Since Michelle Obama stepped into the public eye, there has been much adieu about her sense of fashion and sometimes harsh critiques on her outfit selections. Many  have proclaimed her a fashion icon. However, there are others who see her as a fashion train-wreck. I haven’t formed an opinion in either direction. Yet, I can tell you that she has nailed it with some outfits and probably should be nailed by the fashion police for others. I can imagine some will immediately react to this article and say, “with all the problems of the world, why are we so focused on her clothing.”Well, that’s simple. It’s entertaining and every now and then we need a diversion. Michelle being the first woman of color and one of the tallest first lady’s has caught our eye and we are going to be watching until the newness wears away.

        Michelle is approximately five foot eleven and three quarters. She also has the extra added issue of being a size 14. With this type of body, there are many things to consider when shopping for clothes that will accentuate your positives and negatives. Usually things such as sleeve choices, pant and skirt lengths make the height endowed, teeter on the line between elegant and goofy. Let’s go through a few of Michelle’s recent hits and misses;

Exhibit A: The sexy black number

This was a very nice choice for Michelle, although I question the accessories. It’s an elegant powerful look and you can tell that she loves it too by her posture. The free flowing fit and relaxed texture of the garment draws your attention immediately to the length of her legs and conceals the width of her hips. As a tall person, I will say that three quarter length sleeves are never OK because they tend to make the forearms elongate and the hands look big. However, due to the positive aspects of the dress, she could have used some high fashion  type bangles in black or mixed shades as a distraction. She probably would have been better off, ditching the white necklace for a black mother of pearl choker.

Exhibit B: The white funky chicken outfit

     This outfit is hideous. There are some people who can wear white and lace but for Michelle, it looks as if she waltzed into the oval office, grabbed the curtains and created a dress by hand. The texture, color and design wash her out and make her look older.  The ultra-feminine design makes her look makes her well developed arms look masculine. This type of outfit would be more suitable for someone way shorter and much more waif-like.

Exhibit C: The Jazzy beige suit

     Michelle is wearing the heck out of this number. The color is perfect and serves to enhance the contrast between her pecan complexion and raven black hair. The lines, sleeve length and hem length of the skirt are perfect and once again, you can see that she loves it by the confidence of her posture.

Exhibit D: The dress your mom forced you to wear in sixth grade for picture day

     *sigh* Where do I begin? Well, I guess once again, I have to reiterate the caution about wearing three quarter length sleeves but then I have to move on to more pertinent matters.  This entire outfit reminds me of those outfits that well meaning parents would make children wear to picture day. The sweater is too tight and the skirt looks like an apron. She needs to stick with tapered skirts and stay away from excess fabric and width. Barbara Bush would even turn up her nose to this outfit. Michelle, Next time someone brings something as such to the dressing room, JUST SAY NO!

Finally: Casual Friday

     What is the first thing that popped into my mind, when I saw this picture? Oh, that’s simple. I said, “COOCHIE- CUTTER- HIGH-WATERS BLUE- BOOTS AND A SWEATER!” I understand that her husband has been called, “the peoples president” but who walks out of the house like this? Everyone was not made to wear tapered leg slacks. It accentuates her “posterior regalo” and are also too short and too tight. Those tapered leg pant also make her feet look huge in those awful blue boots. Yes, she was out on an alleged “icky, rainy, day”for Youthbuild but that’s no excuse. A pair jeans, sneakers and a baseball cap would have been a better choice than what she is wearing in this photo.

     Like all people, Michelle has her good days and her bad days. Yet, she should never forget that the world is watching her and continue to watch her in the years to come. Most of her selections have been spot on, but it’s the simple mistakes that seem to stand out the most. She is a tall woman who makes the mistake of wearing clothes better suited for a shorter person. Sleeve length, texture, and colors seem to be her weaknesses but hopefully, a new stylist will enter her life and she can take her place, as one of the most fashionable first ladies.