The White House Denies Italian-Based VBH's Boast that First Lady Michelle Obama Carried Their $5,950 Clutch Purse

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Here we go again. First Lady Michelle Obama is being raked through the mud for carrying an expensive purse. According to the NY Daily News, during President Obama's meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and his wife Svetlana, Michelle Obama sported a shiny shiny black clutch, reportedly Italian luxury house VBH's black alligator manila bag, which has a a retail sticker price of $5,950. This comes on the heels of the dust-up in April when she wore a pair of $540 Lanvin sneakers at a Washington food bank.

The argument is that since Mrs. Obama has impressed many with her chic, affordable style sense, embracing "Everywoman brands" like Gap and J. Crew and Pottery Barn for furniture, this seems a bit excessive. The White House has flatly denied that Obama bought such a high-priced accessory, and said that she was carrying a patent clutch that retails for $875. So, the media just had to do some more digging. Kelly Vitko, a spokesperson for VBH said that the bag was definitely from their collection. There was absolutely no reason for the White House to lie about the price of the bag.

As I said when Mrs. Obama wore those expensive sneakers, the family was wealthy when they moved into the White House and they can easily afford the price of the bag. Who cares? I am sure Laura Bush, Hillary Clinton and Barbara Bush didn't wear cheap clothes when they were First Ladies. What's the big deal? To my readers, what are your thoughts on this latest furor over Mrs. Obama's high-priced clutch purse? Is it much ado about nothing or are you upset?

First Lady Michelle Obama Steps Out in Lanvin $540 Sneakers, Creating Furor for Some as Recession Continues

First Lady Michelle Obama has taken casual to a haute new level with her trainers from French design house Lanvin. Even Matt Drudge has this prominently displayed on his website, The Drudge Report -- RECESSION WEAR: MICHELLE'S TENNIS SHOES COST $540? I think what is conveniently missing from the whining by some folks is that the Obamas are wealthy and can afford these shoes. What does Suze Orman wear? Keds? Better yet, what did Laura Bush wear when she was first lady? I am pretty sure she didn't shop at J. Crew. So this latest furor over Mrs. Obama's shoes is hogwash.

According to the NY Daily News, while volunteering Wednesday at a D.C. food bank, the First Lady sported her usual J.Crew cardigan, a pair of utilitarian Capri pants and, on her feet, the trainers that go for $540. These sneakers - suede, with grosgrain ribbon laces and metallic pink toe caps - are made by French design house Lanvin, one of fashion's hottest labels. They come in denim and satin versions, and have been a brisk seller all spring. (NY Daily News).

Obama was photographed shovelling dirt at a tree planting while wearing the line's chiffon tank, much to the chagrin of her critics. Other celebrity fans of Lanvin's sneakers include Ellen DeGeneres and Kanye West, who has blogged about his faves. Again, who cares? Personally, I think they are very overpriced. This will backfire because some people will go out to purchase these shoes. This is free publicity for Lanvins. The New York Daily News, Matt Drudge and all the other haters are making much ado about nothing.