Michelle’s Dress
Michelle Obama Easter 2013
Earth shattering, mind blowing news alert:
Michelle Obama wore the same dress more than once!
Yes, I actually did just read an article celebrating our first lady’s outfit recycling. A few weeks ago, Miss Snarky Pants posted “An Open Letter to Michelle Obama,” which humorously decries American media for trivializing all things politically significant in favor of full-blown coverage of our FLOTUS’ bangs. And I’m appalled to report that it’s happened again.
Why in the world is Mrs. Obama’s Easter dress making news?
As a wife who married for love and a mother of almost three, I can tell you with absolute certainty that I’ve worn the dress I had on for Easter a hell of a lot more than three times. And because I don’t go to church with the same people I work with, I might just wear it again before the week is out. And even if you just so happen to notice that I’ve had it on twice in the same week, as long as I don’t smell like I haven’t bathed between wears, what difference does it make?
I can’t begin to express how disgusted I am with these articles. As a mother of daughters, the last thing I want them concerning themselves with is how often they are recognized in certain clothes. What’s even more upsetting to me is how all the intellect and concern for others Michelle Obama has is trumped routinely by non-issues.
So let’s just get it all out at once. Let’s say all the craziness that apparently “needs” to be said so that we can focus on real issues:
- Michelle Obama Admits Putting on Pants One Leg at a Time
- FLOTUS Brushes Her Teeth before Bed
- Mrs. Obama Sometimes Eats with Elbows on the Table
- First Lady Confesses to Having to Pee when She Wakes Up
Can we move on now?
Memos from the Middle 
At least we know that she’s not the only political wife who is forced to deal with the scrutiny paid to her apparel. Kate Middleton regularly recycles her clothes and shoes – a point which the British press never fails to mention and attribute to her down-to-earth nature. When did wearing a dress more than once make one more “relatable?” Or a pair of shoes, for that matter? They’re clothes, people. I’m much more interested in FLOTUS’ resume. Michelle Obama is one of the most educated, intelligent, gracious, classy, accomplished and kind First Lady the United States has ever had. Had she the aspirations to become president, I have no doubt she could achieve that goal.
Oh, I’ve also heard that beans give her gas…just like the rest of us.
Great post! Thank you for getting my satire (a few people missed it) and for sharing it.
Thanks for the comment! I found your post so funny. I passed it on to a few English teachers I know to help them teach satire, a genre kids get conceptually but not necessarily when they read it.
Here’s a question: Would we ever do what we’re doing with these political wives with their husbands if the proverbial shoes were on different feet? Probably not, right? To me, this is just another example of an incredibly sexist double standard that continuously relegates women to such superficial places in consciousness.
Well, maybe one day our media will get how stupid this all really is!
Have a great weekend!
Marilyn
Of course, we wouldn’t. The only time anyone has ever even mentioned President Obama’s attire is when he wore those “mom” jeans of his. Still, no one really cares because he’s the leader of the free world and he’s not expected to be a fashionista; he’s supposed to be brilliant and tough and diplomatic. The standards for women always seem to include how they look – from their hair to their shoes to their weight to their clothes. It’s absurd. I’ve never heard anyone criticize Todd Palin, Marcus Bachmann or Bill Clinton for their hair styles or attire.
Thanks for passing my blog along; I’m sincerely flattered. 🙂