Michelle Obama's cheap-o Donna Ricco 'View' dress flies off the racks!

What do U.S. women feel about a potential first lady who wears an inexpensive, off-the-rack dress to co-host "The View?"

Pretty darn enthusiastic.

After Michelle Obama mentioned on "The View" on Wednesday that she bought her B&W sundress at a store called White House/Black Market, women started pouring into the retail chain's stores, clamoring for the $148 dress designed by Donna Ricco.

"Women literally were snatching (that dress) up," Jessica Wells, a spokeswoman for the White House/Black Market, which has 322 stores across the country, told the Wall Street Journal.

Turns out it may not only be time for a political change, it may also be time for a change of clothes when it comes to first ladies.

"I'd put her in an Oprah sphere in terms of influence," Tom Julian, prez of the Tom Julian Group, a New York City-based brand consultancy, told the WSJ.

Later, speaking to the Dish Rag, Julian predicted that Obama will change the face of political fashion in that she could be the first first lady to wear both high and low-end fashion.

"She will bring affordable American sportswear to the forefront, and this is very appealing to the Middle American woman voter. I can also see her as a Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry, Angela Bassett-style dresser.  She's modern –- a boomer, a woman of color with a real shape. It will be interesting what she picks as a signature piece, and I predict that it will be in the sportswear realm."

He also says he would not be surprised to see her embrace some black designers such as Kevan Hall and Tracy Reese, to tell a modern American fashion story during the upcoming election.

Speaking solely for myself, how incredibly refreshing to see an intelligent, articulate woman who shops for herself, doesn't use a stylist and doesn't think a designer name means she's better dressed than someone else. Michelle just likes to look pretty and comfortable. How novel.

I far prefer this woman's fashion sense to that other one, you know, the waifish blond beer heiress who goes with Secret Service agents to Oscar de la Renta's swanky Manhattan showroom to check out his designer wares.

Speaking as someone who has worn a $129 dress from Urban Outfitters to the Oscars (more than once) and gotten compliments on it from total strangers, Michelle, I salute you!

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Now, about that trademark fist bump ....

By the by, If you don't think this fashion stuff matters in the grand scheme of things, well, you're just wrong. Even our intrepid political blogger Andrew Malcolm is fascinated by the furor over Michelle's frock. And he's a real journalist and a Pulitzer Prize finalist, fer crying out loud.

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Andrew makes an interesting (if thoroughly male) observation about the whole dress-envy deal. He actually doesn't understand "why women who are absolutely appalled to be seen wearing the same dress as another woman are now running out to buy one just like millions of other women who are also running out to look like another woman they saw on TV."

If you want to explain it to him, leave a comment on his Top of the Ticket blog. Just keep it short. They are dealing with really important political issues over there.

Photo: Chico's, FAS, Inc.

Comments

[Ginny]

Who says $148. is cheap for a sundress?????
Get a grip on the average woman in this country. People can barely afford gas and groceries and your banner reads like a new york fashionista snob.

[Tamme]

I would like a first lady that is a reflection of a real modern woman.

[Susan]

When she was on The View wearing this dress, she referred to it as "I bought it at that black and white store".

[WISE OWL]

Why was Michele in a sundress when all the others on the view were covered up? Michele towered over the others like a giantress.

$148 is too much for the sun dress. Michele still looked like an Angela Davis who is set to overthrow our country.

It made me sick to hear Joy on the view suck up to Mrs. Obama. Sorry, but I don't find her attractive. She does not look like any political wife that I have seen in a lifetime.

I hope I don't have to look at that for 4 years.

[sue]

Michelle is warm and real.

Cindy is a rich an ice-queen.

Simple.

[Marie]

Our society is too hung up on shallow, unimportant things like fashion and looks. Looks don't define who we are; actions do. I think we pay attention to the wrong things in so many venues. If you're more concerned about the price of a dress or how attractive (or not) you think this potential first lady is then you need to get over yourselves and start thinking about the freedoms that ALLOW YOU TO CHOOSE what you wear and how you speak about our government. Those freedoms came at a price...and it's not just what you see printed on a tag hanging on an item in a clothing store.

[Munir Umrani]

Wise Owl,

What kind of political wives have you seen in your lifetime?

Do you mean that you've never seen an African-American political wife who is an attorney and a hospital executive?

Are you implying that all the political wives you've seen are white?

I'm confused. Please clarify?

[ML]

She looks great-- I like her. While many people do struggle to buy groceries and gas, this country is filled with wealthy folks who can indeed afford a $148 dress. I personally would not spend that on a dress, but so what? It should be nothing new about how competitive and superficial our celebrity obessed culture has become. Can the View make a difference and bring up serious issues? Frankly, I hardly ever watch this show. I can't stand the Republican chick.

[NativeDaughter]

I think the frenzy over the dress is less about how "cheap" it is compared to what the average woman can afford and more about how "cheap" it is compared to what other First Ladies have worn--the truly designer, thousands-of-dollars dresses and suits.

A 100$+ sundress for just hanging out or going to dinner may be a bit much in this economy, but a 148$ to wear on a national television broadcast when you could afford something much more expensive? I think that's what made it admirable. She's frugal and practical.

Julia Roberts' POLKA DOT DRESS, in Pretty Woman movie. Anybody remember that? Why on earth can't you BIGOTS who are writing these stupid articles, just go Take a Hike!!!!!

[Deborah]

All those who posted negative comments: grow up!

[ELI]

If BO does not pick HRC as his running mate, then I will vote for McCain and Cindy. And I know a lot of folks who will vote for McCain also. HRC needs to be in the whitehouse as the first female vice president.

So I don't think that MO has a chance of being first lady, because BO has something up his sleeve and it isn't good!

[Sue]

"Speaking solely for myself, how incredibly refreshing to see an intelligent, articulate woman who shops for herself, doesn't use a stylist and doesn't think a designer name means she's better dressed than someone else. Michelle just likes to look pretty and comfortable. How novel."

---I guess you must have missed the part on that episode of "The View" when she talked about working with Maria Pinto, a designer in Chicago. Also, you are a complete fool if you think that she doesn't have a personal stylist. Reality check: her personal stylist picked that dress out for her specifically to give the impression that she actually shops at the same stores we do. Michelle Obama always looks great, but then again, who wouldn't look great with $1000 suits and $800 Jimmy Choos? The Obama camp has successfully fooled all you sheep who think she is like the rest of us, shopping at the local mall.

[S.A.]

Tom Jullian,

I would like to see Michelle Obama wear flip-flop thong footwear in public. Cheap footwear could be her design. Let's change the world to whatever Michells & Barack want.

[NinaK]

These people knocking Michelle sound more like envious, resentful characters. I thought that dress looked very pretty on Michelle!! She is very down to earth, yet is very intelligent and holds a high-responsibility job. Kudos to Michelle. She'll be a wonderful First Lady. For the individual that said she has never seen another first lady like Michelle and she should not be first lady. Are you saying you have never seen a Black first lady?? Otherwise, what do you mean?? Bigotry is not good for your heart and soul, you know??

[NinaK]

Obama supporters are "sheep"? Thank you for the "compliment" as wool is very expensive! I bet you enjoy your wool coats during winter, they keep you nice and cozy warm!! Not to mention your wollen scarf, mittens/gloves and all those nice lamb wool sweaters and Pendleton skirts. How about those nice soft-woolen sweaters? So thank you, again, for your compliment. What would the world do without sheep?? :) :)

[kc]

Eliz has a short memory and her journalistic skills are obviously lacking. Michelle Obama's wardrobe has been carefully staged for months. Check out your own newspaper a few months back Elizabeth

[Vegas]

Michelle is beautiful. The hateful person talking about Angela Davis is just jealous! Michelle is a wonderful woman. She's warm, loving, kind, a wife, a mother, sister, and a daughter. She knows what it's like to have to get up and go to work everyday to keep money coming in. She's no heiress and neither are her daughters, they're just not there, yet. I can relate to Ms. Obama, and I like the fact that she did buy that dress from a store that I even browse from time to time. Yes, $148 is expensive for everyday shopping, but it's an ok thing to do once in a while. It's not totally out of reach for a woman, if she wants something a "celebs" wearing. Prom dresses cost more than that. A teenager could afford it. I proud of Ms. O and hope that she will be our first lady. She's beautiful. Like it or not, she sincerely is a beautiful intelligent woman.

[Vegas]

Janet Langhart Cohen...her hubby is Republican William Cohen, former Sec of Defense...she's also known as First Lady of the Pentagon. She's an extremely beautiful A. American political wife. Wise Owl you wouldn't want to stand next to her or Michelle for that matter. They are gorgeous! And they have better manners, too. I wish I could see more pics of Janet Langhart Cohen, but if you google her on google images, you'll see how stylish and pretty that woman is!

[Angie]

I admire Michelle Obama and I am looking forward to not 4 but 8 years of Barak and Michelle in the White House, She is articulate she is strong and she is beautiful, and not only on the outside but on the inside as well. God Bless them!

[Getreal]

Ok, If Michelle Obama dress for $148 offends people what about Cindy McCain and Laura Bush, They are Typical First Lady's right?

Cindy McCain's $300,000 Outfit
But don't take my word for it,

http://www.vanityfair.com/online/politics/2008/09/cindy-mccains-300000-outfit.html