Sasha & Malia Obama fashion: kids are a no-go zone when it comes to bagging their clothes

SASHA and Malia Obama were bagged for their fashion sense by political opponent Elizabeth Lauten but having a go at teen fashion is just low, writes Melissa Hoyer.

TEENS are allowed to be teenagers . . even if they are the daughters of the president of the United States.

In what was a low blow, the communications director for a Republican member of Congress has eaten her words after bagging the demeanour and dress sense of both Malia and Sasha Obama.

In her pathetic and not-at-all veiled attempt to diss the president, Elizabeth Lauten chose to comment and consequently diss the clothes both girls wore to, get this, a Turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House.

I mean we are not talking a ball, a graduation, a swearing-in or a mega-glam political event but the ‘pardoning’ of a couple of birds that didn’t get to call a Thanksgiving table ‘home’.

The clever Obama gals probably thought the whole concept is as kooky as many of us do.

As the relaxed-attired girls looked on — probably with boredom — the president went on to pardon the two turkeys named Mac and Cheese. I kid you not.

Elizabeth Lauten criticised President Barack Obama’s teenage daughters in a Facebook post that touched the nerve of America.

“Try showing a little class,” Ms Lauten posted.

“Rise to the occasion. Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at the bar,” Lauten wrote. “And certainly don’t make faces during televised, public events.”

The kids are all right: First lady Michelle Obama follows her daughters Malia and Sasha to welcome the Official White House Christmas tree. Pic: AP Photo/Susan Walsh

Not containing her condemnation for the young girls, Ms Lauten also managed a dig at the president and First Lady: “your mother and father don’t respect their positions very much, or the nation for that matter, so I’m guessing you’re coming up a little short in the ‘good role model’ department,’’ the post went on.

How just plain silly, stupid and juvenile is that? Is Ms Lauten the self-anointed US etiquette queen or fashion cop?

When it comes to kids — and kids whose choice it HAS NOT BEEN to be in the public eye — bagging what they wear is TOTALLY off limits.

Sure, social media feeds are FULL of spew and bile that is directed at any number of fashion bloggers, celebs and stars, usually bagging them for being too-thin/fat/boring/tacky/old/daggy et al.

Fashion judgment should not be handed down to young girls or boys who have had NO choice in being in a ‘public’ position. Same goes for having a fashion ‘go’ at the kids of celebs and public figures. It’s just not on.

Sure, those who put themselves in the public eye (and there’s a whole lot of them these days) know that sartorial scrutiny comes with the turf.

People who flog their bodies (and their wares) on social media; who twirl down a red carpet; who attend openings and closings and even run countries know that judgment is part and parcel of public life.

Happy troika: First Lady Michelle Obama with Malia and Sasha in China earlier this year Pic: Feng Li/Getty Images

And that scrutiny — thanks to the pace of social media, ongoing ‘Fashion Police’ panels and the way we lap up best and worst dressed lists — will not be stopping any time soon.

According to The Washington Post, the good news is that Ms Lauten did eventually apologise to the girls.

“I quickly judged the two young ladies in a way that I would never have wanted to be judged myself as a teenager,” she wrote.

“After many hours of prayer, talking to my parents, and re-reading my words online I can see more clearly just how hurtful my words were ... I pledge to learn and grow (and I assure you I have) from this experience.”

Unfortunately, using ‘God’ and ‘prayer’ seems very one-dimensional now, but maybe Ms Lauten (and many others of her ilk) may think before they spew forth next time.

Follow Melissa on Twitter and Intagram @melissahoyer