That's $3,400 per wear! Michelle Obama wears controversial J Mendel jacket AGAIN despite backlash last year over its $6,800 price tag

  • The First Lady wore an embroidered cap-sleeved jacket from U.S. label J Mendel's resort 2013 collection

  • Political commentators took issue with the fact that the design 'cost more than the average American family makes in a month'


By Tamara Abraham

PUBLISHED: 14:47 EST, 16 December 2013 | UPDATED: 21:05 EST, 16 December 2013

Michelle Obama has once again stepped out in her $6,800 J Mendel jacket, despite fielding a backlash last time she wore the pricey garment.

The First Lady looked suitably festive as she joined her family yesterday for the taping of TNT's Christmas in Washington at the National Building Museum.

But the last time she wore the embellished garment, in July 2012 at a Buckingham Palace reception in London, political commentators took issue with the fact that she had spent so much on fashion while so many in the U.S. are suffering financially.

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Michelle Obama

High-end fashion statement: Michelle Obama wore a $6,800 J Mendel jacket yesterday, despite fielding a backlash last time she wore the garment. The First Lady was at the taping of TNT's Christmas in Washington

Michelle Obama

Distraction: Despite any impending controversy over Mrs Obama's outfit, the first family was in high holiday spirits at the charity event as some little Christmas elves entertained them with their mischievous antics

A post on the Gateway Pundit blog remarked that the design 'cost more than the average American family makes in a month ($4,284)'.

'She does this as Americans continue to suffer through a deep recession and record unemployment,' writer Jim Hoft said. 'Michelle feels your pain.'

 

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Regardless of the criticism, the ensemble was deemed a sartorial hit by style watchers, who had nothing but praise for the all-white look.

The jacket, which is almost armor-like in style, is embroidered in shimmering silver. The cap sleeves show off those famously toned arms, while the high neckline keeps the look demure.

Michelle Obama

First Lady chic: The jacket, which is almost armor-like in style, is embroidered in shimmering silver. The cap sleeves show off those famously toned arms, while the high neckline keeps the look demure

Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama

Styling it well: The lightweight fabric of the sharply-pleated skirt makes for a soft contrast, while the silver pumps add polish, and co-ordinate with the look perfectly

The lightweight fabric of the sharply-pleated skirt makes for a soft contrast, while the silver Manolo Blahnik pumps add polish, and co-ordinate with the look perfectly.

The repeat appearance of the J Mendel resort 2013 jacket yesterday gives it a cost-per-wear figure of $3,400. But if one were in the market for such an item, they would be out of luck - it no longer appears to be available to buy.

Despite any impending controversy over Mrs Obama's outfit, the first family was in high holiday spirits at the charity event as some little Christmas elves entertained them with their mischievous antics.

During a photo op, the President and his family were in stitches as young former patients from the Children's National Medical Center made hilarious faces at the camera.

It was a high point among many at the star-studded annual event, which was hosted this year by Hugh Jackman and featured performances by Sheryl Crow, Janelle Monae and the Backstreet Boys among others.

 

Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama

Controversy: The last time Mrs Obama wore the embellished garment, in July 2012 at a Buckingham Palace reception in London, political commentators took issue with the fact that she had spent so much while so many in the U.S. are suffering financially

Exclusive access: The jacket is currently available to pre-order at Moda Operandi, but given that it is from the resort 2013 collection, orders will not be dispatched to shoppers until at least October 10

Exclusive access: The jacket was originally available to pre-order at Moda Operandi, but if one were in the market for such an item today, they would be out of luck - it no longer appears to be on sale anywhere

Before the concert began, Obama, his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Sasha, 12, and Malia, 15, helped collect presents for patients at Children's National Medical Center in Washington. Mrs. Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, watched from nearby.

'I want to thank our host Hugh Jackman for keeping our safety in mind by leaving Wolverine's claws at home,' the president joked.

'It can't be easy to wrap presents with those things; good for carving up roast beast though,' Obama continued.

Sasha and Malia, fast becoming fashion forces in their own right, also stood out in monochrome hues last night.

Malia
Malia

Good fashion game: Malia (left) wore a cream asymmetric cable-knit sweater with a high-waisted tulle skirt, while Sasha (right) went for a black-and-white lace-print dress with patterned tights and silver Asos Oxfords

Malia wore a cream asymmetric cable-knit sweater with a high-waisted tulle skirt, co-ordinating with her mother, while Sasha went for a black-and-white lace-print dress with patterned tights and silver Asos cut-out Oxfords.

Other performers at the concert included actress Anna Kendrick and Pat Monahan, the singer from the band Train.

Retired NBA star Charles Barkley also was on hand to talk about programs at Children's National.

The show will air Friday, December 20 on TNT.

 


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Oh so what! They earn more money than normal people and have worked hard to get to where they are! And to all you yanks moaning....are you all secret communists, should their wealth be shared? What about the famous "American Dream"?

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I'd say its good she's wearing it again, if she'd only worn it once it would have been worse.

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She's gotta walk the walk now that she's talked the talk. You don't want the people representing your country to be wearing things from Old Navy do you???

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Why is it people winge when an individual wears something a little expensive? let her enjoy it. I could never afford something like that but I don't have a problem with it. So to all the wingers SHUT UP!!!

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Marie Antoinette principals.

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Sorry for the double post - I was having password problems. Please excuse my error.

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It wasn't flattering the first time she wore it - nothing has changed! The sleeves are difficult to look good in - no matter how toned you are - I Feel the outfit does her no justice

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She can wear what she wants - even if it is not doing her any justice. it wasn't becoming the first time she wore it - it hasn't got any better. Those sleeves are tough to pull off as a fashion statement.

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She got that job at the hospital as a perk...it was basically a no show job..and her job was to make sure that the poor were shunted off to less desirable hospitals in the area. and when she left..that "job" was eliminated.And they were not rich..when he spoke at the 2004 DNConvention, he tried to rent a car and his cc was refused..over the limit..after he was elected..then the money flowed in...and when he is out of office..they will be mega rich..

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Rich people shouldn't have to apologize for their achievements.

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