Michelle Obama wore a nearly $3,000 designer pantsuit to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago while sharing memories of her parents’ cautious approach toward wealth.
The former first lady began her DNC speech by reflecting on her recent visit to her hometown of Chicago, where she memorialized her mother. She described her mother as a woman “who showed me the meaning of hard work and humility and decency” and “who set my moral compass high and showed me the power of my own voice.”
In a statement that raised eyebrows, Michelle Obama shared that her parents “didn’t aspire to be wealthy. In fact, they were suspicious of folks who took more than they needed.” She continued, “They understood that it wasn’t enough for their kids to thrive if everyone else around us was drowning. So my mother volunteered at the local school.”
Ironically, Michelle Obama made these remarks while wearing a sleek black pantsuit, designed by New York fashion house Monse, valued at $2,580. The ensemble included a $1,690 blazer and $890 trousers, both of which are available for pre-order online. The fashion house advertised the outfit as seen on Michelle Obama at the DNC, with an estimated ship date just days after the election.
The New York Times highlighted the significance of Michelle Obama’s outfit, describing it as a “sleeveless recreation of the traditional pantsuit” that was both “forward” and reflective of the former first lady’s message at the DNC. The Times also praised Monse, a “small, independent label founded by Fernando Garcia, a Dominican-raised New York designer, and Laura Kim, an Asian American,” noting that the brand aligns with Michelle Obama’s history of supporting lesser-known businesses and diverse designers.
The article lauded her stylist, Meredith Koop, for choosing Monse over more established brands, in line with Mrs. Obama’s efforts to highlight the stories of entrepreneurship, diversity, and the American dream.
The Times described her outfit as “a dark navy sleeveless jacket belted over cropped trousers” with lapels “de- and reconstructed to cross over the throat in an almost militaristic way,” and shoulders that “jutted out to frame the biceps.” The article suggested that her attire symbolized her readiness for the fight ahead and her call to action to get out the vote.
However, critics, including the Trump campaign, pointed out the contrast between her comments and her lifestyle. With an estimated net worth of $70 million, the Obamas own luxury properties in Chicago, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. Some observers noted the irony of Michelle Obama emphasizing her parents’ skepticism of wealth while omitting her current financial status.
“Getting really tired of multi-millionaires preaching about the evils of money and greed,” one Twitter user remarked, reflecting a sentiment shared by others who viewed her comments as out of touch with her reality.
