Well, Well … Michelle Obama Changes Style

The First Lady was the talk of the town after coming dressed in black and white at both the inauguration for the Building a Healthier Future Summit and the presentation of the White House Christmas decorations. She was wearing a black dress with a white collar all day, inciting Hufpo to describe her as a “pilgrim-y” nun or minister. Is this a radical change or circumstantial? At any rate, it’s very strategic. In the middle of a crisis, she shows up as a chic, conservative lady (almost Jacky K.). She sees the pointless view of costly decorations in the White House and shares the serious content of her campaign against obesity. Bonus: a little wink at Bo, the ubiquitous black and white dog in the photo. Sneaky?

No stylist necessary for this very little black, knee-length “Madame Fig” dress with opaque black tights and dark pumps. Just one uplifting note: the white necklace with the little diamond broach (are they real or fake?). And don’t forget the long sleeves, truly revolutionary for the First Lady, who generally shows her bare arms in every season.

Why is this austerity flaunted?

The Christmas crisis and election year easily justify this new style, with its conservative image under construction.

In the morning, Michelle was inaugurating a summit dedicated to nutrition and the problem of teenage and childhood obesity. It’s in Washington that Michelle Obama’s duty truly is to face a lot of resistance in her campaign. The Internet, lack of activity, and the weak: These are the enemies. In the afternoon, the White House was in party attire. She kept her black dress on while receiving the families of troops currently on the battlefront, among others. The theme of the decorations this year: Reflect, rejoice, renew. Anything goes, including bright stars, paper garlands, and recycled [ornaments]. The visitors this December (the White House opens its East Wing and receives Americans for this occasion) will notice that Bo, the Obamas’ dog, is a true theme this year as well. It’s for the election year as well: 78 million Americans have a dog and many of them are voters.

The HufPo paper ends with a survey of readers on their appreciation of the conservative style of Michelle or their regret of her originality. The 2012 campaign team will look at the results closely.