By Golda Steinberg

October 30, 2008


Atlanta, Georgia – Two nights ago, Michelle Obama, wife of democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama, appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and looked lovely in yellow. When she stated that she was wearing a J. Crew ensemble that she had purchased on line, hits and sales to the apparel company’s online store shot up in dramatic fashion.

In a world obsessed with who is wearing what, Michelle Obama brings a healthy and much needed dose of American realism and practicality to the lives of those looking for style but at a reasonable cost. The entire ensemble that she wore for her interview with Leno is a moderate $305.99.

While Cindy McCain, wife of the republican presidential nominee John McCain spends a hefty amount of her fortune on designer clothes, Michelle Obama’s choices seem to be closer to that of ordinary middle class people. She has also even stated that she frequently buys for the family at Gap. This marks a stark contrast to the republican vice-presidential nominee, Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska, who has come under serious fire for the $150,000 wardrobe makeover that she and her family have received since coming under the national spotlight.

In September of this year, Michelle Obama’s fashion sense landed her on People magazine’s “Best Dressed List” and in July on Vanity Fair’s “International Best Dressed List” with such figures as the former supermodel and current First Lady of France, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Calling this a rarity would be something of an understatement. Those lists tend to favor celebrities who spend hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on their attire. How does Mrs. Obama respond to that? It’s all too simple. “ You can get some good stuff online," she said to Leno.