Already a member?
Welcome to Brazen Careerist!
Emily Ma is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Emily Ma and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
Brazen careerist
Where ambitious young professionals connect and grow
Email
Print
It's hard not to like Michelle Obama. Not only is she a self-made, intelligent woman (don't forget that she was Barack's boss at one point), but she's also a beacon of beauty and elegance. She reminds me of a modern day Jackie-O, though I'm hardly the first person to make the comparison.
What brought on this sudden surge of Michelle-love? There has been quite a bit of talk regarding Mrs. Obama's fashion choices over the last few weeks. Namely, her love of sleeveless dresses and super-toned yet un-Madonna-like arms. Apparently, when the 24-hour news channels tire of picking over the economic tsunami and there aren't any high speed car chases in Texas to cover, pundits take pleasure in ballyhooing what Michelle Obama is like, oh my God, wearing.
Self-styled fashion and body language experts have been falling over themselves in trying to figure out just what Michelle is secretly communicating via cocktail dress. Pulitzer Prize-winning fashion reporter Robin Givhan said in the New Yorker that "The arms imply vanity and power: two things that make many women uncomfortable and yet are fundamental to self-confidence." True, I think Michelle emanates power. And perhaps a normal dose of vanity. But honestly, I just think she just wants to look good-- she's not trying to send any kind of message to the young women of America, through her clothes anyway. In every other way, perhaps.
It's hard not to feel a swell of pride when you think, "Yeah, that's MY first lady." Michelle speaks for women of my generation; ambitious members of the work force who at the same time aspire to traditional family roles-- all while maintaining a trim figure and a stylish wardrobe. Such a thing is seen as commonplace by girls of my age, though as recently as 20 years ago a working mother was somewhat of a rarity. Perhaps we take this fact for granted. Michelle Obama is, for young women like myself, the image of female achievement in the new millennium. She is testament to the notion that fulfillment at work and in the home don't have to be at odds. Perhaps that's what people see in her sleeveless dresses.
I found this gallery of the first lady's style at the LA Times. Message or not, those arms are amazing.
For more timely, relevant, and engaging articles,
subscribe to Brazen Careerist.
- How To Find a Writing Partner Who Can Help You Achieve Your Goals and Make More Money
- Continuing Education: Extending Learning Beyond Your Campus Years
- The Anti-Stalker’s Guide for Converting Online Contact into Real World Collaboration
- A New Kind of Business Mover and Shaker
- Why You Might Be Better Off Without a Job After College
Comments
03.10.09
I LOVE Michelle Obama. I love her and perhaps others will agree with me on this, because I sort of see a part of me in her, and really hope that I could aspire to become more like her.
She is sarcastic and sometimes deprecating to herself and her husband. She is brave, I can tell, and has her priorities straight, that's important.
She is fundamentally confident about who she is, and not just who she is in a simple "I'm proud be Black" and "I'm proud to be a woman" way. She knows herself well in a complex manner, and through that, she is able to be confident enough to really understand someone else, who might be totally different. And I love that, it makes me happy to know my First Lady is not all career driven, but not a stay-at-home mom either. She is who she is, and she is not going to define herself according to any society standards.
03.11.09
Dude, I totally dig Michelle O and I have a mancrush on Barack. They're the coolest couple.
03.11.09
I love Michelle. She is the best possible role model. Ever.
11.20.10
I am so glad that I have found this your article because I have been searching for some information about various recipes from pig meat almost an hour. You helped me a lot indeed and reading this your entry I have found many new and useful information about this question. Well, I will definitely bookmark your website and wait for other useful and detailed posts like this one in the future. Gatwick parking
Got Something To Say?
Got Something To Say?
Not a Member? Brazen Careerist is a career management tool for next-generation professionals. Set up a free account today to comment on this post and start sharing your ideas. Learn more.
Login to view your networks!
 |
 |
 |
|
|
