[Mader]

Why does Mrs. Obama get so much coverage for her clothing? She dresses nicely, appropriately, but we seem to read more about her clothing choices than her work as First Lady.

Any ideas why? Sexism? If sexism, why is the Huffington Post a leader on this?

[Lucid]

I don't think the Huffington Post is exempt from sexism just because it's a liberal publication.

I honestly have no idea. You get a pretty and young first lady and everyone cares a lot about her fashion ideas. Maybe that's it.

[Myth]

Because

1) it is another convenient excuse to avoid the real issues, and

2) there is money in it.

[Night Runner]

Because the nation finally got a good-looking first lady.
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[phej]

A question from history that probably gets the same answers: Why did Jackie O become a fashion icon?

She was attractive, elegant, and youthful.

[Solaris]

I have to go with phej here. It's just been somewhat traditional to keep the media's eye on what the First Lady wears. They have more political pull now than decades ago, but they are still often viewed as glorified housewives.

[Mader]

But Jackie Kennedy was in a different time.

Women were still basically an appendage of their husbands in the early 60's.

Shouldn't the feminist groups be outraged that this woman, in a position of power, is reduced to a fashion doll?

[PortInStorm]

Because it's sexist to mention clothes/looks if women are ugly, and a compliment if they are beautiful. Michelle is supposed to be beautiful, so they feel they're entitled to judge her worth by her appearance.

Not right, IMO, but the way the world works it seems.

[Holiman]

Are you saying being a feminist means that you cannot take part in fashion trends or be the object of admiration because of your beauty?

[Solaris]

Yes, but I also think there's little to be done about it. I wonder if the same would happen if we had a female president. Would her husband be just a fashion icon who worked with charities and non-profits?

[PortInStorm]

	Originally Posted by Holiman To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Are you saying being a feminist means that you cannot take part in fashion trends or be the object of admiration because of your beauty?

Nope, not saying that.

[phej]

	Originally Posted by Solaris To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Yes, but I also think there's little to be done about it. I wonder if the same would happen if we had a female president. Would her husband be just a fashion icon who worked with charities and non-profits?

Maybe, you're assuming that the First Husband would also be stylish and handsome (like M. Obama is elegant and fashionable.) Although I really don't keep up w/ fashion, so my opinion prb. matters ltitle.

[Lucid]

	Originally Posted by Mader To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	But Jackie Kennedy was in a different time. Women were still basically an appendage of their husbands in the early 60's. Shouldn't the feminist groups be outraged that this woman, in a position of power, is reduced to a fashion doll?

It takes a long time for social attitudes to change, even if the social realities have. Despite the fact that women are in many ways socially equal to men, they are often seen as fashion dolls or as less competent or as less important. This is mostly unconscious I think and just holdover from earlier times when, as you say, women were basically an appendage of their husbands.

I don't think there's anything wrong with people noticing that she dresses nicely and is attractive, but I'd rather see more emphasis placed on her accomplishments. I'm going to make a point to talk more about her accomplishments myself, in the hope that it catches on.
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[Holiman]

Sorry Portinstorm I was actually meaning the comment to Mader since he was pushing this feminist anger issue.

The media seems to love it, the first family seem happy and TBH I would rather see that make new's than another stupid article about Kim il threatining to blow up the world because he's short and angry.

[DanteFalling]

She's over 5'10": she's basically a hanger for clothes.

[rewhu]

I recall a fair amount of media coverage regarding Nancy Reagan's wardrobe, particularly about how she supposedly looked great in red.

Also, I think that Hillary Clinton's clothing got some focus, albeit in a much less complimentary manner.

[Solaris]

I was simply wondering if the opposite would apply. I mean, the male spouse of a female president would have to take up the roles usually given to the First Lady (would we call him the First Gentleman?). However, I just don't see that it would really happen that way, and yet he would have to play a subordinate role to his wife.

[phej]

	Originally Posted by Solaris To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I was simply wondering if the opposite would apply. I mean, the male spouse of a female president would have to take up the roles usually given to the First Lady (would we call him the First Gentleman?). However, I just don't see that it would really happen that way, and yet he would have to play a subordinate role to his wife.

I think you're right about the title.

The first First Gentleman would take the mantle of the previous First Lady. I believe that there are oodles of protocol associated w/ the office. But this has happened in the West: Margaret Thatcher's spouse, Denis Thatcher. (But I am woefully ignorant of British government. I still don't know what a Tory is.)

[Solaris]

	Originally Posted by phej To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I think you're right about the title. The first First Gentleman would take the mantle of the previous First Lady. I believe that there are oodles of protocol associated w/ the office. But this has happened in the West: Margaret Thatcher's spouse, Denis Thatcher. (But I am woefully ignorant of British government. I still don't know what a Tory is.)

As it's the only Western country I know of ever having that situation, I think it's the only comparison. But I also don't think it's really a good comparison. The Brits are more accustomed to strong female leadership (Her Majesty still wields a great deal of power). Therefore, I think placing the male in a subordinate political/social position has precedent and acceptance already there. I don't see that going over quite as easily here.

I also don't know a Tory from a Whig.

[Tristan]

I don't think Michelle Obama is good-looking. That's my contribution to this discussion.

[phej]

Originally Posted by Solaris To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

As it's the only Western country I know of ever having that situation, I think it's the only comparison. But I also don't think it's really a good comparison. The Brits are more accustomed to strong female leadership (Her Majesty still wields a great deal of power). Therefore, I think placing the male in a subordinate political/social position has precedent and acceptance already there. I don't see that going over quite as easily here. I also don't know a Tory from a Whig.

(See, you know more than me, you know the "Other" party).

Ah, so does that mean that you don't expect a woman U.S. president anytime soon?

[Amphorian]

Well they're also having news stories about Obama's fashion sense, what the family eats and how they deal with their children. I think it's more mindless coverage then just Ms. Obama's clothes. ._.

[JonD]

This talk in the media began when Mrs. O. began wearing sleeveless outfits, which is something quite atypical for a First Lady to wear. She is also a very fit lady, and there has been a bunch of talk about her toned arms, which then goes into discussion about her workout routine, her diet, whether or not she's putting her responsibilities as a mother and lawyer first or her fitness, etc. It's quite ridiculous, but that's the media for you. Anything that will sell will be sold.

[Cincinnatus]

	Originally Posted by Mader To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Why does Mrs. Obama get so much coverage for her clothing? She dresses nicely, appropriately, but we seem to read more about her clothing choices than her work as First Lady. Any ideas why? Sexism? If sexism, why is the Huffington Post a leader on this?

To be honest, I don't care why. Salad days must be here again, if a newspaper has nothing better to write about.

Any article about Mrs. Obama's clothing or physical fitness gets a page flip out of me. I'm not going to concern myself with it. If others want to have kaffeeklatsch discussion on it, then that's their business.

[SirJac]

Because people have interest in the Obama family but most can't carry a conversation about anything meaningful. It's just to cater to the people who's only reading comes from tabloids.