Read this: Michelle O's clothes, traffic camera woes

Left to right: Michelle Obama wore Moschino to her husband's health care address in September; to a Cinco de Mayo celebration at the White House in May; and during a visit to the Vatican in July. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak; AP Photo/Gerald Herbert; AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia)

Good afternoon, everyone. We wonder what Michelle Obama is wearing today. Something simple, from J. Crew? Or perhaps something fancier -- from Moschino?

Robin Givhan says the first lady's penchant for this Italian design house makes sense (it's unique and fashionable, just like she is), but it's puzzling that it hasn't attracted much attention. After all, this is the same country whose apparel unions raised hell when Jackie Kennedy showed a proclivity for French clothing back in the '60s. Writes Givhan:

For all the public hyperventilation over Obama's favored young American brands, from Jason Wu and Thakoon to the modestly priced J. Crew, the first lady's affection for Moschino has gone, not unnoticed, but unremarked upon, which is remarkable in light of a recent history that has included such isolationist symbolism as "freedom fries." But as a sign of the times -- in this age of global corporate calamity -- "made in America" now engenders a more complicated, more nuanced response.

Moschino is a perfect example. "Most of the items [Obama] has worn were done by my first assistant designer, who is from Chicago. . . . Just the fact that Bill is from Chicago gives a kind of 'P.C.' justification that Mrs. Obama is wearing the clothing," [Moscino designer Rossella Jardini] says. Adding: "We have designers from all over the world, but often American designers design a certain kind of clear and modern silhouette."

Elsewhere in today's Style section: Residents of three American towns hate traffic enforcement cameras so much, they voted to rip 'em down. Alex Rodriguez should re-think those snot rockets, it being H1N1 season and all. And here's another article about how we will all be reading e-books soon, even if we hate the idea.

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