AMID predictions of the worst US recession since World War II, it was silly, but not surprising, that Michelle Obama’s dress hit headlines.
She wore a simple shift for her White House portrait, with – shock, horror – no sleeves and it caused a furore.
If that was her desired outcome, she’s one smart cookie. It certainly did the job. In the midst of dire financial gloom and doom, the distraction of a discussion about etiquette must have provided blessed relief for the Obama administration.
Was it really such a big deal that the First Lady exposed her arms for her first official portrait? Fashion experts would have us believe it was inappropriate, but the more I think about it, the more I think Mrs Obama knew exactly what she was doing.
Her husband was making his first address to the joint session of Congress and had the task of warning that the nation faced a “day of reckoning”.
It was also the eve of President Barack Obama’s first Budget – and his administration is trying to deal with a deficit of $1 trillion. And he is in the process of developing his health care reform.
President Obama must be counting his blessings that his wife has such great arms, which – rather than the financial crisis – became the top topic around water coolers this week.
Not since Jackie O has a president’s wife attracted such wide-eyed fascination and she is smart enough to use that to her husband’s advantage.
This month she was also on the cover of Vogue, again sleeveless, but revealing the dress cost less than $400.
By the end of this week Mrs Obama had covered her arms and was dressed appropriately for work as a volunteer serving hot meals to the homeless in Washington.
She wanted to encourage other Americans to volunteer to help the needy, saying we all need a helping hand at times.
Very quickly we are learning that the president married well and that Michelle Obama has just the right mix of style and steel to provide plenty of water cooler conversations to come.
