In a last minute attempt to actually wear a costume, I spent my HallOUween dressed as the first lady of the United States. Michelle Obama is one of the most well-liked people in politics, and arguably one of the most well-dressed. While searching Google Images for costume ideas, I was reminded of how versatile and unconventional Obama’s style is. When it comes to fashion, our first lady has been the most iconic since Jackie Kennedy.
Compared to first ladies before her, Obama’s fashion choices are unique, even risque. Conservative necklines, gentle pastels and loose-fitting cuts seem to dominate the traditional FLOTUS wardrobe. Yet, some of Obama’s most famous ensembles include bold prints, sleeveless designs and hourglass silhouettes.
Perhaps due to her youthfulness or to a changing political climate, the first lady of an administration filled with “firsts” could even be called “First in Fashion,” as implied by the title of a New York Times article from 2012. Though author Cathy Horyn seemed to suggest in the piece that Obama’s fashion choices make her appear more ornamental, in 2016, the first lady has established her place as both a role model and a trend-setter.
Although she has certainly faced criticism for many of her fashion choices, the first lady has also driven many pieces she’s worn — rom a bedazzled cardigan, to a bright woolen midi-dress — to sell out in stores almost immediately after she’d been seen wearing them. One study even found that simply having Obama make a public appearance in a specific brand’s clothes could bring that company upwards of $14 million in revenue. David Yermack, who conducted the study, even concluded our latest FLOTUS has had the greatest effect on the fashion market of any first lady before her, and is perhaps one of the most influential fashion icons of our time.
As one of the most impactful icons in the fashion industry today, Obama has one foot in the fashion industry and one in her personal closet: one that I imagine would be filled with mom jeans, crew neck t-shirts and an assortment of cardigans. Her high-end taste, however, seems to be primarily driven by her recent rise to celebrity with her husband, and her desire to wear clothes on her own terms is evident in the way she mixes labels. The First Lady has worn clothes from a variety of price ranges, from high-end designs by Alexander McQueen to staple pieces from J. Crew and Target.
It is clear Mrs. Obama loves to look good. She even told ABC news back in 2008, “I’m kind of a tomboy-jock at heart, but I like to look nice.” But it is also evident that her commitment to fashion does not hinge upon her status as a public figure. Obama is one of the most genuine people in the political sphere, right down to the clothes on her back.
Kayla Beard is a senior studying journalism with a focus in web design at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnists do not reflect those of The Post. Do you like Michelle Obama’s style? Let Kayla know by tweeting her @QKayK.
