Robin Givhan: Dress Repeats Signal The End Of Michelle Fashion-Mania

Washington Post:

Finally, it may be that fashion enthusiasts have become accustomed to the sight of a first lady who rarely wears suits, who prefers her dresses form-fitting and who has, perhaps, never seen a brooch that she could resist.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[MichelleDenise64]

You all are doing it again, giving me a good giggle. I really appreciate it.

[zenmonkman]

Okay! This is where I get confused. Obsessive focus on what a woman is wearing ... is that a good thing??? Imagine that if every time a man in business or an elected government official or even your own dad or grandfather was judged by what he wore that day ... I mean, doesn’t that make you cringe? It sure makes me a little light headed. I just don’t get the obsession with clothes. What am I missing here?

[MichelleDenise64]

You aren't missing anything dear some folk just choose not to focus on their own lives but rather someone else clothes. Shrugging shoulders I don't understand either.

[NonaG]

I think Michelle's cloth choices frustrate many many people and I'm glad of it, because she is refusing to be objectified or idolised for our entertainment.

She doesn't play it safe, nor does she dress for adoration. She's confident enough to wear what she wants because it's what she likes and feels comfortable in, whether we like it or not.

It would be so nice if her example moves us away from this tormenting world of vanity in excess.

[Michele Himmel]

She has two styles....­......frum­p throwback from the 50`s and office worker. Sometimes she even mixes the two.......­.ewwwwwwww­w. She has no idea she is short waisted either.

[BlondeDiet]

I agree. Hasn't anyone told her that she wears some of her choices are distinctly unflattering to her figure?
To call her a fashion icon and compare her to Jackie O is ludicrous; if she wasn't the first lady no one would look at her twice.

[yearlin]

it was over since inauguration day

[moonflowerjewelry]

i really like it when she wears motorcycle boots with a skirt.

[fictioneer]

She's a normal woman! Wears the same clothes again and again! Wow. Shocker. Givhan, why do you have a career? All of your articles on women in power have been relentlessly insulting to even the idea of a powerful woman.

[joceeco]

what's wrong with wearing the same clothing twice, or even three times. Most of us do it every week. I think that it is great that she likes her clothing so much that she wears them more than once, and plus it shows that she's not wasteful. What happened to all of those clothes that Palin had during her failed bid for Vice Presidency?

[Tugar]

ENOUGH ALREADY !

I like Michelle Obama as 1st Lady, but being very frank about it, I don't care for most of her outfits! Many of which is said to be expensive, and sometimes not. But her choice of style is not to my liking. However, I am glad to see her not wearing those form-fitting dresses she used to wear.

They were not suitable for business or daywear, more like evening cocktail dresses ! Other than that she's an excellent First Lady !

[dadw5boys]

Robins needs to produce something of value instead of stupid she wore this storys.

How about growing a garden and feeding some people ?

Something productive !

Oh Advertizers use your storys as fill in's to distract the American People from what is really important .

[FourSordidRms]

Nothing against Robin Givhan, but not sure there's a basis for a story here, other than, I guess, by now we know what Mrs. Obama's style is, i.e., what she is comfortable wearing: sheath dresses, cardigans and skirts, the occasional A-line dress, brooches and big belts. Because she has been re-wearing clothing all along (there are blogs that are scrupulously paying attention). She wore, for instance, that blue floral Talbot's dress for her Essence cover shoot. I think she is always just lovely, and the yellow dress she wore in Rome really suits her, the color and the fit.

[Cowboylove]

What is refreshing about Michelle Obama's fashion sense is it is normal. NORMAL. She dresses like most women and does not apologize for it. Buying clothes from no name new designers and J Crew and :::gasp::: Target she has given women everywhere permission to view fashion in perspective. They are only clothes and unless you are in a beauty pageant or on the Red Carpet, it really is not all that!

[thalius]

i bet michele is happy, finally maybe there will be something else to talk about other than the clothes she wears. how tiresmome to have everyone commenting on what you wear.

[parentaladvisory]

TALK ABOUT WHAT MATTERS!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!

her husband leads the free world people. what she wears is probably the least important facet of her existence.

dont get me wrong, i think she is a great lady and all but unless she is pushing for healthcare reform she isnt news.

[espressobeans]

Compared to Laura Bush's drab array, Michelle Obama is a breath of fresh air. However, my favorite first lady is Eleanor Roosevelt and I don't remember her for what she wore.