- Thu, Oct 6, 2011 2:58 PM EDT
Photo by: Getty Images
Tuesday: Washington D.C.-
At the start of the trip, Mrs. O boards the plane wearing an off-white Thakoon coat with a black Michael Kors dress and one of her signature oversized ... more
Getty ImagesThe first lady of the United States of America had an amazing, whirlwind week. She traveled through multiple European countries, met heads of state, attended official dinners and concerts, sat with the sick, gave inspiring speeches to children, embraced the Queen, AND she wore many, many different outfits. Lots and lots of people wrote about those outfits-some folks were extraordinarily angry about her sartorial choices. Others raved and wept and basically declared that Mrs. Obama was the best thing that's ever happened to fashion. So, what does it all mean? Why is it important?
The truth is, Michelle Obama, through her words, actions-and, yes, her clothes-is setting a new standard for what we think of as an American first lady. She's approachable, she's warm, she's highly educated, she's African American, and what she wears is unlike anything you'd expect from someone in such a prominent position. Mrs. Obama (much to the chagrin of luxury labels like Oscar de La Renta and others in the fancy, American-designer establishment) is using her profile to champion the fashion underdog. She wears clothes by little-known labels, often the work of first-generation Americans of Cuban, Thai, and Taiwanese descent. She loves J.Crew, a brand that many of us grew up wearing.
But perhaps what is most interesting about Michelle Obama's style is it seems honest, real, and relatable. It's fashion with a sense of humor. She wears comfortable shoes. She makes mistakes. She doesn't always know what to put with what. She's like us. She falls for a favorite belt and puts it on with everything, even when it sometimes doesn't match. Her clothes are stylish, yes, but somehow informal. Last week, when designer Oscar de la Renta slammed the outfit Michelle wore to meet the Queen, stating rather snottily, "You don't...go to Buckingham Palace in a sweater," one could almost hear our first lady saying, "Why not?"
And saying it with a smile.
Check out our slideshow for a roundup of all of the European outfits. Tell us what you think in the comments below.
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