Michelle Obama wears it well

At 5-feet-11 in her stocking feet, political wife Michelle Obama is supermodel tall and “the perfect mannequin” for fashion.

Since she hit the campaign trail in support of her husband last year, she has soared to the top of best-dressed lists and has been a much-in-demand cover model for women’s magazines, which have touted her graceful but accessible personal style, wearing everything from upscale designers to mass-marketed H&M; frocks.

For the first time perhaps, an American political figure, albeit a candidate’s wife, has stepped out in garments that real-life women can purchase at the mall, and they are responding to her get-real savvy for dressing.

“I think she proves that elegance doesn’t have to be expensive,” observes Palm Beach stylist Cathy Orrico, whose namesake boutique C.Orrico, filled with colorful Lilly Pulitzer designs and beach-inspired apparel, has been dressing the well-heeled for years.

“It’s thrilling to see her day in and day out at a realm of taste that is not a couture proposition,” she said.

Indeed, Mrs. Obama’s classy-but-common touch to clothing has sparked a discourse on making it work, whether high fashion or on a budget. There is even a Web site, www.mrs-o.org - dubbed “a regular look at what and who she’s wearing” - devoted to analyzing her every ensemble.

The site asks fashionista readers to identify her outfits through photos from each campaign stop and public appearance and to write in and identify the designer or label. It links to the stores’ Web sites, where her fashion admirers can see the prices she paid and pick up their own copycat looks.

On one level, Mrs. Obama’s ready-to-wear style is easy to imitate. On recent campaign swings through Florida, she wore floral circle skirts and matching solid-colored sweaters in bright tones, accessorized by metallic ballet flats, which worked in the humid, tropical climate.

But on another level, she has favored and earned plaudits for her fitted, sleeveless and often three-quarter sleeved shift dresses, many in rich jewel-toned colors like purple and teal, which she has worn at key campaign events, including the night her husband accepted the Democratic nomination. Many remember not only her spirited fist-bump with husband Barack Obama, but also her outfit. Those monochromatic power dresses - deftly accessorized with her famed tri-strand of pearls or often with a bold pin from her own jewelry box - call attention to not only her height, but her athletic build, which helps her to exude feminine strength as she stumps for her husband.

“She has that kind of sinewy body, strong shoulders, small waist - they hang beautifully on her,” Miss Orrico observes of her wardrobe’s chic wearability.

When Mrs. Obama appeared on “The Tonight Show” last week, host Jay Leno tweaked her for a response on criticism about Republican vice-presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin’s $150,000 campaign wardrobe, which Mrs. Palin argues is not her own property, but belongs to her party.

Mrs. Obama did not take the bait, diplomatically explaining that it was hard for a new candidate to quickly jump into the demands of a campaign and the need for a polished wardrobe fit for a national stage. She then fessed up to Mr. Leno about the yellow skirt and sweater set.

“I want to ask you about your wardrobe. I’m guessing about 60 grand? $60-$70,000 for that outfit?” Mr. Leno quipped.

“Actually, this is a J. Crew ensemble,” she revealed. “We ladies, we know with J. Crew, you can get some good stuff online.”

“Doesn’t that take the fun out of it?” Mr. Leno parried about using a mall-style retailer such as J. Crew.

Story Continues →