Even a week after First Lady Michelle Obama visited the Grand Canyon, the nation is still abuzz about her fashion faux pas - shorts. As a native Arizonan, I can tell you it is HOT this time of year, even in Northern Arizona, with daytime temperatures in the low 100's, so she was definitely dressed for success when she embarked on a tour of the canyon with her family - President Barack Obama and daughters Sasha and Maila.

First, a link to an news article with a photograph of Michelle in the 'offending' outfit:

http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/08/18/2034169.aspx

Ok, I think her shorts are of a decent length; I mean it's not like she wore something like THIS:

And she IS on vacation and it WAS outdoors. In the middle of Summer. I think people just think they have a problem with the shorts, when they really have a problem with the casual look and feel of her outfit. Since she is the First Lady, I guess people were expecting her to look like a cross between Jackie Kennedy in her camelot days and Princess Di. Instead, she looked casual, relaxed and unpretentious - In other words, like us.

Maybe if she had worn her hair in that nice bob instead of just pinned on top of her head in a bun. Or maybe a small, jaunty scarf if she didn't feel like doing her hair. I mean, I don't even go to the store with my hair just pinned in a bun, even on my busiest days. And maybe she should have had her shirt buttoned, or at least tied around her waist in a chic way, or worn a different shirt altogether - maybe a crisp white top with a tiny ruffle or two, or a nice powder blue oxford shirt.

Yes, she is on vacation but she is also married to President Barack Obama and as such, is going to be sought after by the public, and followed around by photographers, so perhaps kicking it up a wee notch would have been in order. You can still be comfortable in the Arizona heat and be fashionable. Her fashion coordinators flubbed this one, big time.

So what shorts SHOULD fashion-concious women wear?

Well, how about these smokin' hot yet elegant shorts worn by Lana Turner in "The Postman Always Rings Twice"?

Or maybe this edgy ensemble just to show she is as hip and with-it as her husband, President Barack Obama?:

Nah - too hot. Maybe a nice pair of culottes would have worked, if the length of her shorts was the problem:

Or maybe she should have just eschewed shorts altogether and worn a kicky, fresh little sundress and a comfy pair of sandals. You can get away with showing a lot of skin and bare legs, even if you are the First Lady, if you wear something a tad couture: