First Lady Chic on a Budget

Michelle Obama is now the world’s newest style icon. Let’s face it. She has a certain flair that’s different from any other first lady in our recent history . The good thing is that you can copy her look even if you’re on a recession budget. It’s easy if you’re a bargain hunter and creative.

1. Better sweaters. Mrs Obama loves cardigans in any style and color. You don’t have to go to J. Crew to get yours. Target and Chadwick’s have the same kind from three quarter to full length sleeves. Chadwick‘s, too, has the beaded ones that she favors as well . If these are too expensive for you , nip down to your local craft store, buy a handful of beads and sew them on your sweater. You’ll have the same look for much less.
2. She sells shells. Another component of our first lady’s wardrobe is the multi tasking shell. Mrs. Obama tends to wear these with everything from slacks to skirts. A shell is easy to make . It can be tee shaped like a regular tee shirt or with a scooped neck and back. I f you want you can just buy a ribbed tee from places like Target or Old Navy and wear it under a blazer or sweater. You can also make one in just a day or two. Have your shells in fashion lasting basics like black, white, navy, red and one bright. This way you can use it in a variety of office and week end looks.
3. Slack-ers beware. Mrs. O loves a good pair of slacks. Everyone from L.L. Bean to Wal-mart has a pair that will fit into everyone‘s lifestyle. If you can‘t afford them now then think about creating your own. Again slacks are a little more complicated to sew than a shell but it can be done. Just find a simple pattern , pick a fabric that’s easy to work with and start sewing., For the summer, whether buying or making , pick a lightweight pair in a cotton or linen blend. Black and navy are always good basic shades and look crisp. Other colors to have are white , beige and grey. You can also try them in a neutral like sage or lighter blue. An easy outfit, similar to our first lady’s are slacks, a tee and a blazer. To dress it up add flats and some beads for work or a dinner out.
4. Move over LBD. Now it’s the LBS- the little black sheathe that blowing everyone’s mind. Mrs Obama rocks this style the best but it also looks good on any other body type,. Sheathe is also easy to wear because it’s just straight up and down. No annoying spaghetti straps. No wardrobe malfunctions. The best part is that it looks sexy on anyone from twenty to whenever. Although most stores from Penney’s to Chadwick’s to Macy’s to Nordstrom’s have them ,a sheathe is a pretty easy dress to sew up. It’s usually a beginner seamstress’ first project. Buy a pattern you can have fun with and a workable material like cotton or linen. Again a sheathe in navy, white and beige are great basics because you can dress them up or down depending upon the situation and occasion.
5. Flat out gorgeous. Like France’s First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozi, Mrs Obama loves her flats. Thanks to stores like Payless , you can buy almost the same kind for relatively nothing. Have a pair of cloth or plain leather for everyday and patent leather for dressing up. There are even open toed ones for the warmer weather. Still craving a bit of height? Some flats have a slight lift with a wedge heel. These look good under slacks and dress up a plain sundress or skirt.
6. Pinning ways. Michelle Obama knows how to rock jewelry. Whether it’s a simple or a feathery pin, her jewelry adds a certain finish to her outfits. Her favorite is the brooch. Long relegated to grandma’s jewelry closet, it’s getting a fresh breath of air again. Luckily Target is carrying the First Lady’s jeweler, Erikson Beamon’s line. There are some pins in the collection that are affordable. There are also a million jewelry sites on the web that are carrying all sorts of flowery and feathery brooches for as low as six or seven dollars. These can dress up a cardigan or a sheathe. Mrs. Obama is known for taking her pins and using them to turn an ordinary outfit into high glam. You can do it too.

Asny frugality can have Mrs. Obama’s low cost yet haute couture look. It just takes a bit of creativity and bargain hunting to find her basics. It’s just smart fashion at a smart price.