She wore a simple shift for her White House portrait, with - shock, horror - no sleeves and it caused a furore.

If that was her desired outcome, she's one smart cookie. It certainly did the job. In the midst of dire financial gloom and doom, the distraction of a discussion about etiquette must have provided blessed relief for the Obama administration.

Was it really such a big deal that the First Lady exposed her arms for her first official portrait? Fashion experts would have us believe it was inappropriate, but the more I think about it, the more I think Mrs Obama knew exactly what she was doing.