Thursday
01Jan2009
"Someone's Got to Mention Clothes"
Thursday, January 1, 2009 at 8:39 PM 
Image used with kind permission from Robin Stone
That is a line from a poem by acclaimed novelist Elinor Lipman (Then She Found Me, The Inn at Lake Devine). She wrote it for a Writers for Obama fundraiser that was held in Northampton, Massachusetts on September 21, 2008. "There were multiple writers involved and the plan was for all of us to write something original to read at the event," says Ms. Lipman, whose ninth novel, The Family Man, will be published in May 2009.
From the beginning of her involvement with the fundraiser, she knew she would write about Mrs. O. "I love that she wears dresses. She has such fun with her wardrobe." As did Ms. Lipman in her witty poetic romp through Mrs. O's sartorial high moments in the campaign and anticipation of the upcoming Inaugural Night.
We appreciate that Ms. Lipman felt this would be the perfect place for her poem to be published. It seems fitting; after all, we do like to talk about clothes.
Michelle, As Well
by Elinor Lipman
I write this poem on matters slight
By which I mean, Inaugural Night.
My shallow values hence exposed,
But someone's got to mention clothes.
I'll take you back as I digress
To Iowa and that black dress.
A silver belt around her waist
Opponent's pantsuits in disgrace.
I viewed her garb and then I knew
She won't wear suits in royal blue.
Man-tailored jackets grow on trees,
And no more rhinestone flag pins, please.
She won't-nor will her dazzling girls-
Be seen in Barbara's two-strand pearls.
I love her plastic boutonnieres
We won't see Reagan-red for years.
The purple sleeveless dress: bravado
That V-neck teal in Colorado?
The fierce print at Invesco Field?
A Denver high, her shoes low-heeled.
The black and white seen on The View?
Back-ordered till the year is new.
Still, anchor people have to dwell
More on McCain than on Michelle.
But we who live by Project Runway
Crave panache inside the Beltway.
Support the arts (couture is one!)
A modern Jackie will be fun.
Michelle, our belle, icon long-sought
A ticket back to Camelot.
And better still, her strengths are mental,
The Best Dressed list is accidental.
Come January, let us pray
We hail Inauguration Day.
A snowy night, D.C. ablaze
The end of fashion's long malaise.
Her man, their waltz, a splendid gown
A masterpiece lights up the town.
Chiffon or silk in black or white,
Barack in tails...oh what a sight!
Reader Comments (16)
Adorable! I love it!
"And better still, her strengths are mental,
The Best Dressed list is accidental."
Best line!
Kristan
http://jbu.phuzzymath.net/
" A ticket back to Camelot"
I can hardly wait.
I think this website will lose its own value and will devalue Michelle's sense of fashion if you praise every dress she wears. Since MIchelle is human (just in case you missed that ;)) she is bound to make mistakes, so a balanced view on a) the dress itself and b) how it looks on Michelle, would make this a much valued sight now and down the road. If not, it will end up being a mushy Micheledom where Michele could do no wrong.
this is cute!!! lol
Well done, Ms. Lipman!
Loved the poem!
One of my all-time favorite authors! Yay, Elinor Lipman + Michelle Obama = happy morning.
I agree with Suji that not every outfit Mrs. O wears will look good on her. But I don't believe that's the purpose of this site. What looks good or any "mistakes" will be in the eyes of the beholder. I personally dislike the acceptance speech (Denver) dress. I don't believe at her age she would wear anything which ties in the back along with the flat shoes for the occasion. That is the one outfit I've not grown to appreciate. I've loved or liked all her other outfits (many not listed on the site). Also, since I love pins/brooches, am inspired to wear them in new ways.
This gracious woman has not even hung up her cloths in the White House Residence yet. I sincerely wish her good luck, so much that I performed a song for her at www.youtube.com/obamasong2008 She will do fine as a first lady, but please remember she is an attorney, and no one will take it easy on her. It is nice for you to cover her cloths and I wish you well with it. Good Luck from bigmikecraft
That poem was cute. And I hope this sight continues to CELEBRATE Mrs. O's style, as opposed to join the many other websites and news organizations which will be breaking her down and criticizing her every move and outfit. I noticed that this site does not celebrate everything she wears, instead, you pick the outfits that make her look good, as well as outfits that are fashionable and in style. I think this website's approach is perfect.
What a delightfully witty poem and so appropos for your delightfully upbeat, informative site! Thank you for the story.
I love this post - how charming.
Ms. Lipman read my mind.
I too am looking close to see what's new, she will surely lead
the way for us girl's and women of all of society. Her lead is
also a mark in the history of women and the blend of American's
everywhere. Thank you Michelle your our queen now, we love you.
As a Mrs.O fan, can I just say how much I enjoyed that poem.
As most women, I love shoes especially heels so I hope she'll start wearing them now that she wont be on the campaign trail.
Dear Mrs. Obama:
I am writing this letter to let you know how proud I am to
witness such a very important commission of Our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
It has been a long time for we have all been on the Mountain
top and couldn't push through but, the Lord said this time
we are going through and we did.
For it is time for all of us to step out on Faith and do
whatever we can to see that all men are created equally
and that we must be able to speak boldness in the name of
Jesus Christ & On the day of the swearing-in ceremony I could not contain myself for it was such a joy to know that
we have overcome and that Joy Like A River attented my cry
for no one could imagine this day coming forward.
You and the President of the United tates of America are one and will always remain as one.
I love you and I know that the Lord is watching over you .
Love, Alice
Elinor, no wonder I love your novels!
your poem leaves no room for grievance, thanks to your succinct style and thrift of prose.