A CALL TO (BARE) ARMS

Just a few weeks ago, Michelle Obama was the fashion industry's darling for bringing much-needed style to the White House; even drawing comparisons to Jackie Kennedy for her wardrobe choices. Now, Obama has fallen out of favor with fashion critics because she has been (gasp) showing her arms.

That's right, Michelle Obama's sculpted arms are causing a fashion uproar.

In her first official White House photograph, Obama wears a sleeveless black Michael Kors dress with a strand of pearls. The dress has been criticized for being too informal and out-of-season.

Readers even complained to the Chicago Tribune, Obama's hometown newspaper.

Chicago Tribune fashion reporter Wendy Donahue said, "Most of the complaints centered on the dress conveying a sense of informality on a serious occasion."

White House reporter Malika Henderson defended Obama, saying her clothes are a reflection of herself. "Her kind of philosophy of fashion is that women should wear what they are comfortable in," Henderson said.

Obama has said she works out 90 minutes three times a week with a personal trainer.

She seems to know what her best features are.

If you can have arms like that in spite of a busy life - first lady, wife, mother of two - you should be able to show them off proudly. It's not as if she's showing too much cleavage or wearing a micro-mini. The dress is elegant, tasteful and stylish.

And doesn't the Second Amendment protect the right to bear arms?

Do you think Obama's sleeveless dresses are appropriate or not? Call me at (813) 259-7656 or e-mail me at ccabrera@tampatrib.com.

CHARITABLE FASHIONS

Two fashion shows are offering a sneak peek at some of the hottest looks for spring while raising money for a worthy cause.

The sixth annual Fashion Funds a Cure benefit for the Pediatric Cancer Foundation will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday at Saks Fifth Avenue in West Shore Plaza. Saks will close for the private evening of shopping, dining and a fashion show featuring the latest spring styles.

Tickets are $100. For information, call the Pediatric Cancer Foundation at (813) 269-0955 or log on to www.fastestcure.org.

At Neiman Marcus on Wednesday, you can get a peek at the hottest spring trends during Dressing to the Nines, a fashion show benefitting the MacDonald Training Center. The event gets under way at 11:30 am. Tickets are $25. Call Rita Hattab at (813) 870-1300, ext. 252.