Vivienne Westwood Slams Michelle Obama’s Style. Consider the source.

Most Americans and fashion editors go crazy for First Lady Michelle Obama’s fashion style.  Here at The Recessionista, we love the way she mixes couture, ready to wear and big box off the rack clothing styles.  Over the years Michelle has worn top designers, but she has also worn ASOS, Target, J Crew and H&M.  Many of us admire the way she reflects the tough economic times by using lower priced clothing and wearing clothes over and over again for her public appearance.   But not everyone loves Michelle Obama’s recessionista style.  Among the naysayers is British Designer Vivienne Westwood.

The 71 one year old Ms. Westwood told the New York Times that she thought Mrs. Obama’s style was “dreadful.”  “ Don’t talk about her. It’s dreadful what she wears,” said Ms. Westwood. “I don’t want to talk about it. Really, I can’t. She’s a very nice looking lady, but it’s a nonstarter regarding clothes that suit her. Jackie Kennedy was a different matter altogether. It just has to suit her and be something that makes a human being more glamorous. That’s what fashion is there for. It’s there to help, not just to make you look more conservative.”

Really? Is it dreadful to spotlight new and emerging American design talent and stay within a budget? Mrs. Obama is not Jackie Kennedy.  There is no millionaire like Joe Kennedy in the picture to pay for her wardrobe and buy her a fashionable wardrobe and jewelry from top fashion houses or one dedicated designer (as Oleg Cassini did for Jackie.)    But, I don’t think Mrs. Obama needs millions to look great and that is why I have always admired her fashion sense.   When you read Ms. Westwood’s learned opinion on style, you have to really consider the source here.  This is a designer who has pushed the fashion envelope for most of her career, producing edgy styles, not befitting a head of state’s wife.  Ms. Westwood defined punk rock fashion style in the 70’s. So I’m not surprised the patron saint of punk fashion doesn’t like Michelle Obama’s style.

Helena Bonham Carter at the Golden Globes in 2011 wearing Vivienne Westwood.

While I respect Ms.  Westwood, I have seen many fashion disasters from her on the Hollywood Red Carpet in recent years. Just have a look at some of Helena Bonham Carter’s red carpet styles by Ms. Westwood.  You know what they say about people who live in glass houses. Sure Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall has worn Ms. Westwood, but last time I checked, Camilla was no model of good fashion sense.  Most of the time I think she looks dreadful.

 Note: This blog post was published to the Internet using a NetZero hotspot.  Thanks to NetZero for providing Internet connectivity via a hotspot while I was traveling.   It’s a great way to save money while traveling.