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.

Story continues below

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

[forthepeople1]

Being Vain and Narcissistic always shows through in a human behavior. Sarah Palin has demonstrated this by her $150,000 and extravagant spending during this election and as governor in Alaska. Cindy Lou definitely demonstrated her Vain-ness and Narcissistic,.................................................( ARISTOCRATIC- I-AM-BETTER-THAN-YOU) behavior when she appeared in her $300,000 designer duds the first night of the Republican Convention. Along with that you sense coldness. Michele OBAMA demonstrates a down home warmth that easily comes across each time you see her.

If tables were turned, I feel that Michelle Obama would always avoid obscene extravagance, and designer clothes, and spending obscene amounts of money like wearing a $300,000 designer outfit for ONE EVENING. That does not appear to be who she is and what she is about. I don't think that is in Michele OBAMA's DNA. However, Cindy Lou and reeks from being Vain and Elitist. That shows dominate and clearly every time you see her.
IN MY OPINION:
Cindy Lou has grown up on a different tree. This type of obscene expense on herself is common place for her. Her entire look at money is extremely arrogant and aristocratic. Michele OBAMA is more centered on family and the working classes, fairness and she is just down to earth. She understands working mom quite well. Michele OBAMA is elegant in a soft down home way. Importantly, she is intelligent, well educated, and well grounded. No air and no thin air. I'll take that anytime.

[lilturd71]

All I can say is, what a class act! Michelle Obama displays such grace, thoughtfulness, compassion and charisma and we'd all be so fortunate to have the Obama family in the White House. What a breath of necessary fresh air these two are.

Vote early! Vote Obama-Biden!!!

[boogiewoman]

I think Obama gets alot of strength from the woman around him. She seems to be a very strong and smart woman.

[KoolBreez]

From 'Women' around him.. Don't forget toot..

[Waitingon4th]

She is what we call in the south "good people! Down-to-earth, speaks from the heart, and don't ever forget where they come from. I admire them for that.

She's charming!

[AtlantaBlueNProud]

...and she's so classey to boot...can't wait till she is The First Lady.

[coco51]

Devdil, I had to take another look at the clip...you were distracted by her knee? so what you're saying is that when a woman wearing trousers and sandals is speaking to you, you're distracted by her toes. How trifling are you? see that is the sexism that rankles. It's sad you can't speak with a woman without breaking her down to into parts.

[brabra]

GO VOTE EVERYBODY...OBAMA...OBAMA...OBAMA...OBAMA

[PoliticalRockChick]

Like Babs says "Hello Gorgeous".

[SonofSolomon]

I wonder if Cindy mcCain woud do so well? I think not.

[Martampa]

Palin's clothes are classy! Michelle Obama's are nice! Cindy McCain needs some lessons regarding clothes and hair. She looks like a lady of the night! All the money in the world can't make a woman look good.

[khaleef49]

You are absolutely right. I say that every time I see her on tv. Glad to see that it's not just me.

[Verified]

Of course she she looks like a woman of the night. That's why McCain married her because she was hot. It's a sad pathetic thing when a woman has such little self esteem that she has to try to make herself look like a twenty five year old when she should be aging gracefully. There's nothing more attractive than an elegant older woman with "experience" lines and wisdom in her eyes. Poor Cindy McCain. But what else could you expect from a woman who tolerated her husband calling her the C word and the T word in public? Women married to abusive men are rarely comfortable in their own skin.

[emagban]

Cindy seems like she's always on the verge of some kind of a horrible breakdown.

[phoenics]

Amazing how stylish she looks - proves you don't have to have a ton of money to be a style icon. Palin's wardrobe looks pedestrian and unimaginative next to Obama's.

I love her outfit. So creative and stylish.

[DeniseD]

She definitely has her own style and knows what colors look best on her. I love the accessories she chooses. Michelle is an incredible woman. She is smart, funny and a wonderful role model for my daughters. She is a great asset for Barack.

[kokuaguy]

That color is great on her, and it's much more flattering than the gold/yellow frock Cindy McCain was wearing at the convention. I think purple is not good on our next FL (not sure why.) What does everyone think about this color for her? The moment I saw this I thought she should wear it more often. As for the Jackie O comparison, I just shudder at the thought that Michelle's life could turn out to be a fraction as tragic as Jackie's. Fortunately she was not alive to see the tragic death of her son and daughter in law. Let all God loving people pray for the protection and success of the Obamas.

[bash]

I know that Michelle and her daughters and her mother wiil look stunning on Inauguration Day, both for the swearing in and the balls in the evening no matter where her clothes come from. Make it happen, go and vote.

[devdil]

Of all the candidates, the Obamas have the BEST family situation possible. Intact family; no rumored affairs; great kids; and respect for elders. No unseemly stuff at all. Dont we all aspire for something like that? And the republicans dare call these guys "not one of us" ?
A small quibble. While I love Michelle and her clothes (her dress on the "The View" was fantastic); I really think she should stay away from short skirts or skirts that ride up. Its not that the dress on Leno was obscene. It was a tad distracting.

[scotia626]

get over yourself. she looked great and your commetn is nutso!!

[hellinahandbasket415]

I agree with the family aspect of your comment...

But the skirt...
She's a woman...a full figured, shapely grown woman and I love that she dresses in a feminine and classy way.
There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with showing some curves or skin as long as one keeps it classy...and she does.

[fishgirl26]

She is a tall woman and finding clothes to fit her length is difficult. She still looks fantastic and I look forward to seeing them in the White House!!!

[westreal]

Warm, likable, funny and smart.

[MissKaren]

She is a really impressive human being.

[JestMe]

Michelle had me at "hello". She's a class act and a wonderfully strong woman. Great for the USA.
By: A white guy and an Obamian who voted as such. I was in The Bahamas over the weekend and saw a bunch of "Bahamas for Obama". It was great. I voted Monday. It's well worth any wait. Git er done!
Go Obama!!

[PCRX]

I would be honored to have these folks as neighbors. They are the real deal.