After watching the Netflix documentary ‘Becoming’, about the book tour by Michelle Obama to promote her memoirs by the same title, I felt like I was walking a little taller. I remembered a time when I didn’t need to apologize for my President all the time while traveling and when saying “I’m American” felt like saying “I’m a cool cowboy.” I’m proud of being American regardless. But now it is a bit more challenging to conjure up that pride.

The cowboy idea comes from Italian writer Oriana Fallaci, with whom I spent a couple of Christmases in Chianti thanks to the friendship she had formed with my mom. The first time around, it was right before my entire family nucleus moved to the US and Fallaci was trying to explain to me what I should envision when coming to America. She sat me in front of an old John Wayne movie and said “that’s it, think you’re a cowboy and act like one — you’ll fit right in!” She was serious, her own brand of serious but years later, when I watched President Obama’s stride up to the podium during a press conference, I realized what she meant. To me, he always embodied that idea of a cowboy, the man who can get anything done with a smile and a wink. And a whole lot of respect for women.

Of course, Michelle Obama is an idol. I think for most women she is someone to look up to and emulate. But she represents so much more than a style icon and a strong woman. She’s everything that is right with the world, intelligent, thoughtful and if you watch ‘Becoming’ on Netflix, you’ll realize how her kindness is infectious. She looks straight into the eyes of people who interact with her, making sure they know how important they are to her in that moment. 

I heard that J. Crew is going out of business or rather its parent company filed for bankruptcy. It’s no wonder, since their last couple of years have been a strange mix of ill-fitting clothes with not enough preppy and definitely not enough cool. To me J. Crew is and always will be the brand that Michelle Obama made hip, in the first of her two terms as First Lady. And now that our latest First Lady is all pricey, supertight couture, J. Crew has lost its edge. Sad, because I found so much I loved there and their quality and long-wearability is unequaled at their price range. My necklace is vintage J. Crew and I’ve continued to wear it for years and years. 

My t-shirt is a basic white from Zara. I own a few since white gets grungy but I can never own enough I tell you. A white t-shirt and jeans can be dressed up or down depending on your mood. Along with a black suit and a dress, it’s my suitcase’s contents when I travel.  

The ribbon around my head is Chanel. I love their style but not their price point. So, in order to feel that iconic Chanel chic, I buy eye make up or perfume in their shops. Not at Macy’s or Bloomies but in the Chanel store. That way, you walk out with the beautiful shopping bag and a gardenia plus Chanel ribbon tied around your purchase. Can’t beat that. AND it’s not like you’ll pay more for your purchase since we all know that perfume and make up from a specific brand cost the same in a department store as they do in a couture boutique. And they never go on sale. 

A few days ago, Barack Obama tweeted simply “Vote”. I urge you to do so every step of the way in this upcoming election. Our vote is our voice and sometimes we vote with our wallets, for our fashion and culture, other times with our political opinion. Don’t let this election be decided by your neighbor or relative who thinks so differently from you. Decide, vote, be American. Be like a cool cowboy.