The rules and etiquette requirements of being a royal are well-known. Still, the challenges of being part of the first family of the United States, particularly the first lady, are often overlooked—the Challenges of Being a First Lady. The rules and etiquette requirements of being a royal are well-known. Still, the challenges of being part of the first family of the United States, particularly the first lady, are often overlooked. The rules and etiquette requirements of being a royal are well-known. Still, the challenges of being part of the first family of the United States, particularly the first lady, are often overlooked. The New York Times reports that protocol profoundly influences what first ladies can and cannot wear. 

Michelle Obama discussed her First Lady style in her book Becoming (per Elle). She wrote, ‘I tried to be somewhat unpredictable, to prevent anyone from ascribing any sort of message to what I wore.’  However, a few times, she crossed that thin line, whether on purpose or by accident. Here are some of the most inappropriate outfits worn by Michelle Obama.

For instance, she wore $540 shoes to a food bank

There’s casual, and then there’s first lady simple. In May 2009, Michelle Obama volunteered at a food bank in Washington, D.C., wearing a J. Crew argyle cardigan, khaki capri trousers, and a pair of $540 Lanvin sneakers. The dark grey suede sneakers were topped with metallic pink toe caps and ribbon laces, making them stylish. They sold well during that spring season and were even favored by other celebrities like Kanye West and Ellen DeGeneres. However, what was the problem? 

Some people were angry that Michelle Obama wore fancy sneakers to a food bank as if she was flaunting her success and status. 

In her official White House portrait, she caused quite a stir by choosing to go sleeveless. The picture shows her standing beside a table in a sleek black shift dress and a classic pearl necklace. According to a report by ABC News, some criticized the First Lady for appearing too informal despite her stunning and elegant appearance. However, Politico White House reporter Malika Henderson noted that this is her signature look, so the criticism was unsurprising. It’s possible that the world was not yet ready for Michelle Obama’s unique arms, as she famously exposed them during her husband’s State of the Union address.

This was not the only occasion on which she went sleeveless. As per Time, Obama wore a sleeveless dress during the State of the Union address in 2016. The New York Times reported that she also wore sleeveless outfits on a Vogue cover, when discussing White House menus with the press, and even during her husband’s congressional address in his first year in office.

Michelle Obama wore a $2,290 Carolina Herrera dress in powder blue when she met Pope Francis outside of Washington, D.C., in September 2015. The dress was reported by the Daily Mail. The dress had a chic and demure cowl neck and a flattering waist tie belt. Malia and Sasha Obama, Michelle Obama’s daughters, were dressed stylishly in patterned graphic skirts and short-sleeved black blouses.

Michelle Obama’s choice to wear shorts to cool off in the summer heat caused controversy in August 2009, but it is a common practice for many people. Today, Mrs. Obama faced criticism for wearing grey shorts during a family vacation to the Grand Canyon. Although the shorts were not revealing (they reached her mid-thigh), some felt they were inappropriate for a first lady traveling on Air Force One. 

Additionally, Michelle Obama chose not to cover her head during a visit to Saudi Arabia.

The first lady is busy managing official state appearances in foreign countries. Michelle Obama faced a challenging task during her Time as first lady, as each country she visited had its own unique set of rules, customs, and preferences. Sometimes, a country’s official rules differ from its citizens’ choices. For example, during a visit to Saudi Arabia in January 2015, Obama faced criticism from some Saudi Arabians for not wearing a headscarf. On Twitter, people expressed anger towards Michelle Obama, suggesting that she should have stayed in Air Force One as a sign of a boycott instead of breaking the rules of another country. The hashtag #Michelle_Obama_NotVeiled was used