Black manila alligator clutch - $6000??

There was an article today on Michelle Obama’s purse.  That’s right, and entire article on one purse… and here I am blogging about said purse and perpetuating the saga.  Now, I have no doubt that the First Lady has many purses…  many purses… CousinMegan could only dream of so many I’m sure.

The thing is that Michelle Obama has presented herself (and her daughters) as frugal yet chic fashionistas.  The term “savvy shopper” is used often.  Remember the affordable green outfit accessorized with gloves and shoes from J. Crew that she wore during President Obama’s inauguration?  Speaking of our president… her husband has stated a commitment to “spread the wealth” and the need for sacrifice… but don’t get me started on him or I’ll go off on government bailouts for three days.

I digress.

I dont’ know how to quite put my finger on it, but she seems to be struggling with her fashion style.  Like any woman, I am sure that she wants the gorgeous courture available to her now as First Lady.  Like the First Ladies before her, designers are lining up hoping to dress her in their designs.  I have no problem with this.

High-end French fashion label Lanvin sneakers

The thing is… I keep seeing articles about her affordable clothes mixed in with pricey pieces.  She wore $540 sneakers by French designer house Lanvin to a food bank, then a month later wore a $10 t-shirt with a $25 cardigan from the Gap when she had lunch with former First Lady Nancy Reagan.  Odd… and I’m surprised at the immediate negative reaction White House reps are giving to inquiries about her fashion.  The shout out and vigorously proclaim when she is wearing something affordable, but either deny or dismiss questions regarding the more expensive items.

I think it is her business; she studied hard and then worked hard and now she can afford expensive things.  However, if she did buy the purse then I also think that many Americans would feel that it is in bad taste to carry such a expensive handbag in these times with the way the economy is… regardless if it is $875 or closer to $6000… and in my opinion, such a handbag is more of an evening accessory (not for a midday walk through a wooded area).

Doesn’t she have any stylists or advisors?  They had to know this was coming.  The press had a feeding frenzy over Sarah Palin’s wardrobe… it was only a matter of time before the media turned the attention to her (especially since Palin is taking herself out of the game).

On matters of style, swim with the current,
on matters of principle, stand like a rock.
~ Thomas Jefferson (1762-1826)