At the end of the day, who cares what she's wearing. As long as her and her husband are doing their job in restoring our economy, health and education system, I don't give a damn what she wears!

And?

Should I move out of my affluent neighborhood because times are harder for others? No.

The Obama's made something like 3 million last year... they can afford all the same expensive clothes as everyone else in their circle. I think it's a little ridiculous for them to purposely wear things to make them appear more middle-of-the-Americas. There's a press release every time Michelle wears (so-called affordable) J Crew, but then $540 sneakers are "just shoes." I like Michelle Obama and think she has done great work thus far, but I wish they wouldn't play this game.

I love that she is wearing Lanvin! Love it!
She probably put it on her Barney's card anyways, everyone calm down

personally i would have bought a fabulous purse or necklace. i wonder if she bought a $600 coach bag it would have caused such attention. based on the obama's tax statement, those shoes won't put them in the poor house. i like that she does high and low end. j crew to $500 shoes. my problem is i think those are some ugly shoes.

I don't want my president or the first lady to look like the average American. I don't want the Average Joe running the country!!! They are supposed to be elite.

I'm with HoneyBrown. Who cares? They can afford it. That said, I think they're ugly shoes.

I have no problem with them spending all they want on shoes, clothes, etc. But, I agree with commenter #3. If they are going to make a big deal out of wearing affordable clothes, they have to be prepared for criticism of the more expensive clothes they wear.

Seriously? I was hoping that there might be some funny to this, but no. I was promised some GiggleSugar in TresSugar, but all I have found is DearSugar, but more annoying.

Hmm.

So?

But I have the feeling that the reaction of people reacting to this article is going to be different if it's another public figure possibly from another political affiliation

before we jump all over this, I'm pretty sure Lanvin just gave them to her. anyway, they don't look worth $500, but I doubt she spent any money on them.

#1 I dont care if she spent 1000 its her money

#2 thems some ugly shoes.

Umm who cares we all know they have money, the shoes are still ugly regardles...as long as I didn't have to pay for them then it's all good.

I'll be more concerned if Lanvin just gave them to her! There are some serious ethical issues there.

What they buy with their own money is their business. I care more about their ability to verbally and ideologically connect with the general public.

I'm with Honeybrown on this one. I get that people are struggling, but its not like they are covered in diamonds and baby seal skin.

CG, lol, you are so right, I don't care how much they cost they are still ugly.

This whole idea that because the economy as a whole is suffering, EVERYONE should cut back and be frugal really bothers me. If someone can afford to buy $500 shoes, we should just be happy that it's putting money back into the economy! I suspect some of the drop in retail sales is because people are scared into spending less money even if they can afford it.

i love how the headline is "uh oh". this coming from a site that had a fab find involving a $1,500 handbag to career counselling.

hey, look! $400 J. Crew shoes! http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/shoes...

Dear Media, Please stop acting like J. Crew is "for the masses" just because it's not Chanel.

Dear Michelle Obama, I love your style, wear what you want.

I think she can wear what she wants to — it's her money, after all — but that it probably wasn't a wise idea to choose such an expensive pair of kicks when so many people are struggling financially. I'm surprised people haven't gone all ZOMG because Lanvin is a French label.

Amen mamasitatamali. J Crew is not for the masses. Maybe 10 years ago, but their stuff is now is just like every other preppy, cookie cutter, upmarket store.

i think that people should just let it go. the Obamas are paying for the renovations to the White House from their own pocket so if she wants to wear expensive shoes - then who cares. it's her money.

Probably freebies from the maker, and to the commenter above, what ethical issues could there possibly be? They are just SHOES!

Awesome shoes, but shoes

There are tons of laws on the books about elected officials and their families accepting anything gratis from any company.

The Honest Leadership and Open Government Act is a good place to start if you want something more specific.

I am beyond over Michelle Obama and the fashion world... shes the First Lady, not a "celebrity", leave her alone. Its her money, I'm sure she worked hard to gather up $500 shoes... many people do.

PLUS i agree with Jmartens, maybe she got them for free to help the designer promote? People do it all the time...

I work in government ethics. Unless she broke the law, the shoes weren't free.

girl. If I could treat myself to Lanvin in a recession I sure would! I think about it all the time. and you know I would have chosen something WAAAYYY less practical. I stand proud of the first lady and her practical shoe choices. It's all about price per wear. And anyway, it could've been a gift from a stylist? Or designer? EVERYONE wants to be her friend. Lady is soooo POPULAR...

Blechhh this is sickening. It's a big, bad deal when McCain wears $500 shoes, but for Michelle everyone just says get over it.

Which is it? Do we care if they're rich enough or not? Can't have it both ways, my pretties.

I honestly don't care that she spent $540 dollars on shoes, I Mean nobody was screaming at Carrie Bradshaw for it. But those shoes?? really and REALLY Lanvin maker of beautiful flowing garments of goddesses all over the earth THOSE SHOES come on!

She can wear whatever she wants, but she should be prepared to deal with the fallout of being somewhat hypocritical of her husband's message, as well as distancing herself from 'the regular people.'

You would think she would have picked a cuter pair of shoes for the risk of alienating the blue (or no_ collar crowd.

La Seleniata, I totally agree -- if people don't know that most candidates who run for major, national public office can afford $500 shoes, or if they make into a "look at those big bad rich Republicans" argument, they're idiots. I think the major issue this past election is that campaign money went to Sarah Palin's wardrobe. I guarantee private citizens did not donate money to McCain's cause for Sarah Palin to get Pygmalion-ed

Actually, mama, I know a lot of people who have donated significant amounts to the RNC and others who have donated much smaller amounts; none of them minded the expense. Of course, some of the RNC's thousands of donors probably minded, but I can say for a fact that some didn't.

First Families have always worn expensive clothes, it's no different with the Obamas

Michelle and Barack are highly educated people who have earned the right to wear whatever they want to. They should not be criticized for it or expected to "dress down" to appease those that can't afford it.

I don't think Michelle is as beautiful or fashionable at the hype - it's just my own taste and aesthetics. But I love the discussion about it! I say more power to her!

Bri

Jesus = she didn't buy them. They were given to her. How soon we forget about Sarah Palins wardrobe. Do you think the dress that Michelle wore at the inaugural ball was 20 bucks off the sale rack? This is a business, and part of it is looking good.

Besides, she pinched pennies on her garden. Let the woman wear some stuff she likes and feels good in.

Who the F cares?? She should wear whatever she wants!

I think she should be able to wear what she wants. Her wearing a pair of $54 sneakers instead of $540 won't make any difference to the people.
Really, only in America will people care/make a big deal out of this. Nowhere else is the "First Lady" scrutinized and held to such high standards as in the USA, I think.

Her shoes remind me of keds back when they were popular. I know I'm going back for that one. I think as long as they're dressed and capable of running America efficiently I'm not concerned with what they wear.

Omigosh, I remember reading about how pissed off a lot of French citizens were at Carla Bruni for "flaunting" her high-end stuff when they were having economic problems.

She can wear whatever the hell she wants!

Smacks, I did not know about that. Thanks!

I'm in the minority here. Personally, I think it was a mistake for her to wear those shoes. Perhaps her saving grace is that she's trying to stimulate the economy??

Incidentally, in my opinion, those shoes are not worth $540. I can't believe someone would pay that much for those kind of shoes. In the market, one can pay a fraction of that price for comparable shoes. Talk about over-paying.

Mamacita - THANK YOU! Seriously, J. Crew is so far from "for the masses" - it's actually DAMN expensive! $80 camis and $60 flip flops are too extravagant for my blood. The Obamas can afford it, though, so good for them!

mamasitamalita and stardust: I am SO with you ladies !! J Crew used to be akin to Gap.. now it's more expensive then Banana and Ann Taylor. I have a decent job (I'm an attorney), and no kids, and I cannot afford J Crew. I don't think you can find a tshirt under $40 or a sweater under $90 now.

it fine with me. if she can afford it, who cares?! i think it's great that we have such fashion forward first lady! i think everyone just got use to the old first lady who was PLAIN AND BORING.

Ok, so, I kinda think those shoes are cute.
Also, I don't understand what the big deal is about- she bought the shoes with her money, and even if she had spent a million dollars on them, it really wouldn't matter. In fact, I think it's great that she is shopping, period, as it's better for the economy!

for $540 i'd by prettier shoes lol but that's besides the point. look- she's like any other american. she is frugal in some areas, ie. jcrew, and she splurges on other things. she spent her own money (or maybe it was a gift but either way) she should be allowed to enjoy a few fun purchases.

is this really important?they have money,can afford it and that's it.personally i don't like the shoes.