Skip to main content

Michel Obama and the Lanvin Sneakers




Similar to Nancy Regan, Michelle Obama faced criticism as well for her fashion choices while serving as First Lady. In 2009, while visiting a Food Bank Michelle Obama wore a business casual outfit paired with sneakers. These sneakers cause a frenzy in the media because they were “...$540 Lanvin sneakers…”, according to Vanity Fair. The public was already aware due to previous articles that Michelle Obama enjoyed wearing sneakers, but in the past she only wore Chuck Taylors or Converse in public. When reporters questioned her about her shoe choice that day she simply stated “They’re shoes.”. Her answer was blunt, but resonated with the public because she was unapologetic about her choice in footwear. Many on social media came to her defense that day, pointing out that everything she wears is going to be unfairly critiqued. Whether she wears affordable or expensive sneakers the media will always have something to say, and sometimes all you can really say at that point is “They're shoes.”.



Citation:

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2017/07/michelle-obama-lanvin-sneakers-controversy


Comments

  1. James BramleyNovember 29, 2023 at 6:47 AM

    Well some people see what someone wears as communicating something. I think the reason people got upset at her is because they feel like her wearing $540 sneaks is like her saying she is too good for cheaper pairs. They interpret it was a wealth or class thing, and to be fair she has talked a lot about her upbringing in rough Chicago neighborhoods. I personally don't agree, people wear things for a whole number of reason, Michel might have picked those because the sneakers were comfy or because they were a gift.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Amy Coney Barrett's Swearing In Outfit

  When Amy Coney Barrett was being sworn in I vividly remember watching different political talk shows give their opinions on her political views and her attire that day. The day of her swearing in she chose to wear what described by the Washington Post as “... a sleek magenta dress, a pearl necklace, and a black mask.”. This look was criticized heavily and picked apart by political journalists and people on Twitter. Some felt that her look was too casual while others felt that her appearance shouldn’t be discussed at all. In the same Washington Post article, a female attorney gave her opinion on Barrett’s outfit by stating “ No male judge would be dressed in less than correct courtroom attire. It’s inappropriately casual.”. However when another woman was asked about her opinion on Barrett’s attire she simply stated “Who cares what she wears?”. Various people weighed in on Twitter and there were many people on both sides of the spectrum. A Forbes news article written about the cont...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kate Middleton and the Red Nail Polish

Women in American politics aren’t the only ones facing scrutiny for their fashion choices, the women of the British royal family have their fashion heavily critiqued as well. Kate Middleton, in particular, has been styled to fit all of the royal rules and regulations that the royal family is expected to adhere to, but even that isn’t enough to keep her fashion choices out of the headlines. Recently many articles have come out that have called Middleton’s fashion “too conservative”. Different news outlets have called her too boring and too bland, but recently, possibly due to the backlash, she decided to take a bold step in a new direction. In April, for the first time ever Kate was photographed with her nails painted red. When reporting on the matter many headlines went something like “Kate Middleton breaks royal protocol”, like the Page Six headline. Some praised her for doing a more daring look than her usual nude, clear, or light pink nail polish. Many on Twitter shared their excite...
1 comment
Read more

Melanie Trump visiting the children's shelter Outfit

The other fashion choices I have addressed don’t have any graphics or words written on them, but this fashion choice does. In June 2018, when former First Lady Melania Trump wore what was described by CNN Politics as “... an army-green jacket with these words written on the back in white: “I really don’t care. Do U?.” she caused quite a stir in the media. This was her outfit of choice to visit children separated from their parents, some of whom were separated from their immigrant parents as part of Trump’s policy at the time. Immediately, when the pictures of her jacket were released the media tried to understand why she would wear something that conveys this message to go visit children in a shelter. Many people on Twitter reacted by releasing different illustrations with the message “We care, don't you?” and condemning Melanie for wearing this outfit for that occasion. One company, Wildfang, made a similar replica to the jacket but instead the back read “I Really Care. Don’t U?” ...
3 comments
Read more