Michelle Obama & her wardrobe..

A lot has been made of Michelle Obama's decision to wear shorts during the family's vacation visit to the Grand Canyon a few days ago. Temperatures in the canyon can reach upwards of 100 degrees this time of year. The shorts look like some standard Old Navy cargo shorts...nothing particularly fashionable about them. I think that she wore for comfort and not fashion, but a debate has sprung up about whether or not she is "too casual" as a first lady.

Michelle already won my 'Swag Award' following the Obama's first trip to Europe, where she wowed the media and other female heads of state while President Obama was meeting with officials at the G-20 Summit.

Personally, I think the shorts are fine and I would be more outraged if she wore a pants suit in the middle of August to the Grand Canyon than these simple shorts. I wanted to pose the question to my readers though. What do we think of her shorts?? Comfortably chic, or crossing the line??

Swag Award of the Week March 30-April 5

This week saw a tremendous dichotomy for women worldwide. In Afghanistan, women's rights have seemingly taken a substantial blow as Hamid Karzai and the Afghani government passed a law that makes it legal for a Shiite husband to rape his wife. According to reports, Karzai passed the law to "bolster re-election prospects," as Shiite Muslims constitute 20% of the Afghan population.

Contrast that with the massive media coverage Michelle Obama has received during the Obama's trip overseas this week. President Obama is at the G-20 Summit negotiating the financial crisis, gathering allies for the fight against terror, changing the way the rest of the world views and responds to America, and mediating disputes between leaders of other nations...that's a lot to get done in a week in your first 4 months on the job.. 

All of that has seemingly taken a backseat to Michelle, her wardrobe, and the way she and other female heads of state have reacted to one another. From the time she stepped off Air Force One in London, the press has been raving about what Michelle Obama has been wearing. First there was the Michael Kors dress she wore as the Obama's left the White House, and the Jason Wu dress she wore when they arrived. J.Crew loves her, because everything she wears sells out instantly, and the cardigan/skirt combination she donned earlier this week was no different. The company's stock is up↑10.6% as well, and I'm sure she had something to do with it. 

The much anticipated meeting between Michelle and the Queen of England did not disappoint either, as much was made of the embrace the two shared. It is considered a political faux-pas to make contact with the Queen, but by all accounts, the Queen put her arm around Michelle first and Michelle reciprocated. SWAG incarnate. 

The icing on the proverbial cake occurred today when Michelle Obama faced off against Carla Bruni, France's fashionable first lady. Even Bruni, an ex-supermodel, was slain by the fashion beast that Michelle Obama has become. Bruni's Dior dress did not receive nearly the same high marks as Obama's outfit from the fashion experts who care about such things. 

What a week for Michelle Obama. Holding her own with the Prime Minister of England's wife, schmoozing with the Queen of England, standing next to Carla Bruni of France and making the world forget who used to be a supermodel. All of this while hubby is off trying to rally the troops at the G-20 Summit.  

Barack Obama is living the dream right now. Every man to some degree wants what he has; a great job and a beautiful woman by his side. Yes, things at home and abroad are less than ideal, but every man wants to be with a woman that has traits like Michelle Obama. To say she has beauty and brains is an understatement. As President of the United States every move is scrutinized, especially when in front of the world at a summit such as the G-20. The photo-ops and discussions that have taken place at the conference are back page events compared to the photo-ops and discussions that the first ladies have had, largely because of Michelle Obama's impact and presence. Congratulations Michelle Obama for continuing to redefine what it means to be a 21st century woman. Your swag is contagious, not only in America, but around the world.