Blogs and Stories
How Sasha Obama Triggered a Hot Washington Fad
)
L to R: Pretty Ugly LLC; Reuters
From Michelle’s sleeveless shift dresses to Sasha’s Uglydoll, the new first family is inadvertently generating new trends every time someone takes a photograph.
Not every First Family inspires copycats, but the Obamas seem to have the Kennedy touch when it comes to style. If they do it, others will follow—an observation not lost on savvy retailers for whom the Obama family is a stimulus package.
The newest item in Obamaware is a dinky stuffed thingy: an Uglydoll plush-toy keychain and, apparently, a favorite of one Sasha Obama. The Paper Source in Georgetown—homeland of the benighted cocktail set—is selling a basketful of the creatures on the checkout counter with this pitch: “As seen on Sasha Obama’s backpack.”
Will Obama's tenacious attachment to his BlackBerry—not an iPhone—boost sales for the less-cool, more grown-up device?
Sasha’s doll, called Babo’s Bird, looks like, well, a Babo’s Bird, whatever that is. It was photographed on her backpack as she trekked to her first day of school. Hers is bluish, though they come in other flavors and styles. Not wanting to seem like a shameless Sasha wannabe, I selected a green, horned Icebat, which now dangles impertinently from the zipper of my purse. Price: Just $6.60.
Not since Jackie O. made pearls and pillbox hats de rigueur has a First Lady had the contagious style of Michelle Obama. After 16 years of pantsuits that screamed Mao, she’s brought back the sleeveless shift dress with the kind of arms that whisper, “Psssst, personal trainer.” Thanks to Michelle’s nod toward “recessionista chic,” the economically aware woman—is there any other kind?—will be redisovering classics rather than chasing fashion.
It started last October when Michelle wore a bright yellow J. Crew skirt, sweater and blouse ensemble on The Tonight Show. The pleasantly surprised company immediately began advertising Michelle Obama’s Look. An online ad boasted, “All politics aside... this outfit gets our vote,” and urged customers to buy now before it sold out. The Pembridge-dot pencil skirt ($148), Italian Deco tank ($99.99), and crystal-button colorblock cardigan ($89.99) were snapped up in no time as traffic to the J. Crew site increased 464 percent. I confess, I coveted that skirt—sold out before I got mine—but all politics aside?
Hardly. Michelle’s appearance followed closely on the red high heels of Sarah Palin’s Wardrobegate—the revelation that the National Republican Committee had spent more than $150,000 on clothes and makeup for Palin and her family. Voters computed that looking good needn’t be a privilege only of the very (or very recently) rich.
Even Barack Obama has brought a new look to America’s national campus: Ray-Ban sunglasses, cargo pants, and a baseball cap. Will his tenacious attachment to his BlackBerry—not an iPhone—boost sales for the less-cool, more grownup device?
How Rich People Smoke Pot
Paul Schrodt is a writer living in New York City. He has contributed to New York magazine, Radar, and Esquire.com.
Stars Celebrate the Super Bowl
The Daily Beast is dedicated to news and commentary, culture, and entertainment. We carefully curate the web’s most essential stories and bring you original must-reads from our talented contributors.
Run, Jenny, Run!
Kathleen Parker is a syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group and author of Save the Males.
'Mom, Dad—I Need $96K'
Kathleen Parker is a syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group and author of Save the Males.
The Passion of Mark Sanford
Kathleen Parker is a syndicated columnist with the Washington Post Writers Group and author of Save the Males.
apparently
The Obamas do have interesting style. They are hard not to like, but she still has to live down that hideous Narciso Rodriguez number she wore on election night.
madamemoine
The dress was not a wise choice for live television but it did photograph quite well... and she did know her dress would be front and center of every newspaper in the world. She probably picked it out of a look book and did not know how it looked through a camera lens...
hazebis
OK.... here we go..... I didn't even read this article because I do not want to be a hypocrite.... I think we are about to see these children's names everywhere we go. WRONG. Leave them alone. Let them be kids. Talk about mom and dad all the time IF YOU MUST..... but have some wisdom and let them adjust and enjoy this time. The press works people up into a frenzie.... these kids will have no chance of presenting themselves as normal kids when everybody is clamoring to be their best friend. STOP STOP STOP
jainthorne
Once again the media is far behind youth and trends.....uglydolls have been around and popular for several years. I know my daughters had them in 2006 and they weren't new then. Try to stay current...lol.
alisamleo
@jainthorne agreed...Uglydolls aren't some new trend...they've been a staple in our family for a while....come on, if old media is going to try its hand at new media, blogga's got to be one step ahead...
heywood
Gee, Kathleen, could you possibly be MORE BITCHY?
Mao pantsuits?
We'll see how long Michelle stays in her dresses when the photographers start trying to take pics up her skirt. Laura wore dresses too, remember? So did Hillary.
You're a real jerk, Kathleen. When you have to make fun of people in order to draw a contrast, you're either a shrew or a lousy writer-- or both.
southernyankee
I like Michelle's style. I still couldn't afford to spend $150 on a skirt or a blouse or even shoes. I wish I could afford to. Her style does look down to earth unlike seeing Mrs McCain's outfits. Her outfits were nice but she did look like a stepford wife.
sophia5
Way to be current Ms. AARP. Have you heard of the Cabbage Patch Doll? Were you the one telling us how shallow and vacuous Sarah Palin was? Now we get a provotive take on Sasha's toys. Way to go journalist.
desutton3
"After 16 years of pantsuits that screamed Mao..."
That is the funniest thing I have read in a long time!
kellymcb
Ugly Dolls were the hot stocking stuffer in Christmas of 2007. Most of the little girls I know got one back then. All they have to do is dig it out of their closet.
Mary50
I agree on taking the spotlight off these kids, but that starts with Obama himself, who continues to exploit his daughters by publishing letters to them and pictures of them going to school and everywhere else, that he has authorized. Does this guy have no shame?
SonicNinjaKitty
Yeah, we get it already--the girls are lovely, etc... It is a huge mistake to focus on the likability and style of Obama's family (and the inauguration entertainment circus) because it clouds our ability to clearly understand how his POLICIES are going to affect our nation. The MSM has turned into Entertainment Tonight. Who is left to give us the hard analysis of what is truly important? {crickets chirping}
ghettosavant
There is no more privacy. Who needs spies when everyone is twittering their moment-by-moment thoughts? If Obama is publicizing his girls, he's being smart. You either create your own public image or you have one created for you by default. And since when did shame have anything to do with America?
cheeky
jainthorne: I was thinking exactly what you said! Uglydolls have been around! haha, these reporter types just get me so tickled
splinter
Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn
Thank you.
As a first time user, your comment has been submitted for review. It can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or two for your comment to be reviewed, depending on the time of week and the volume of comments we receive.