EMBRACING THE BOLD

I knew our readers cared about Michelle Obama's fashion sense, but I had no idea how much.

I recently asked readers if the sleeveless Michael Kors dress Obama wore for her official White House portrait was an appropriate look for the first lady.

More than 100 of you called and e-mailed your thoughts. The majority, myself included, think Obama's got a nice set of biceps and shows them off beautifully.

Obama's picture "is truly, truly inspiring," said Agnus Rodriguez, 50, of Tampa. "She looks graceful and she looks charming. It's totally appropriate."

Pamela Robinson wrote: "Michelle Obama is a beautiful woman and has a wonderful sense of style. Her official White House portrait is who she is."

"She's got beautiful arms," said Barbara Threshier, 86, of Tampa. "She looks elegant and lovely."

Judith Centore, a 68-year-old grandmother from Valrico, agreed. "She really reflects the times. She looks like a modern woman."

One anonymous caller wrote: "She inspires women around the world to get fit. I admire her boldness, her courage and her fashion statements. Haters, take a back seat; you are now in the minority."

"I applaud her for having arms like that and being able to show them off," said Jeannette of Tampa. "More power to her."

Nellie Brinson summed it up this way: "The first lady is dressing according to her generation. Keep in mind, some of the previous first ladies were from an older generation and, rightly so, the style of dress was more conservative. Obama has appeared in this style throughout the campaign. Why should she change her style of dress now?"

And if you thought men didn't care about all that, think again. Here's what Buck Skogan of South Tampa had to say about it.

"It states she works out," said Skogan, 74. "Her arms are toned and firm. ... When arms have freckled, dark brown spots and sagging tissue," you shouldn't go sleeveless, Skogan said and went on to name some of the more appropriate styles and fabrics in a very Tim Gunn sort of way. Trust me, Skogan knows fashion.

Despite all the love, there were several readers who thought Obama's sleeveless look was out of line for a White House photo. Particularly because she was wearing the dress in the winter.

Edie Kline of Tampa said, "I've seen a lot of presidents' wives, but this one is over the top. She should really observe the dignity of the office and get a new designer. A sleeveless look is really for the birds for a lady in her position."

Lillie Mae Sturkes of Tampa also gave Obama's dress a thumbs-down.

"This picture, for the official portrait, should have had a shoulder sleeve. I just don't think it's fitting for the official White House portrait. It needed to come down a bit more from the shoulder."

Carole Rink wrote, "Sleeveless dresses in Washington, D.C., in the winter time is silly. Offering your arm for a handshake with your armpits showing - sculpted or not - is distasteful."

"Obviously, the thermostat setting in the White House isn't the suggested 68 degrees that the power companies suggest," Betsy Hammond wrote.

Mary Qualls Cushing wrote: "I voted for Obama, and I think she is a very attractive woman. ... I'm tired of always seeing 'The Arms.' I would have voted for her wearing sleeves in her formal White House picture."

Social secretary Desiree Rogers recently defended the first lady's decision to go sleeveless, telling the Washington Post that her feeling is "if I want to wear no sleeves ... that's what I'm going to do."

The fashion world seems to agree with Obama's choices. The Council of Fashion Designers of America plans to honor her with a special tribute from the group's board of directors at its annual awards gala in June.

It's safe to say we'll be hearing - and seeing - a lot more of Obama's toned and sculpted arms in the future.

Thank you all for taking the time to e-mail and call. You can read more comments about Michelle Obama's arms on my blog at TBO.com, Keyword: Hot Pursuits.

THE NEXT 'IT' BAG

Ever spotted a gorgeous handbag and thought, "I'd like to do something like that."

Now you can.

Handbag Designer 101 is looking for entries for its third annual Independent Handbag Designer Awards. And this year, they've added a shoe competition.

There are eight categories for handbag and shoe design excellence. As if bragging rights weren't enough, winners will receive a prize package that includes a Singer sewing machine and the opportunity to be featured on Singer's Web site, www.singerco.com, plus a booth at the WWD Magic trade show (a $10,000 value).

A panel of handbag design professors, experts, editors, stylists and buyers will judge the finalists' designs and select a winner from categories that include Best Student Made Handbag, Best Handmade Handbag, Most Socially Responsible Handbag, Best Green Handbag, Audience-Selected Handbag (based on finalists selected) and Best Handbag in Overall Style & Design. The best shoe in overall style and design also will be awarded.

For rules and entry information, go to www.handbagdesigner101.com and click on Handbag Awards.

But hurry, you only have until midnight April 15.