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Michelle Obama: The right to bare arms

Posted: Wednesday, February 25, 2009 1:55 PM by Sarika Dani
Filed Under:

From Bobbie Thomas, TODAY style editor

Image: Michelle Obama sporting sleeveless dresses.It's not yet spring and yes, Michelle Obama has gone sleeveless (again), this time in the House chamber during President Obama's first address to Congress. Shock and awe!
 
We all remember the buzz about her Narciso Rodriguez dress on election night ... well, the cardigan has come off. Her husband's whole campaign was about change, and with a new president comes, of course, a new first lady.

Whether or not you agree with her right to bare arms, can you say she looked inappropriate? Uncomfortable? Vulgar? She didn't need any flashy baubles or shocking color to stand out; her rich deep purple looked regal. Michelle looked fresh and age appropriate. She came across chic, sleek, modern, poised, confident and vibrant. After all, if we've been able to get past wearing white after Labor Day, maybe it's time to embrace exposed arms (even in Washington)?
 
While dress codes may be a factor at times, most women opt to cover up out of self-consciousness. The fact that Michelle is confident and comfortable showing off a part of the body that many women loathe to expose (especially after our twenties), may in fact be inspiring. In modern times when we are dealing with headlines about obesity epidemics to anorexic models on the runway --  a first lady who is fit, healthy, active and takes pride in working out should be a role model.
 
Considering we elected President Obama -- who has no problem calling attention to how great his wife looks, and who clearly has confidence in her decisions -- shouldn't we?  

Tell us what you think by posting your comments.

 
 

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Comments

I think she looks nice, it shouldn't be any reason she couldn't wear no sleeves.  People go to much into dress codes.  I could not care what she wears because she always dresses with taste.

sandy fletcher, baltimore, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:21 PM)

I think she looks beautiful in whatever she wears.  I don't find it at all inappropriate.  And I'm a little sad that the matter of her bare arms is something to judge.  

Lynna Henderson, Holliston, MA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:27 PM)

She's a style icon for our time. Poised, confident, seemingly approachable, incredibly well-spoken, and aware of her impact.

The change in fashion (and politics) in DC is much needed and refreshing.

Rachel, Alexandria, VA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:29 PM)

Michelle Obama looked great in the purple, sleeveless dress last night!  I thought it was not only beautiful, but appropriate.  Why should the First Lady need to be self conscience about showing her arms when such a thing is widely accepted in any other formal setting. She certainly had Nancy Pelosi beaten by a long shot.

Lana Sain, Manchester, TN (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:31 PM)

Anyone with arms like that should be showing them off. She is always tasteful, confident, and appropriate.  She may not be a trendsetter but at least she didn't attend in what appeared to be a snuggie like other members of the party. (ehem, Nancy)

Tamara G (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:35 PM)

I typically cover my arms because it's cold in the winter.  Seasons have to dictate the practical matter of going sleeveless.  If a limo totes you around, and scraping windshields and sloshing through puddles aren't an issue, I'd expose my arms too.

Janie Peterson, Minneapolis, MN (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:36 PM)

I think Michelle is fresh and lovely. I like the way she dresses and the way their girls are dressed also.  

She is real!!!!  Love it!!!!

Lola Allen (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:38 PM)

Is it truly news worthy to talk about bare arms?  I understand you are a style editor, yet no where in this piece did you talk about how trim President Obama looked in his suit, or comment on Joe Biden's attire?  Let's move past simply focusing on body parts of our First Lady and focus on the whole person, and if you must focus on one, check out her brain - it is phenomenal!

Sara, Madison, WI (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 2:47 PM)

The first lady looked good last night and the color was great. However, going sleeveless in the House Chamber at an event that was clearly Business attire was tremendously inappropriate - as a few of her choices has been. It's not about changing "white after labor day" rules or about being confident with her body. It's about respect for the event, which was a speech to the nation and NOT a cocktail party. She can still look vibrant and modern and be respectful at the same time. I hope she learns how to do this quickly...

Cate, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:32 PM)

Thank you, Sara from Madison, WI.  Ditto!

Carole, St. Augustine, Florida (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:32 PM)

I think the First Lady is awesome!!!  She is a breath of fresh air... she is beautiful and looks wonderful!  

Erin (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:33 PM)

She looked Sweet!

Selia Carter Spring, Texas (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:33 PM)

I feel that her style and confidence in her NORMAL size is incredibly refreshing. We as normal citizens need to agree that yes the life of the first lady is easy in some ways but horribly difficult in other ways, ways we could not handle. I applaud her approach to the role of first lady.

Shana Reeder, Des Moines, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:34 PM)

The fact that she is such a GREAT ROLE MODEL to women is the issue, not the fact that she wore a dress showing her GREAT ARMS. We should all embrace the fact that she is bright, confident and gives us all another reason to go to the gym! To have arms that look that good!

jill bervy, albany New York (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:34 PM)

I can't even believe this is front page news. The woman is stunning, appropriate, unpretentious and "real." She looked beautiful! Bare arms, vulgar? Not arms that look like hers. Kudos to our new First Lady.

Colleen, Syracuse, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:34 PM)

I believe if you are living in the corporate world, you should be dressed in corporate attire.

anonymous, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:34 PM)

yawn

C Greensboro, NC (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:57 PM)

Honestly, I don't agree with her sleeveless dresses. She is the "first lady" and she should not dress like she is going to a party. Every other lady in there had a nice suit on. It's getting a little ridiculous. Honestly, I don't think she is an "example" of confidence. If it was the summer, maybe it would be okay but it isn't and she needs to be consulted

Effie Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:57 PM)

I think she looks great.  I'm going to dusti off my 5 pound weights!

Denise, Seven Valleys PA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:57 PM)

Well, I believe it depends on the age of the first lady.  Our first lady is young and in shape, so why shouldn't she expose her pecks.  Finally, a yound and hip family.  We can all exhale!

Hazel W, Houston, Texas (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:58 PM)

Sara, you go girl!

Cindy A., Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 3:59 PM)

I've defended her fashion choice on several occassions, she looked beautiful as usual, however, I would have preferred to see her in long sleeves. She has defined who she is and no one can question her intellect, she's a braniac. In my opinion a change from the bare arms would've been  nice and more appropriate for the chambers.

steffie t, Miami Fl (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:00 PM)

She can dress anyway she wants to.  She does not need anyone's approval to show her arms.  She is still young enough to be able to do this without old, wrinkled saggy arms.  Good for her!!!!!!

Frances Wheeler, Palm Coast, Fl (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:01 PM)

Michelle care less about what anyone or anybody thinks about her dressing.  She is a beautiful black woman who is married to the most powerful man on the face of the earth.

Opal Johnson (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:01 PM)

You're kidding right? This is an issue?

al (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM)

She is a beautiful woman in many ways.If Ihad that bod I'd sure flaunt it...trend or cold or chic.

daly (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM)

Michele Obama is an inspiration to us all, no matter what she does.  I love that we finally have a first lady who has as much confidence as she does.  She's geniounly real!

DIANA, LOS AN GELES, CA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM)

Let's face it. The First Lady has very strong, sexy arms, so she should go sleeveless whenever and wherever she feels comfortable.  It's not her problem if some are uncomfortable with that.

janedoe (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM)

I've defended her fashion choice on several occassions, she looked beautiful as usual, however, I would have preferred to see her in long sleeves. She has defined who she is and no one can question her intellect, she's a braniac. In my opinion a change from the bare arms would've been  nice and more appropriate for the chambers.

steffie t, Miami Fl (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM)

If I had arms that looked that toned and beautiful I'd go "bare arm" too no matter the season!

Andrea F (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:02 PM)

I wish my arms looked like Michelle's.  She is lovely and refreshing - President Obama should be proud of her!

Marie D Denver, Co (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:03 PM)

Michelle looks AWESOME!!! I should be so lucky! Keep it up, woman, you are fabulous!

Phyllis McDermott, Akron, OH (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:03 PM)

Michelle Obama dresses like the lovely First Lady that she is.   I think she looks fantastic!  If I had her toned arms, I would be in those gorgeous sleeveless dresses too!

Amy D., Yakima WA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:03 PM)

Though I am not a big fan of Michelle's after her "proud of America" comment during the campaign, I don't think her dress preferences is worthy of the attention that it is getting. She has slim muscular arms that enhance sleeveless gowns and she should feel free to display them. Good grief, isn't there other news out there to report on?

Sylvia, Waxahachie, TX (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:03 PM)

She looked terrific.  If you've got (like she does) flaunt it Baby!

Sandy, Coeur d'Alene Idaho (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:03 PM)

I loved Michelle's deep purple ensemble during the President's address.  It was classy and professional...sleeves or no sleeves!!  Go MICHELLE!!  www.iammichelleobama.com

LG, Atlanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:04 PM)

Having no sleeves is slimming.  You almost didn't notice her ginourmous butt.  When she wears red, all the kids say, "hey coolaid!".

scott roper, las vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:04 PM)

Will the economy change if Michelle wears long sleeves?

Wendy L., Thornton, CO (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:06 PM)

She's the most attractive first lady since Jackie Kennedy, and she looks great. Is this really an issue for anyone? If so, they have the problem!

John Doe, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:06 PM)

A little more formality please for those in higher positions.  Being more discrete is warranted for one who represents a diverse culture.

mary jones (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:08 PM)

Jackie Kennedy wore sleeveless dresses many times.  I agree, is this really an issue?  Michelle looks great!

Jan, Parsons, Kansas (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:08 PM)

White after Labor Day??? OH, NO! Say it ain't so.

For pity sakes, do people still cling to those archaic 'rules'?

Michelle is a classy, tasteful, elegant lady who, in my opinion, always looks fantabulous. Her good looks, bright smile, intelligent eyes, and glowing skin outshine anything she wears anyway. We should all be so lucky.

Wordsmith (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:08 PM)

She looks okay...nothing more, nothing less.

Danny Ambiance (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:08 PM)

The grace and beauty presented last night, by Michelle is only a continued presence of how wondeful it is to see that not only , is the country
going in the right direction, its followed by total
beauty and confidence through her, and she is not afraid to show it..  all the cabinet should follow suit.

April , Portland, Or (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:09 PM)

Right on, Sara! If we can get past this thing about what women are wearing and focus on more important issues, I think this country will finally have grown up. Bare arms are nothing compared to the bare bottoms in Hollywood--now that's an issue for concern!
Michele has already proven to be an fashion icon...next!

Caryn, Williamsburg, VA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:09 PM)

I told my gym they need to add class called Michelle Obama's arms!

Dee VA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:17 PM)

Michelle looks wonderful no matter what she wears.  Sleeves no sleeves that is  her choice.  She shows you what taking care of yourself looks like. And I love her confidence.  She wears what she is comfortable with. I love that!  

Brenda, Ashland, MA (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:18 PM)

My gosh, I'm glad I live in Texas and not up north, where apparently sleevelessness is a sin.

Kim Colt, Surfside Beach, Texas (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:18 PM)

Who really cares?  This is not an issue.  Mrs. Obama is a beautiful woman and is adult enough to choose her own clothing. I have never seen her look anyting but gorgeous.

Kitty Lady, Salem, OR (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:18 PM)

You're kidding right? This is an issue? Michelle Obama is beautiful, classy, fit, intelligent and married to Barak Obama! If this is all you can focus on then maybe you're jealous.

Angie, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 4:18 PM)

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