Should Michelle Obama borrow clothes and jewels like a celeb? Nancy Reagan couldn't.
Michelle Obama wore $17,000 diamond chandelier earrings designed by Loree Rodkin to the "We Are One" concert on Sunday — not a gift from her husband, but borrowed from a Chicago retailer. The next morning, dispatches were dutifully sent out from the publicist for Rodkin to let the press know whom to credit for her ear candy. How very red carpet.
Michelle Obama looked stunning, but should she be borrowing baubles like Kate Winslet on the eve of the Oscars? Or a former first lady who was a size 0? As reported in a 1988 Time article, a little more than two decades ago, Nancy Reagan got her manicured toe in hot water for borrowing designer clothes after having promised she would no longer do so. (Having seen her collection of James Galanos gowns at the Reagan library last year, I know that woman could shop ... or borrow.) You see, back in 1982, she agreed to stop borrowing clothes — thanks to a pact created by the then-White House counsel and Office of Government Ethics — because the gifts or loans represented taxable income when the donors could benefit from her wearing them.
Now, that's a no-brainer. Already, the Maria Pinto, J. Crew and Black & White outfits Mrs. Obama has bought and worn have been major sellouts. And her status as a style icon has been cemented by fashion critics and women alike, so she will be one to watch for fashion cues. Come tax day, she may have to report the "gifts" she borrowed as income.
Do you think the first lady should be calling in gowns and gems or pull out that credit card and rely on her own wardrobe? Tell us.
— Monica Corcoran
Photo credit: Getty Images
She should NOT be borrowing clothes or jewelry. If she can't afford to buy it (and I don't mean on our dime), she should not be wearing it. Who does she think she is anyway? They both turn my stomach. Isn't it wonderful that we voted in a socialist to be our president?? Wake up America!!!
Posted by: Cindy | January 20, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Actually, she can do what she feels. If individuals would do their research, she has the money WITH her PRINCETON and HARVARD LAW degrees, along with her former 6- figure salary. Everything the President and their families do with their money will not affect the outcome of the American people. They did not come to their new positions poor or broke. If we would have paid more attention to what was done with OUR MONEY and "scrutinized" the White House earlier, we would not be in this predicament with the economy and our relationship with the rest of the world. My stomach is filled with joy knowing that eight years did not turn into 12! If TRUE AMERICANS, regardless of how they felt about the outcome of the election, would not only back the individuals elected to their positons, but their fellow citizens as well, half of the battles in which we have ahead would be won. Individualism and selfishness is why we are in the state that we are in. So congrats America, you listen, paid attention to YOUR country, and now WE will all dig ourselves out of this mess and become the country we are known to be. We all look WOKE TO ME! TEAM AMERICA
Posted by: Marie Lynn | January 20, 2009 at 02:02 PM
If she wants to dress up like a celeb it's okay with me. It's fun, and she IS a celeb! And she always looks great.
Posted by: Laura | January 20, 2009 at 02:16 PM
I fail to see the problem with Obama "borrowing" jewelry. If I could... I would too.
Posted by: Lady Voter | January 20, 2009 at 02:44 PM
When Michelle Obama appears in public she not only represents the United States, she also has the opportunity to showcase American fashion houses and American designers -- things that stimulate our economy in additon to raising her approval rating abroad. I like having my First Lady look great in addition to being the smart, strong, compassionate woman she is. If she borrows the clothes that can give the American fashion industry a boost rather than relying solely on her own wardrobe, so much the better. She isn't spending taxpayer money, and the only favor she is granting the designers in return is wearing the clothes -- which helps hundreds of thousands of American workers. (And while I wasn't big on Nancy Reagan, I never saw an ethical problem in her borrowing clothes from designers either -- it's not like she turned around and gave them government contracts in return!)
Posted by: PMacBee | January 20, 2009 at 02:48 PM
Like the woman said ahead of me with their Princton, Harvard Law Education one would think they have the money for the Bling .She should have her own selected jewellery one would think.No they are very well heeled so it's bad press.
Posted by: Elizabeth Evans | January 20, 2009 at 02:54 PM
I don't see the association between borrowing very expensive jewelry and being a socialist.
In terms of capitalism it's very beneficial for a designer to have the first lady wear one of their pieces. If I were a jewelery designer who made very expensive items I would want the First Lady to wear my pieces even if she couldn't afford it; it's a wonderfully effective form of advertising.
Posted by: Lisa | January 20, 2009 at 03:31 PM
Listen to us, having the freedom to voice the opinion about what we think the First Lady should wear and not wear. Aren't we lucky. Those who condem her, are not appreciative.
Posted by: mary | January 20, 2009 at 04:19 PM
I love the Obama's, but I'm not following by BLIND faith as many American's are doing. If it wasn't allowed and seen as unethical before, the same should be applied now to the Obama's. She can sport whatever she feels like if she paid for them. However she shouldn't be borrowing to the benefit of those loaning these extravagant items out. Imagine the under the table dealings and payoffs that could occur just to have the Obama's wear something. "Here Miss Obama, wear my earrings and I'll give you $xxxxx." Don't make the Presidency a sham people!!!
Posted by: bruin_bry | January 20, 2009 at 06:10 PM
OH well maybe next time
Posted by: lone ranger | January 20, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Who is this hater Cindy anyway? the world needs people who are more positive and loving not haters like you who can say something like this and I quote her words:
"Who does she think she is anyway? They both turn my stomach. Isn't it wonderful that we voted in a socialist to be our president?? Wake up America!!!"
If you are so disgusted that the Obamas won and you can't live with it, pls ask God to help you so you don't catch a terrible disease because it's been said that bitterness & grudges cause cancers and other diseases. God help you though.
Posted by: B | January 20, 2009 at 06:28 PM
Wait one minute....when Sarah Palin was wearing clothes that were thought to be expensive, the Dems threw a fit . Mrs. Obama said on national tv, "oh, i wear J. Crew" -- my how things change! Where's your Gap dress? No economy problem in the White House now I guess! Funny how campaign promises never come true.
Posted by: Becky | January 20, 2009 at 07:23 PM
she should follows law just like everyone else..what is this?
Posted by: anne | January 20, 2009 at 08:54 PM
she should not borrow. pay for your own clothes. what is this???
Posted by: anne | January 20, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Our First Ladie's clothes and style are important, wheather
she owns them, wears them on loan, or given to her
from designers.
Michelle is expected to look classy and stylish, it's in the
best interest of all Americans.
Let her enjoy the status and respect this tradition.
Posted by: Steve Tronson | January 20, 2009 at 11:06 PM
Our First Ladie's clothes and style are important, wheather
she owns them, wears them on loan, or given to her
from designers.
Michelle is expected to look classy and stylish, it's in the
best interest of all Americans.
Let her enjoy the status and respect this tradition.
Posted by: Steve Tronson | January 20, 2009 at 11:08 PM
She should be allowed to do it! If celebs can do it, why can't the most powerful woman in the free world?? plus those jewels look stunning on her!
Posted by: CK | January 21, 2009 at 12:42 AM
okay people it's one thing to BORROW $20,000 jewels and clothes and quite another to PAY for them. palin PAID for her clothes. obama is BORROWING. technically that's more economical she's fab regardless of what she's wearing but her style just epitomizes the class of the first lady.
Posted by: Maria | January 21, 2009 at 12:44 AM
I think she should borrow clothes/jewelry, as long as they are American made and/or American designed. Just think of how it could help our economy to have women inspired to buy everything from J Crew to lavish outfits. She's going to look great, and she might as well be a walking billboard to the world of our talented craftspeople!
Posted by: Mama | January 21, 2009 at 01:50 AM
I like the Obamas but the reason that she should not borrow is because it costs the gov't money. The designers can get tax write offs and they pay fewer tax dollars. So -no- she should not be pulling tax dollars out of the system.
Posted by: anne | January 21, 2009 at 04:42 AM