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"Free to do whatever" - Michelle Obama wows the internet with her iridescent Balenciaga thigh high boots

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Former first lady Michelle Obama at Barclays Center
Former first lady Michelle Obama at Barclays Center

Michelle Obama took quite a leap from her usual understated sartorial choices and went full on Studio 54 in terms of her footwear when she sat down with Sarah Jessica Parker to discuss Becoming at the Barclay's Center on Wednesday. 

Dressed in head-to-toe Balenciaga - a canary yellow silk dress and sparkly thigh high boots, Obama told Sex & The City's SJP that with the White House days now behind her, "now I'm free to do whatever I want." 

Former first lady Michelle Obama discusses her book 'Becoming' with Sarah Jessica Parker at Barclays Center

The dress is from Balenciaga's Spring/Summer '19 collection and the boots Spring/Summer '18 both during Demna Gvasalia's game-changing tenure as the brand's creative director.:

Images: Getty

As someone who played a character that is no stranger to extravagant shoe purchases, Sarah Jessica Parker was just the right person to have this conversation with.

However, for Michelle, wearing $3 900 (just over R56 000) boots similar to those often spotted on Kardashians, was not about flaunting wealth nor a portrayal of excess. According to Vox.com, she simply wore them because she liked them.

“They were just really cute,” she explained. “I was like, ‘Those some nice boots!’”

READ MORE: Michelle Obama's deeply personal memoir is on its way and we can't wait to see what she'll reveal

Since the Obamas vacated the White House, Michelle has been noted to change her approach to fashion, going from typically lady-like and demure to slightly more daring but still tastefully and stylishly so. Pant suits, off-the-shoulder tops and even shorts are all part of this "girl" from the South Side's wardrobe now.

Michelle Obama's 2018 fashion hall of fame should therefore not be considered a sign of rebellion, but rather a meaningful fashion statement highlighting once again that women can present themselves as multifaceted beings through dress.

READ MORE: UCT Vice Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng shouldn't ruffle any feathers when she wears a plunging neckline or shows off a tattoo

This is particularly more significant for older women and women who hold certain respectable positions in politics, academia, medicine, law and even royalty, where their revered titles inadvertently stifle any room for self expression in the public eye. 

We're certainly looking forward to more major fashion moments from Michelle Obama as she continues her Becoming book tour in 2019.

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