Tashaan: First Lady Michelle Obama: Fashion Do or Fashion Don't?

Earlier this month, First Lady Michelle Obama was criticized by Oscar de la Renta for her choice in clothing when she met with the Queen, stating that “You don’t…go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater.” In fact, President Obama was slammed for his choice of gift for the Queen – an iPod loaded with pictures of her 2007 visit to the US. And, Michelle was criticized for hugging and placing her hand on her back...seriously people? Since when did hugging, sharing a warm touch or showing friendly concern become a criticism, annoyance or area of concern?

Style – be it the First Lady, kindergarten teacher, stay-at-home mom/dad (yes, I admire stay-at-home dads as well) or the mailman - is about reflecting who you are as a person. I believe it’s about wearing that one special outfit and shoes that makes you feel beautiful, approachable, confident, warm, personable and real the minute it touches your skin. And, for this you don’t need designer/exclusive clothes. And, having style does not mean that you have to stop being who you are and what you do - change diapers, run board meetings, get the oil changed or have a martini.

What I greatly appreciate about the First Lady’s style and fashion choices is that they are “real.” She chooses outfits and reflects Tashaan that the average American working woman can afford and wear on a daily basis as she runs around Houston picking up the dry cleaning, getting gas, dropping the kids to school, buying groceries, making dinner and putting the kids to bed. She attempts to show that despite being married to one of the most powerful and popular men of the present time, she is still real, honest and approachable. I also believe her sense of style is glamorous and classic.

The Tashaan of the current White House is laid back, playful, yet business and respectful. Her choices in clothes and accessories and his choices in gifts truely do reflect what they represent - a hope for change and progress.

Michelle Obama has been sported wearing the designs of fashion underdogs, J. Crew and White House Black Market. Designers and representatives have stated that celebrity interest increases when the First Lady is seen in their piece. Company representatives have repeatedly stated that any item of clothing worn by the First Lady becomes a best selling item, further substantiating the First Lady’s ability to identify with the fashion needs for the average Seema in the United States.

The First Lady’s tashaan reflects that she is NOT stuck up, stuffy, high maintenance, high class, or snotty. Isn’t that what we want in our First Lady? Since when did being unapproachable and cold become traits admired in women, let alone women in power. And, wasn’t Sarah Palin criticized for her $180,000 wardrobe purchase during the campaign weeks. At the time, it was brought forward that her fashion budget for one month was equivalent to the salary of a plumber ($37, 514). As an avid shopper of White House Black Market, I personally guarantee that you will not spend your entire paycheque for one outfit…maybe a quarter of it.

I’ve said this before, I’ll say it again and I’ll stick by it: our clothes and style, not just that of the First Lady, reflect who we are and how others perceive us – it only takes 5 seconds for a person to develop an opinion of us. So we should wear that which makes us feel confident in who we are, wear that which represents who we are and wear that which allows us to do what we need to accomplish in any given day.

Just like Jackie Kennedy, Jennifer Aniston, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu and Priety Zinta, Michelle Obama is reinventing fashion. She is attempting to change the perception that many have of Americans as the “ugly American” while appearing relatable to American women.

Below are some of my favorite Michelle Obama outfits.