Michelle Obama Wears Lanvin Sneakers
Filed under: CELEBRITY STYLE, Fashion, Celebrity, News, Best of the Season
The First Lady spent April 29th volunteering: She donated time filling bags with non-perishable food to be distributed at the Capitol Area Food Bank for Feeding America. An extremely worthy and commendable activity, and yet the photo has spurred a mini controversy. Why you may ask? Her fashion choices, naturally. At first glance, there is nothing exceptional about her casual capri-and-sneaker combo, but upon closer inspection, it's obvious that these are no average kicks. Mrs. O rocked a pair of $540 Lanvin sneakers to the food bank.
Michelle Obama has previously been praised for her ability to mix high and low fashion, but are there limits to her mixology? Sure, the trendy low tops add a dash of flash to an otherwise dull ensemble, but one could also argue that the pricey footwear was inappropriate for the occasion. Vote in the poll below to let us know what you think about the First Lady's lasted fashion statement
Style Evolution: Michelle Obama
This one-shoulder gown by Jason Wu was seen around the world. Proving her fashionable prowess, the newly-appointed First Lady boldly chose a dress by the relatively unknown designer. Knowing what works for her body, she eschewed anything too dowdy or cleavage-baring and instead focused on her favorite asset - toned arms.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Many a critic found Obama's Junya Watanabe cardigan rather unsettling. The controversial piece, worn over a teal full-skirted Jason Wu dress, should get points for blending brown and blue if nothing else. At least her clothes fit better than poor Sarah Brown's, wife of the British Prime Minister.
Joel Ryan, WPA Pool/Getty Images
While we're the first to embrace Mrs. O's style, we must admit that these clothes look like they spent too much time in the dryer. In comparison to the buttoned up Dr. Jill Biden, Obama's ensemble is more play school than preppy. Clearly, the argyle detail on a sweater is a recurring favorite.
Mandel Ngan, AFP / Getty Images
While walking through a the White House rose garden on April 28th, Obama showed her love for a new designer, Sophie Theallet, in a full-skirted 1950s-inspired day dress. WWD reported that the First Lady was introduced to Theallet's clothing vis-a-vis her personal style consultant Ikram Goldman, and not Azzedine Alaia, for whom she used to work.
Mark Wilson, Getty Images
Another day, another argyle cardigan by Junya Wantanabe. We don't think that kids would mind as much as we do this particular ensemble. Love the colors but, in the words of Tim Gunn, "make it work!" The belt has an awkward placement and the shirt bunches in all the wrong places.
Tim Sloan, AFP / Getty Images
For her visit with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, Michelle Obama wore a black-and-white Isabel Toledo dress, an Azzedine Alaia cardigan, and pearls. Some thought the cardigan was not formal enough.
John Stillwell, WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Obama's first Easter egg roll on the White House lawn drew a record crowd. For the casual affair, mama Obama looked ready for spring in cropped light blue pants and a kelly green top with a sensible navy jacket.
Ron Edmonds, AP
Stepping out for church services with the President on Easter Sunday, Mrs. Obama wore a pretty floral frock from Peter Soronen accentuated with her go-to accessory, a double strand of pearls.
Aude Guerrucci, AFP/Getty Images
The First Lady debuted her spring wardrobe at the G20 Summit in London, pairing classic styles with light, airy brights. In Germany, Mrs. Obama wore a custom Thakoon floral silk jacquard dress with black kitten heels.
Christof Stache, AP
The First Lady poses on the red carpet at the NATO Summit in a black Azzedine Alaia dress full skirt dress.
Getty Images
watsonwx 4-30-2009 @ 2:04PM
Good thing she's not Shara Pahlin. Oh Boy!
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clay 4-30-2009 @ 3:24PM
her actions are very consistent with fascists! they want two classes of people in our country - aristocracy and working - and that line can NEVER be crossed. hollywood, academia, politbureau, and the super rich who supported them in the top class and the rest of us in another. and rules - laws and social expectations - NEVER apply to aristocracy - only the rest of us. you wanted hope and change - well you got it! hope you enjoy your newfound serfdom!
Miriam 4-30-2009 @ 4:45PM
She has an education and has worked hard....she can buy whatever shoes she wants! The media should shut up...I doubt that anyone in those food lines would know they are designer shoes (I didn't-PAYLESS makes cute tennis shoes too!).
Alisha 4-30-2009 @ 7:43PM
Shara Paulin??? LMAO Did you mean Sarah Palin? She's over and irrelevent and besides Sarah wears dead animals she kills with her bare hands. Unless it's the RNC paying for it, then its onto Saks and Neimans.
Lisa 5-02-2009 @ 8:56AM
She should put her money where her mouth is! Donate that money to charity!
vdog 5-02-2009 @ 10:12AM
The difference is the RNC didn't BUY THEM!!! I bet you that!!! MRS. OBAMA could AFFORD this type of stuff because she was EDUCATED and PROFESSIONAL LOOONG BEFORE THE WHITEHOUSE!!!! SARAH'S STUFF WAS PURCHASED WITH OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY YA HILLBILLY!!!
Robin 5-03-2009 @ 1:51AM
Miriam, While she may have an education she does NOT HAVE any common sense, empathy, or even decent manners. To wear shoes that cost $540.00 or more to a food bank where God only knows how many people were standing in line (their dignity) in their out stretched hands is beyond thoughtless, or rude...it was just plain mean and stupid beyond words! Then again that's the Obama's for you; they haven't got a single clue what it's like to be in "our" shoes; no pun intended. You're right PayLess does have some cute shoes, and that's where the First Lady (not that she qualifies as a lady) should get her tennis shoes; especially if she's wearing them to a food bank; where people are hoping to get a small sack of groceries and wondering where they will get more when those run out in a day or two. Too bad you cannot buy class; she's in desperate need of some.
jaime 5-03-2009 @ 9:01PM
They were probably given to her just like they do celebrities because now everyone will have to have a pair.
Donny 5-03-2009 @ 9:54PM
They look good to me. Quit hating and buy your girl one of my great products. She will love you for mothers day!
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Neener 5-03-2009 @ 11:35PM
Evita Peron had fashion sense too. Let's hear it for the rainbow tour lol
Rochelle 5-04-2009 @ 12:12AM
I am sick of all the hoopla about this First Lady who has not a clue about dressing. Don't know who her advisors are, on appropriate wardrobe, but they certainly are missing the mark. She is one of the worst dressed, in my opinion and has a body that is not easy to fit and most clothes don't look well on her. And what is with those too tight cardigans?
Forget her moderate priced dressing. Sounded good, but noone should have bought into that. All good fodder for the press.
Nicole 5-04-2009 @ 1:22AM
'She should donate that money to charity'--for all you know, she did. Wearing expensive shoes doesn't automatically mean that you are selfish. What is she supposed to do, spend all of her money on donations and never buy herself something expensive? If you had money, you'd give it all away without splurging on anything for yourself? Quite noble. She's at a food bank, for a good cause--looks like she's balancing herself out pretty well to me. It's the feet in the $540 shoes that don't find themselves at food banks that concern me more--and I'm sure there are plenty of them. Michele Obama should be praised for what she is doing, not criticized for what she is wearing. What a better place the world would be if we respected the good in people instead of emphasizing what we perceive to be 'bad'.
Carl 5-04-2009 @ 2:59AM
Your soooo right. I'm sure she didn't give it a thought to wear those ridiculously overpriced SNEAKERS for G-d's sake. I have the money to spend on those same sneakers but wouldn't be shallow enough to buy them no matter how much money I have. There's something called "good taste" Miss Hateful Obama.
In addition, I guess she HATED America until she became 1st lady, was able to have her mommy live at the White House at the Taxpayer's expense and have her kids go to the DC private school instead of the local school the Obama's soooo pretended to be interested in.
Money and pretiege doesn't make a person classy!!!
barbyk 5-04-2009 @ 11:09AM
my guess is this was stimulus money to help the high fashion industry sell shoes we all cant afford....just trillions under, guys but no one cares
Juantoo 4-30-2009 @ 5:03PM
Her husband is spending tax payer dollars like they grow on trees why should she be any different in her spending habits. Afterall the Government just aquired GM (General Motors) of course now it stands for Government Motors. Socialism anyone. How does that taste? Nationalized Car makers and banks and next thing we will be forced to hang an Obama picture in our homes and bow to it. I can say it now I hate Barack Obama. He is terrible for our country. Half Black Half white matters not he is an idiot.
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Carol 4-30-2009 @ 3:09PM
How ridiculous! It's no one's business what the First Lady wears. Give it a freaking rest already!
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Rocko 4-30-2009 @ 2:26PM
Spoken like a true homie. God help us all if a GOP had them on, but the number two neck wager, now dats o-tay!
Jeff 4-30-2009 @ 2:40PM
To all the Libs saying it's nobody's business what Michelle Obama wears, I'm sure that if it was Sarah Palin or Laura Bush instead, you'd all be outraged about it.
You Libs are so predictable.
sue 4-30-2009 @ 3:19PM
would you say the same if it were Sarah Palin
bev 4-30-2009 @ 2:12PM
Even though the Obamas are multi-millionaires, they should tone down their expense outlay in keeping with the cutbacks the rest of us feel in these hard times. Michelle Obama does not pay for her desinger clothes, as acknowleged by the White House. She only pays for her clothes from mass retailers cush as J Crew or Talbots. This too is a mistake in judgment. The Obamas have the money to finance Michelle Obamas wardrobe and, as good role models, they should do so. In any case, wearing $500 sneakers is an outrageous statement for role models such as the First Lady to make. That money is enough to feed a family of four for a month.
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