For Political Wives, It's All in the Dress

(NEWSER) - It was bound to happen one day: a misstep by Michelle Obama. She fell for a pair of $540 designer sneakers and trotted them out last week at a food bank, no less. Bad move, says the Guardian. Mrs. I'm-all-about-J. Crew should have ditched the colorful suede Lanvin sneaks and opted for Converse, writes Emma Sibbles. "All the celebrities know they're the hipsters' shortcut to looking cool," she points out. And most importantly for the image-conscious Obamas, they're inexpensive. More»

The big names want to get their threads on the First Fashion Plate

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama's sartorial picks have now been hailed the world over, but America's elite designers are grumbling about being snubbed, reports the Telegraph. The first lady has debuted the work of several young designers, both American and foreign, on her European trip—a choice that hasn't sat well with the Vera Wangs and Donna Karans back home. More»

First Lady's first formal photo highlights famous arms

(NEWSER) - The White House released the first official portrait of Michelle Obama today, People reports, and it calls attention to her most famous accessory. No, not the Kennedy-esque double strand of pearls—her rock-solid arms. In the photo, snapped in the Blue Room, the first lady also sports a sleek black sheath designed by Michael Kors, according to the New York Post. More»

Once again, first lady opts for a summery look in winter

(NEWSER) - Washington is freezing cold, but last night Michelle Obama strode into Congress wearing a sleeveless dress, her bare arms on display. It's hardly the first time recently she's gone sleeveless, notes Jodi Kantor of the New York Times: from a photo op in the White House kitchen to the cover of Vogue, the first lady has made her guns a key accessory. More»

Fashionistas applaud Michelle Obama's choice of inaugural outfits

(NEWSER) - Michelle Obama's striking fashion choices make her the most glamorous first lady America has seen in a while, Cathy Horyn writes in the New York Times. Her vivid, Isabel Toledo-designed inaugural outfit stood out against the sea of red and black coats on the Capitol steps, Horyn writes, outshone only by Aretha Franklin's spectacular crystal-studded hat. More»