What The First Lady wears matters

So now President Obama has to manage a changed political situation on Capitol Hill with the USA mid-term elections. Political office must be totally challenging and weigh heavily at times but at least the President is supported by the attractive Mrs O. Michelle Obama has looked stunning during her public appearances over the last couple of years wearing an interesting mix of mid-market fashion from American companies as well as more haute couture items. Apparently her choice of clothes has increased the value of company share prices, an increase of $2.7 billion for the 29 companies involved, according to a Times fashion report (Luke Leitch, The Times 27 October 2010).

Michelle Obama is a sassy lady, a regular person and a real woman that many women can identify with rather than the waifs that lead the catwalk at most fashion events. The clothes Michelle wears are “wearable” - suitable, practical with a touch of glamour that many middle-income American women can identify with and afford. US online blogs such as http://mrs-o.org feature, from press photos, the items that Michelle is wearing each day and from that website you’re just a click away to an online store where you can purchase the same outfit. Could we see this phenomenon happening in the UK, I wonder? Will Samantha Cameron become our style icon when she starts to make public appearances again? The refreshing aspect of Mrs O’s impact is that she is not a celebrity paid to advertise or endorse products, but a busy lady who needs to look appropriately dressed for each occasion.