Michelle Obama’s Outfit Makes More Than Just a Fashion Statement

In India, Michelle Obama was praised for wearing clothing from a native designer and wearing appropriate outfits for each event she attended from floral jackets to modestly cut tea dresses. But upon arriving in Saudi Arabia, the First Lady wasn’t met with the same reception.

Stepping off of Air Force One in a royal blue patterned Diane von Furstenberg coat from her Spring 2015 collection paired wide-leg black pants and royal blue blouse, some people were disappointed with the fact that she didn’t accessorize with a headscarf, as is the local custom for women. Reportedly on Saudi Twitter, used hashtags that translate to #Michelle_Obama_Immodest and #Michelle_Obama_Not_Veiled were used by citizens to vent their indignation.

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Along with her husband, President Obama, the couple is in Saudi Arabia to attend King Abdullah’s funeral. While the late leader was a key ally to the United States in terms of international affairs such as OPEC and fighting against ISIS, practices enforced within his own state do not align with those in the Western world. There are bans on women working, voting, driving, and even going out unaccompanied in public without a male relative. Additionally, there are modestly laws that mean women also can’t leave their homes without covering their heads and faces.

Various other prominent figures have been met with similar outcry when not conforming to a visiting country’s customs. Rihanna was kicked out of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi for posing for photos that were considered provocative by the holy site’s standards. Jay-Z performed in Abu Dhabi and didn’t bleep curse words from his lyrics, even though swearing is illegal according to Sharia law.

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But the First Lady not conforming to Saudi Arabia’s regulations wasn’t necessarily an act of ignorance, as the latter celebrities seemed to display, but rather an act of defiance. By showing up to Abdullah’s funeral she’s still performing her duties as a world leader, but by wearing colors and not head-to-toe black as well as keeping her hair uncovered — even just displaying some small glimpses of skin — she’s making a subtle statement about worldwide women’s rights, whether it was intentional or not. Fashion has a surprising amount of power to start conversations and inspire change.