his race and not the issues? Too many to count.....­.


I am very proud to have voted for McCain, a man who has served this country and has experience in so many areas, unlike his competition.

[condieshoes]

She looks fabulous! Taste and class cannot be purchased.

When the super rich of the GOP were talking about "ordinary" people buying and wearing designer jackets that cost $3,000.00 and then the statement "well, what was she supposed to do, buy her clothes and Lands' End?" uh, yeah.

I got news, Michelle Obama looks four times as good buying at J. Crew than Palin at 150k. You can buy great looking tailoring and good fabric at Talbots, for $100.00, $85.00 up to $300.00 and that's it. I laughed out loud when I heard the 150k thing. I said, "I could dress that woman for $10,000.00 and she'd look twice as professional than she looks now." TACKY is a word that comes to mind. Palin looks tacky despite the money.

The remark about Lands End was an insult to American women, who shop with a budget and have class to boot.

And did you notice how gracious Michelle was about Palin, who has said and inferred some pretty despicable things about Michelle Obama.

CLASS!!!!!!!

[1099]

Since when is shopping out of a catalog for J Crew or Lands' End something that the middle class does? It's not like catalogue clothes are that inexpensive unless you are comparing them to the price of clothes at Neiman's or Sak's. I'm sure a lot of middle income families are dropping $60 -$70 on paird of jeans from J Crew.

[YankeeCanuck]

Hint: That clothing is classic and lasts.

[phoenics]

I'm middle income and that's fairly inexpensive. I also shop at Target and other places. I like to mix high and low end pieces...

But the point is that Michelle Obama never tried to label herself as a woman of the people who is another hockeymom like anyone else... Palin did - and Palin is the one who spent $150K on clothes.

Her clothing is pretty normal for someone who is an attorney. Actually, it's a wonder she's not dripping in more designer labels - but she still looks SO amazing.

[libbygirl]

I would be so proud to have this family in the White House. My fingers (and everything else) are still crossed. I'm glad there's only one more week to go!

[zenandpeace]

Me too! She was so gracious and so calming. She IS the type of first lady we need. God, she is so freakin' awesome.

[HallStyle]

Michelle is awesome! WOW! I could listen to her speak for hours. What a overwhelming personality. She has all the characteristics of what a First Lady Should be!

http://www.hallstyle.blogspot.com

[crazyfem1980]

Michelle did buy her clothes on J.Crew - check out the skirt...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/27/michelle-obama-tells-leno_n_138401.html

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~99737/99737.jsp


she is a very simple lady... unlike palin seems that her image is more important - what do you expect from a woman who was in a pageant - once she gets the taste of money in her hand she goes all out - and the trip that the family uses who pays for that?

palin abused her power when she was the governor in alaska - no wonder they hate her and the project "bridge to alaska is it?" was not even done... over all palin and mccain is losing big time due to their lack of organization and lack of knowledge on budgeting for their own campaign. not very smart...

[carriellbee]

This is the skirt.

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/skirts/pencil/PRDOVR~96410/96410.jsp

[ThirdEye]

When you have brains AND class such as Michelle Obama exhibits, it doesn't matter what you wear....yo­u will always look good.
On the other hand ,some people are completely deficient or lacking in these traits and are compelled to spend $10,000.00 on an outfit to try and make up for these deficiencies.