Fashion Icon and Busy Mom Michelle Obama joined a group of other political wives to pose for photos at a local food bank yesterday. Displaying once again her playful (translation: like a kindergartner who dressed herself) fashion sense, she went casual and wore her customary too-small sweater, hip-enhancing flood pants and a pair of sneakers that cost $540.00. To work at a food bank.
" ... on her feet, a sneaky splurge: trainers that go for $540. That's
right: These sneakers - suede, with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic
pink toe caps - are made by French design house Lanvin, one of
fashion's hottest labels."
Are we still doing the Jackie O comparisons? Is that still a thing? Picture Jackie O in those.
The overlooked and underrated Jill Biden was there, too. There must be some kind of deal going on there where Dr. Jill is not allowed to outshine MO. Vivian Vance was contractually obliged to maintain her weight at a minimum of 20 pounds over Lucille Ball's to make Lucy look that much better. I have a feeling that a similar agreement must be going on here - Jill is obliged to hide her classic, tasteful and flattering fashion sense whenever MO is around. This time, though, it leaked out.
At first I felt a little sad that Jill's silver ballet flats made her delicate feet look a bit canoe-ish ... until I saw this shot of them standing near each other.
Man feet! If you didn't already know that was MO standing there, wouldn't you think that might be her brother?
Nope! His feet seem to be smaller than hers. Same big mouth, though.
UPDATE: The internet is abuzz with fascination over MO's shoes - and rightly so. Let's start a compendium:
WIZBANG "Remember when Michelle Obama poo poo'd the Bush stimulus of $600 as
nothing asking what could you buy with that, a pair of earrings?" link
BASEBALL CRANK - "Somehow, no matter what the state of the U.S. economy, the Michelle Obamas in and around the government will always manage to get their fancy French sneakers. I don't begrudge them that - but I do wish they acted as if they felt the same way about the rest of us." link
JAMMIEWEARINGFOOL - Wasn't her husband just saying something about buying American? link
BRUTALLY HONEST -"They're shoes," the First Lady's reps sniffed when curious reporters inquired about the fancy footwear." Yea... just shoes... worn by everyday people every.... er... day... while helping the poor. link
UPDATE 2: In case you forgot what's inside those sneakers: from Putting The Sass In Sasquatch
I saw that pic earlier and knew you would not disappoint! Just perfect. LOL!!
:o)
Posted by: Joan of Argghh! | May 01, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Apparently neither of them can afford pants that are long enough, having blown it all on footwear.
That was my first thought.
Posted by: LeeAnn | May 01, 2009 at 11:47 AM
Michelle appears to be one of those women who think that tighter clothes make her look smaller, when in fact they make her look huge. UGH.
Those shoes are horrendous!
As for Jill Biden, even dressed down she looks almost elegant compared to Michelle.
I nearly always hate "capri" pants. Very few people can pull them off well (my daughter can and some of her friends) mostly they make women look either like they skimped on buying long pants or they have sausage legs. In this case both women have capris that are too long and Michelle certainly doesn't have the legs to carry them off. (I don't have the legs for them either - but then I don't wear them!!!)
double UGH!
Posted by: Teresa | May 01, 2009 at 12:08 PM
Perhaps that food bank is actually in a flood zone? If that's the case, kudos to Jill and Mean-chelle for choosing appropriately short pants. (And, those tacky shoes could use a good flood...)
As for the Jackie O thing, I'm printing out these photos and the next time someone says how elegant and classy she is, instead of arguing, I'll just whip out "Exhibit A."
Posted by: jana | May 01, 2009 at 12:40 PM
The woman's an Amazon! Wait - is that a pun?
Those shoes on her massive dogs look dangerously strange.
Posted by: pam | May 01, 2009 at 12:55 PM
Bowlegged much?
Holy jumping crotch shots. I mean. Really.
Posted by: Kim | May 01, 2009 at 04:34 PM
So now we're to the point where MO has bail out a FOOD BANK? Did she fire their CEO?
Posted by: schmed | May 01, 2009 at 05:33 PM
Good God the woman does have a pair o' boats on her.
At least they didn't photograph her from the rear-butt angle. I notice they're very careful not to ever show that angle.
Posted by: dogette | May 01, 2009 at 07:11 PM
I'm speechless. Doesn't happen very often.
Posted by: Jenny | May 01, 2009 at 07:30 PM
Clown shoes. Bozobama.
Posted by: Jim - PRS | May 01, 2009 at 09:13 PM
and she needs 540 dollar sneakers because??????????
Posted by: tina | May 03, 2009 at 08:35 PM
We all need $540 sneakers, we just don't all get them.
Still, if I was wearing $540 sneakers, you can rest assured that they'd actually look *good*.
Posted by: Tami | May 04, 2009 at 02:28 PM