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GORDON BROWN is famous for his prudence. So it was only fitting that Michelle Obama should flaunt hers.
In a nod to her host's most abiding character trait, she wore the same green leather Jimmy Choo court shoes the world first saw in January, on her husband's inauguration day.
For why waste money on a new pair of shoes when an old pair will do? With the price of a pair of Choos at around £350, Mr Brown will no doubt approve of Mrs Obama extracting her full money's worth.
Perhaps he will even urge her to wear them for a third time, so their average cost-per-wear becomes a less profligate £116.66. Even so, he is likely to breathe a sigh of relief that his own wife's tastes do not extend to such luxuries.
At the Royal Opera House this morning, Mrs Obama scored another hole in one, albeit in a rather literal sense.
Was she dressed for the theatre, or the golf course? One explanation for her bold Argyle print cardigan was that it paid tribute to her hostess's Scottish roots, in a reciprocal move to Sarah Brown's choice of an American-born British designer, Britt Lintner, yesterday.
But the cardigan bore all the hallmarks of her style, embellished as it was with just a flash of turquoise sequins to elevate it above the average, humdrum cardie. Whether she was tee'd off that Mrs Brown had also chosen a blue suit, we will never know. Sometimes, fashion clashes are just par for the course.
At last night's Downing Street reception, meanwhile, the gloves were off - and the arms were out. Slipping off her calf-length opera coat, a black duchesse satin affair by one of her favourite designers, Jason Wu, she revealed a chic black and white sleeveless dress.
The dress, a crepe silk "tuxedo-tank" with a bow belt by Isabel Toledo, was a wise choice, both for dinner and to meet the Queen. Mrs Obama looked thoughtful and formal. But she couldn't quite banish that signature playful element, as evidenced by the frothy tulle underskirt that created a jaunty swing.
Reader views (13)
The majority of Americans do like the Obamas unlike the comments posted here. As for Thomas' comment, the Bushes have done enough damage! How to get out of the mess we are in is a valid argument, I'm not always in agreement with Obama, but something needs to be done. Time will tell. As for Michelle, she isn't the most beautiful woman, but she is appears approachable unlike the plastic smile Laura Bush always had that didn't always seem sincere.
- Kyle, Seattle, USA, 03/04/2009 06:03
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Oh, how feeble is memory! So many people have commented, "Jackie Kennedy would never have worn sleeveless dresses to formal or state occasions."
On the contrary, there are multiple photographs available online showing First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy wearing quite-stunning SLEEVELESS gowns to State Dinners and other White House formal occasions.
I personally feel that if all women had such gorgeous arms as Michelle's, perhaps they'd proudly display them, as well.
Tom Pack
- Tom Pack, Washington, D.C., USA, 02/04/2009 18:53
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Mr Gordon McRuin lost his 'Prudence' many, many moons ago Dear Boy!!
Like the Monty Python Dead Parrot - "Its a Polygone, Its Dead, Its No More!"
- Uncle Vanya, East Anlgia Area UK, 02/04/2009 17:38
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She looks like a drag queen! Jackie O. Plllllllease! She could not hold a candle to her if all the lights were out. Memo to her 8 hand-maidens: In Europe& the rest of the world, the first 'lahhdies' wear a suit, or dress with jacket.
- Dka, NYC, USA, 02/04/2009 16:45
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One of us certainly needs glasses.
- John Smith, London , England, 02/04/2009 14:30
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Please Europe - you may keep our President and First Lady.
- Terri, New York, 02/04/2009 14:28
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Michele's entire figure lacks. Her glutes are enormous, she is pigeon-toed. She is not really a feminine-type. Nothing like Jackie Kennedy, whom the liberal media is trying to make us believe. I guess we will have four years of this .. ho hum.
- Paloma, New York USA, 02/04/2009 14:12
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I miss classy Laura Bush. Moms Mabley's sense of style is atrocious.
- Lourdes, Florida USA, 02/04/2009 14:09
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Boring outfit. I believe it could be found in the back racks of the local Goodwill.
- Carol, Ozarks, USA, 02/04/2009 14:01
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This article is a joke, right? Ugh, these Obamas are a total embarrassment to us here in the USA. Glamour? You can't be serious. If Europe thinks they are so wonderful, you can have them. They've done enough damage to the USA already.
- Thomas, Florida USA, 02/04/2009 13:35
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She looks like Aunt Esther on "Sanford & Son"
- Mr. Blackwell, Hollywood CA, 02/04/2009 13:28
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Yeah, she's amazingly attractive. But even I would look good with designer clothes, personal hairdresser, make-up artist et al...instead of single-parenting, working, housework, gardening etc...
- Susannah, Essex, 02/04/2009 12:10
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Michelle I salute you ... it was almost worth a trip back to the UK to say so 
- Marianne, SW France, 02/04/2009 11:23
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