Robin Givhan On Michelle's Shorts: 'She Looked Fine, But That Doesn't Make It Okay'

Washington Post:

Obama, who joined the president and their two daughters for an excursion to the national park, looked like any other American tourist. Indeed, many sad-sack sightseers could take a few lessons from her style. The shorts fit her figure; she was not wearing a souvenir top that read: "My family went to Washington and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." She was not sporting a fanny pack. Or wearing beaten-up rubber flip-flops. She looked fine.

But that doesn't make the ensemble okay.

Read the whole story: Washington Post

Comments

[Niasia]

If I were going to the freaking Grand Canyon I would wear shorts. Geez nothing is ever good enough! Who cares about tradition change it if you would like. I think she looked fine!

[benne]

Robin made a good point. She looked like a spoiled rich lady, when she was photographed next to the two military guys standing at attention. That doesn't mean she should never wear shorts, but not such informal ones when descending from Airforce One.

[SukNg]

Americans r so entertaining

[DaisyDooks]

It's freakin' hot. Shorts are appropriate. Break with tradition. Carve your own. Attire was appropriate for the destination.

[BlackYowe]

If my legs looked that good I would dangle them from short pants at every opportunity.

[michaleenflynn]

Excellent article, perfectly stated.

[msoverall]

I have an idea, for all of you who insist that Mrs. Obama should be flogged, why don't you write to her and include your fashion suggestions, include pictures and hair/makeup advice, plus a picture of yourself and see if she cares?

[worldviewer]

an unnecessarily long winded way of saying i expect you to dress how i want you to dress. whoever sat down at wrote this article needs to find a hobby.

[BlackYowe]

Exactly

[DaisyDooks]

Touche!

[nilotic]

I thought the point was that she expects the First Lady to dress in a more dignified manner, rather than looking like a Wal-Mart shopper. It is not elitist to dress more thoughtfully for the position you hold. There's casual, and there's casual....

[ais1956]

What happened to government "of the people, by the people and for the people".
It is refreshing to have a real American woman in the White House, instead of one of her privileged predecessors, who suggested that the victims of Hurricane Katrina were not so badly off living in football stadiums, because they were under privileged to start with.
If the fashion police don't like the way 'their' First Lady looks, they should leave this country. Let them move to a country which still has a monarchy. Like Great Britain (where England is now) or even better - let them move to Saudi Arabia.

[Bafun]

Yes Saudi Arabia. They have no problem with fashion issues!

[pyro]

Who cares what Givhan thinks. She's a dolt, and dead wrong about this. I was sorry I wasted my time reading her article.

[SukNg]

Thanks to all the negative comments, those shorts have come to represent, worldwide, the Resistance against the same ideas that it's critics champion. It's become an institution too! Hahaha!

[sophierose]

I think when you are the first African American family in the White House, you will come under extraordinary scrutiny..­Sure it's not fair, and yes, it is a heavy burden..Bu­t it is history in the making, sometimes they will have to adjust to that..No first family, of any background is thought well of, when they exhibit an "in your face" attitude..­Amy Carter was allowed to read books at State Dinners, so she wouldn't get "bored." This was not appreciated by the public at all. Betty Ford is the unsung hero of first ladies, she brought attention to both breast cancer and addiction. She then devoted her civilian life to founding a rehab center, and promoting mammograms­.But she had to reveal a lot of her struggles at the time. It is a tough job, being first family, but it has perks that far outweigh taking a little extra effort with one's image..Mic­helle should be hoping to make it easier and more usual for many more AA's in the White House in future generations. I think her husband is very aware of the historical nature of his election, she should be too. If that takes her out of her comfort level once in a while, tough, deal with it.

[dct1999]

lmao!

Mrs. Obama isn't the one having difficutly dealing with her role. Those having problems with their "comfort levels" are people like you.

[sophierose]

One of my early memories took place in my grandmother's kitchen. [She was a refugee from the progroms in Poland.] My older, male, cousin, had gotten in a fight in the neighborhood, which was multi cultural and working class. He came in and said the "n" word. My teeny little grandma dragged him in a headlock to the kitchen sink and washed his mouth out with brown laudry soap. She then sat him down and spoke passionately to both of us about "hate". We never forgot.
Just curious, but if the shoe was on the other foot, do you think the black kid he had the fight with, who also called him a bad name, got the same punishment? My cousin was not in trouble for fighting, that was pretty common, he got in trouble for hateful words.
It's interesting that a fashion column has evolved into a discussion of race. Maybe that's not a bad thing..It can be a safe place to air misunderstandings.

[Pema]

i think the fashion has nothing to do with her skin color. why does that factor? it doesnt. its because she younger than any other first lady in a long time and she likes fashion. As long as you keep bringing up skin color, you seperate yourself. you seperate her and she is everyones first lady.

[dct1999]

Where do I mention rce or color in my reply?

[PoliSci2008]

Sophieros, well said and on many points. Although I don't have a problem with her shorts, but there is a sizable segment of the population who does, and it's much easier for the FL to make it a non-issue by conforming to historical practices.

Hillary Clinton, a very modern, in your face professional woman, had an unflattering appearance which was scrutinized heavily, the press even questioned her sexuality, but she eventually agreed to a make over.

Professional African Americans in a visible managerial roles will agreed that their positions do come unnder extraordinary scrutiny, and it is necesary to make good impressions not only for your own career purposes, but for the next generation. For years I never saw any blacks in my profession, and I was challenged constantly, but always maintained a professional decorum, despite it all, but was able to recruit other blacks (whites, latins, and asians too) and at least make it feasible for the next generation.

The same principal applies to the FL, too.

[PoliSci2008]

Sophieros, well said and on many points. Although I don't have a problem with her shorts, but there is a sizable segment of the population who does, and it's much easier for the FL to make it a non-issue by conforming to historical practices.

Hillary Clinton, a very modern, in your face professional woman, had an unflattering appearance which was scrutinized heavily, the press even questioned her sexuality, but she eventually agreed to a make over.

Professional African Americans in visible managerial roles will agree that their positions do come unnder extraordinary scrutiny, and it is necesary to make good impressions not only for your own career purposes, but for the next generation. For years I never saw any blacks in my profession, and I was challenged constantly, but always maintained a professional decorum, despite it all, but was able to recruit other blacks (whites, latins, and asians too) and at least make it feasible for the next generation.

The same principle applies to the FL, too.

[sophierose]

PoliSci, congratulations on your achievements, it is still not an easy road for women in the workplace.­.Prior to changing careers, I worked my way up the ladder in an old line northeastern ad agency..Ta­lk about working twice as hard for half the money, in those days, and forget having even a bad hair day! Watching "Mad Men" about dinosaurs in a Ny ad agency is like fingernails on a blackboard to me. I am not sure how much has changed either for women of color, or women in general.. It can be very stressful, indeed, and in the end, it wasn't worth it to me..Too much time from family, and just "living". My daughters have no clue, they assume things have always been kind of fair, even if they recognize there is still a ways to go..Those that come after you have a lot for which to thank you. But I hope you would agree, that the best outcome for all of us, would be that they view any barriers as something sort of old fashioned and in the distant past, that only their elders remember and that has no part in their reality.

[montecarlo408]

I'm Michelle Obama's biggest fan, and I usually defend her, but that outfit is really indefensible. I wouldn't wear that to go in public and get out of my car with no cameras around.

It's her life, though, and she can do what she wants. I think that she needs a little more polished look sometimes, but that's me. I still think that she's doing a great job.

[Alarmist]

yes. I am also a huge fan, but I feel her outfits are extreme hits or misses.

[carmen63]

I appreciate the substance of this article tremendously and the message is right on: MO has responsibilities and privileges, step up to the challenge.

The fanatism displayed in these blogs to somehow deify MO (deify: to make a god of; raise to the condition of a god) is absurd: if you don't like MO's belt you are a racist or a 'hater' . So, what is great about America and Americans when that poor mentality is being shown through vicious comments on and on?? Nothing!

Haven't you learned from President Obama to 'disagree without being disagreeable'?

[tel8034]

This reminds me of all the hullaballoo Diana got for not being "royal" enough, and because she insisted that "the heir and the spare" experience all that non-royals did every day.

Buckingham Palace was mortified, and most in the UK followed suit with criticism.­..........­..... But they eventually got used to it, and when Diana died it was the Queen and her family who felt the heat for not being "normal enough" and for not identifying with the grieving people who by that time were calling Diana the "People's Princess".

Although this country prides itself for NOT having a monarchy, some like Robin Givhan surely believe that the first family should act as if they are royalty ..........­..... The Obama family is certainly changing that image and that expectation, and like the rest of us they know when to dress UP and when to dress DOWN as the occasion dictates..­..........­... Robin should realize that even the modern monarchy have RELAXED ..........­........ None are as stuffy or pretentious as they were 50 years ago.

How different this article would have been if Michelle had "channelled" Nancy Reagan ..........­... Then the content would have a criticism of how elite and out of touch she was, and how she looked out of place hiking through the national parks in her Nancy Reagan-like outfit.

DAMNED IF SHE DOES, AND DAMNED IF SHE DOESN'T ..........­... THERE WILL ALWAYS BE SOME CRITICISM ..........­........ SO MICHELLE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT MAKES HER COMFORTABLE, AND CONTINUE TO

[Pema]

its a style page. its got fashion it has people saying this or that about fashion not her personally.