Revenge of the 'dad jeans' -- president joins wife on Vanity Fair best-dressed list

Our compatriots over in the Calendar section have posted the news that President Obama has made the grade -- style-wise anyway -- and has joined his wife (who has made the cut twice before) on Vanity Fair's 2009 International Best-Dressed List.

That should come as a bit of a shock to those who pilloried the POTUS for the so-called "dad jeans" he wore while throwing out the first pitch at the MLB All-Star game (even "Today's" Meredith Viera felt the need to ask the leader of the free world about his jeans).

I say so-called because as noted here, Obama was actually wearing a pair of Levi Strauss 501s (and I thought he looked a lot less dorky in his denim than he did on the campaign trail).

 My theory? The matchy-matchy approach (see his necktie and the waistband of her dress in the above photo) shows a thoughtful approach -- and a recognition of the powerful impression personal style can make. I first noticed this when then-candidate Obama and former rival Hillary Clinton appeared together in what appeared to be a carefully coordinated shade of blue.

And, really, wouldn't you prefer he stick to hiking up his jeans -- and not taxes?

-- Adam Tschorn

Obama on the mound: A White Sox jacket and Levi's 501s a pitcher of style

Pictures: Michelle Obama, fashion icon

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Top photo: President Obama (above with First Lady Michelle Obama), made Vanity Fair's International Best-Dressed List for the first time, joining his wife, who has been named twice before. Credit: Alex Brandon / Associated Press. Bottom photo: Then-Sens. Hillary Clinton and Obama in June 2008. Photo credit: Jim Young/Reuters.

Comments

[bill disalvo]

so she has at least 56 outfits, and he has one suit

[NONYA]

INSTEAD OF COVERING UNSUBSTANTIVE TOPICS WHY DON'T YOU COVER HOW OBAMA SENT HIS PRECIOUS WIFE TO FRANCE TO GO SHOPPING ON TAX PAYER MONEY WHILE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS ARE UNEMPLOYED

[RICK]

LET'S FACE IT. THE MAN HAS STYLE AND HIS WIFE HAS GRACE WHICH ENTITLES THEM BOTH TO WIN ANY RACE. MY WIFE AND I THINK THEY ARE ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL COUPLES, ME AND MY WIFE BEING NUMBER ONE OF COURSE. SMILE.

[puciret]

I hope the beautiful people are doing more than just showcasing the merchandise. It would be nice to see something productive emerge from the Presidency other than the fact he and his wife are clothes horses. By the by this is not news but toadyism at its zenith . In the future I hope the media will spend its hard earned dollars on investigating what this administration is doing for the public's welfare and not their own self serving interest. At a time when America is struggling to find jobs and ways to survive the last thing this country needs is to hear is the President and First lady making the best dressed list.

[Imma Okochua]

The Obama family knows how to tantalize Americans. Celebrity worshippers have got a celebrity first family. This helps keep people away from looking under the 'dress' to see what is going on at the White House.

[mimi]

For Michelle Obama's job, she needs a great many clothes and many of her dresses are very attractive, but I do wish she would top some of them with matching or coordinated jackets instead of those too-small cardigan sweaters. The high-waisted belts are very tiresome, too, and not flattering to her body. Dresses with matching or contrasting coats work well for her, and they do need to fasten in front so they don't blow in the wind during disembarkation from planes and public platform appearances - but those over-everything belts are awful! If she were to wear pants, a very long coat would work best over them. The dress for the state dinner was gorgeous!