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Leave it to L.A. resident and Harvard graduate Malia Obama to provide a masterclass in off-duty chic. Yesterday, the former First Daughter (and emerging film director) stepped out on the West Coast in a look that epitomized casual, cool girl fashion.

Obama, who now goes by the professional name Malia Ann, was spotted making her way to an acting class on Thursday in a pair of low-rise, oversized denim that pooled loosely against her black puddle boots. Uptop she opted for a simple, but high-impact, layering trick. She wore a white Oxford shirt underneath another button down, this one in a mint pinstripe fabric. Street style is as much about the pieces you have on as it is about how you carry them. Here, with her half-buttoned top and utilitarian tote bag, Obama reiterated that sentiment through her handful of easygoing pieces.

As the daughter of the first social media president, theres a particular air of mystery surrounding the 25-year-old. She doesnt have any public social media presence and (understandably) rarely speaks to the press. Still, theres no denying the Gen Z influences in her latest look. Obamas chock-a-block full satchel is a downtown staple across coasts (as are extra large tote bags in general) while her model-worthy jeans look like they were just plucked from the Balenciaga runway.

Weve gotten glimpses of Obamas pared-back, fashion sense before. There have been cigarette breaks in between her classes at Harvard (she now holds a degree in Visual and Environmental Studies), sightings alongside her equally stylish sister Sasha, and solo outings in floral Boho skirts.

Back towards the beginning of this year, Obama made her red carpet debut during the Sundance Film Festival in support of her shirt film, The Heart, which premiered at the event. She sported a gray coat and plunging button down shirt that she paired with chunky brown boots and a Bella Hadid-approved accessory: the skinny, skinny scarf.

Theres definitely hints of menswear within Obamas style and her latest look, too. But theyre also just cool. Something youd definitely expect a budding director and a former First Daughter to traipse around town in.

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Malia Obama's Street Style Look Features a Cool Girl Styling Trick - W Magazine

Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton attend a campaign fundraising event in New York on March 28. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton attend a campaign fundraising event in New York on March 28.

Last week, Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton three Democratic presidents were all in one place to help Biden raise money for his reelection campaign.

This is not a campaign finance story, though. This is a look at fashion, because not one of these current or former commanders in chief was wearing what's typically a standard part of presidential outfits: a necktie.

This prompted several men's fashion watchers on the internet to declare the death (or at least the beginning of the end) of the tie. Because if presidents are not wearing them at fancy events in Midtown Manhattan, then who is?

To dig more into this critically important topic, All Things Considered host Scott Detrow spoke to fashion historian Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell about what is happening.

This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Scott Detrow: I was wondering what your first reaction was to the discourse or the pictures of this event.

Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell: Well, I wasn't really surprised to see this for a lot of reasons. People have been, of course, predicting the death of the tie for at least a hundred years. But it really picked up after the pandemic and everybody went back to work, back to the office the tie did not.

Detrow: Right. And like you said, this has been a long time coming. But is there something to the idea that there are far fewer ties in circulation than before?

Chrisman-Campbell: Absolutely. The sales of ties have been dropping for a long time. And I don't think they're ever going to go away, but it's not surprising to me that, especially at a Democratic fundraiser, which is a slightly more casual event than, say, a White House press conference, the tie-lessness was both a fashion statement and, I think, a subtle message to America.

Joe Biden with a tie delivers the State of the Union address on March 7. Shawn Thew/POOL/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Detrow: What does it say? Like, especially now that it's more optional in more formal and more work setting for men or people who wear ties what is the statement at this point of "I am putting on a tie" or "I'm not putting on a tie"?

Chrisman-Campbell: They really are reserved for the most formal events: for weddings, for graduations, job interviews, things like that. And they can actually work against a man in a less formal setting because they may come off as stuffy or pretentious. If you're the only one wearing a tie and everyone else is casual, that's a problem. And the opposite if everyone else is wearing ties and you're not, you're going to stand out.

Detrow: This kind of restarted a conversation that pops up every once in a while of are they even still relevant? Can you remind us what the original practicality was?

Chrisman-Campbell: Well, in the 17th century, men's shirts were tied with thin laces rather than buttons, so the tie or the cravat at the time actually helped keep the shirt collar closed, helped keep you warm. It had a practical function. But it very quickly became a marker of taste and respectability, social class, wealth, even sexuality and intellect, as in school ties. And it still functions in those ways, even though it's completely lost its practical value.

Detrow: When you look at the pictures of these three presidents, what do you think about the look of "I'm wearing a formal suit but not a tie because I want to look casual, even though I'm clearly a formal person in an important job"?

Chrisman-Campbell: Looking at those pictures, I was really fascinated by the different gradations of formality that we saw, particularly in the pictures of the presidents with the celebrity podcasters or some of the younger guests, because you still have a hierarchy there. There's the collared shirt versus the uncollared shirt. There's the matching jacket and pants versus the mismatched jacket and pants. There were dress shoes and tennis shoes. So there was still a generational divide there, and there was still sort of a formal hierarchy.

Excerpt from:
Obama, Biden and Clinton ditched ties at a fundraiser. Are ties out of fashion? - NPR

Michelle Obama, a long-time Beyonc fan and supporter, praised the musician's new country album "Cowboy Carter," while also calling for voters to use their power and vote.

The former first lady took to Instagram on Wednesday to shower Beyonc with praise, telling the Texas pop star, "You are a record-breaker and history-maker." She continued that "Cowboy Carter" has"changed the game once again by helping redefine a music genre and transform our culture.I am so proud of you!"

Moreover, Obama said the album is a "reminder that despite everything weve been through to be heard, seen, and recognized, we can still dance, sing, and be who we are unapologetically."

Outside of praising the singer, Obama used the post as a rallying call to appeal to voters, stating that "Cowboy Carter" reminds us that "we all have power. Theres power in our history, in our joy, and in our votes and we can each use our own gifts and talents to make our voices heard on the issues that matter most to us."

Obama urged voters to stand up for their beliefs, saying, "We must do that at the ballot box this year. The issues that impact us most are on the ballot across the country from equal pay and racial justice to reproductive healthcare and climate change."

She concluded with a voter registration link and stated that "Queen Bey says at the end of 'Ya Ya,' we need to 'keep the faith' and 'VOTE!'"

Link:
"We all have power:" Michelle Obama says Beyonc's "Cowboy Carter" reminds us of voting power - Salon

As President Joe Biden navigates shaky terrain with Black voters ahead of the 2024 presidential election, he may have at least one secret weapon on the campaign trail: former President Barack Obama.

President Obama continues to be an asset for Democrats, Joel Payne, a Democratic strategist, told theGrio. Fundraising [and] mobilizing Black voters is a place he can help.

[Obama] was a key part of the closing crew in 2020 [and] he was engaged in 22 in some key places, said Payne, referencing Obamas stumps throughout the final days of the 2020 presidential election, and the 2022 midterms. The election two years ago resulted in Democrats over-performing in contests against Republican candidates following the majority-conservative U.S. Supreme Courts overturning of Roe v. Wade.

Payne, who was a staffer with the 2008 presidential campaign of former Sen. John Edwards, Obamas opponent in the Democratic primary, remembers the effectiveness of Obamas campaign style and how much it resonated with Democratic voters. That same political savvy can be an asset to his former vice president, Payne believes, by holding together his coalition, particularly Black voters, the Democratic Partys most reliable and consistent voting bloc.

Americas first Black president, who maintained a solid approval rating when he left office in 2016, remains a popular political figure who draws turnout and enthusiasm among key groups important to the Biden coalition. That coalition, held together by Black voters and arguably architected by Obamas 2008 presidential campaign, sent Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris to the White House.

Obama could be an effective surrogate to energize and persuade Black voters amid steady polling that shows they remain unmoved by Bidens handling of the economy and outraged by his administrations response to Israels war in Gaza against the terrorist group Hamas that has so far killed more than 32,000 Palestinians.

Last week, Obama, along with former President Bill Clinton, joined Biden for a historic fundraiser that drew 5,000 attendees and raised a record $26 million. During a discussion with The Late Show host Stephen Colbert at New York Citys Radio City Music Hall, Obama made the case for why Biden is the best choice over presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump when it comes to the Middle East conflict.

The 44th U.S. president said he selected Biden as his vice president because of his moral conviction and clarity and willingness to acknowledge that the world is complicated. Obama said that while the death toll in Gaza is heartbreaking, there is room for nuance to say we unequivocally support the people of Israel and have our hearts broken watching innocent people being killed.

Hes exactly the kind of voice that can convey to Black folk: I know, you may not like everything thats happening, but I would rather trust our future with Biden, than the risk our future with Trump, Michael Blake, a former Obama campaign operative, told theGrio.

Reflecting on Obamas winning political trademark of hope and inspiration and how it could benefit Biden, Blake said that Obama is able to communicate a positive vision for the future in a hopeful manner. The CEO of the Kairos Democracy Project added, Running against a man whose entire approach is lets go backward, I would probably want to have a surrogate in President Obama whos talking about hope and moving forward.

Antjuan Seawright, a Democratic strategist and adviser to Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., a Biden confidant, told theGrio that Obama can serve as a validator and advocate for Joe Biden the man, as well as for what the Biden-Harris agenda means for not only this country but for the world and particularly the African-American community.

I think thats a clear contrast to the other side when he cant even get his own vice president to stand with him, said Seawright, in reference to former Vice President Mike Pence, who unsuccessfully ran against Trump in the Republican primary. Seawright noted that the electorate seems swayed by style over substance, seemingly referencing Trumps continued appeal to certain voters.

We dont dismiss that certainly, Obama brings style and substance, he said. Its gonna take everybody to help this Democratic Party.

Payne, who worked on former Sen. Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, noted that while Obama has used his star power to support the Biden agenda in the last few election cycles, it doesnt overshadow what President Biden needs to do.

I think he has some awareness of the challenges that President Biden is facing, he said, and also the fact that he does not need an ex-president not giving him the space to still develop his own political identity.

Payne predicts the Obama and Biden camps will be smart and measured about when they use him.

Blake, who served three terms as a New York state assemblyman and vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, said Black voters have to consider the future they want to see for America at a time when democracy and stability around the world are on the line.

As it relates to the Israel war in Gaza, which has particularly incensed young Black voters, Blake said Black people who care about whats happening in the Middle East will have toask themselves, Do you want a president who seeks to be a diplomat and actually resolve conflict, or do you want someone who says that he wants to be a dictator, and wants to create more conflict?'

There is no perfect candidate, he said. But I would rather put policy in the hands of Joe Biden than ever putting it in the hands again of Donald Trump.

During last weeks star-studded fundraiser, Obama made clear that the presidential election wont solely rest on the negative case against Trump, but also the positive case for Bidens outstanding job in the presidency. The former president listed the Biden-Harris administrations accomplishments, including record-breaking job growth, the lowest recorded unemployment for Black Americans, lowering health care costs, and historic climate-smart investments.

We also have a positive story to tell about the future, and that is something JoeBidenhas worked on diligently each and every day on behalf of working Americans, said Obama, and I expect him to continue to do that for the next four years and eight months.

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Obama could be Biden's secret weapon with Black voters - TheGrio

Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton clap for President Biden during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton clap for President Biden during a campaign fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday.

President Biden had an entourage of support from celebrities and former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama at a historic campaign fundraiser set to raise more than $25 million Thursday night, as Biden continues to aggressively campaign against former President Donald Trump.

The event at Radio City Music Hall in New York was meant to reinforce Biden's campaign finances and widen his voter outreach.

Biden already has a commanding lead over Trump in funding, especially as Trump and his groups are figuring out how to cover Trump's legal costs. But Biden and Democrats aren't holding back to increase that gap.

By mid-March, the Biden campaign and the Democratic National Committee amassed a combined $155 million cash on hand, while the Trump campaign and the Republican National Committee ended February with $44.85 million cash on hand. Since Super Tuesday, the Biden campaign has outspent the Trump team on pre-booked advertising by nearly four times.

"This historic raise is a show of strong enthusiasm for President Biden and Vice President Harris and a testament to the unprecedented fundraising machine we've built," said Biden-Harris 2024 campaign co-chair Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Obama and Clinton uniting forces behind Biden could help the incumbent weather the unique political challenges that his predecessors who both had higher approval ratings than Biden during their reelection campaigns did not have to face: the aftermath of a worldwide pandemic, the Jan. 6 insurrection, turmoil over abortion access and a growing protest vote campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

A star-studded cast also appear with the former presidents and Biden, including Mindy Kaling, who hosted, and Stephen Colbert, who moderated a conversation with the three presidents.

It was an opportunity for Biden to counter concerns about his age and polls that show a lack of enthusiasm.

But frustrations against Biden did flare up: Protesters interrupted the event multiple times, most to criticize Biden's handling of the war in Gaza.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for the "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" rally outside Radio City Music Hall while President Biden holds a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in New York on Thursday. Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators gather for the "Flood Manhattan for Gaza" rally outside Radio City Music Hall while President Biden holds a fundraiser for his reelection campaign in New York on Thursday.

The Trump campaign notes that Biden hasn't had to spend money fending off primary challengers, like Trump has. The Trump campaign also is just now getting access to the Republican National Committee support since officially securing the nomination.

"Our digital online fundraising continues to skyrocket, our major donor investments are climbing, and Democrats are running scared of the fundraising prowess of President Trump," said Trump campaign communications director Steven Cheung.

Another challenge for Trump, though, are his mounting legal fees, which his political action committee is spending money on.

Katzenberg took a swipe at that fact, and said Biden is focused on demonstrating his track record to voters.

"Unlike our opponent, every dollar we're raising is going to reach the voters who will decide this election communicating the President's historic record, his vision for the future and laying plain the stakes of this election."

The money race isn't anywhere near over. Trump and the Republican Party have a fundraiser next week that they say will overshadow Biden's event by raising at least $33 million.

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Barack Obama and Bill Clinton headline major Biden fundraiser in New York - NPR