Men, especially, but people in general, sneer about the interest shown in Michelle Obama’s clothes which reminded me of something I learned in college.

 

During one of the ongoing outbreaks of violence between the Orange and the Green in Ireland, the British outlawed the wearing of capes. Irish not only wore capes, but they felt their identity so tied to them that while forced to comply with the letter of the law, they resorted to wearing coats slung over their backs, sleeves dangling, in defiance.

 

Military men around the world take special pride in their uniforms. Adding a patch increases their status. Teenagers, most noticeably, but groups in general, adapt their clothes to what their comrades are wearing. Identity, status, self-esteem are the most obvious information that we get from clothes.

 

Men wear specific clothes to identify themselves. Blue jeans, khakis, tee shirts, shirt sleeves, suit coats, hoodies, white socks, pocket protectors. A lot of clothing even has writing on it just in case you miss the wearers’ more subtle points. Remember the furor last year when sleeveless undershirts were dubbed ‘wife beaters’? I recently saw a camouflage-print neck tie. What do you think that says about the wearer?

 

President Obama’s clothes reflect standard leader garb as well as being appropriate for the task he is doing at the moment.  Neck tie for press conferences, white bow tie for State dinners, and shirt sleeves for photo ops. You can tell instantly what message he wants to convey based on his wardrobe.

 

Now about our First Lady. She could wear anything in the world that she wanted, but she chooses mostly department store clothes. Clothes that look like any American might wear to any occasion. Of course we are intrigued. Instead of dressing like a runway model-wannabe, she dresses like other working American women. How could we not look at her with pride and think how well she represents America?

 

Just like the Irish cape, what Michelle Obama wears tells the world who America is.