Michelle Obama Caught on Tape Shopping 'Incognito' at Target (PHOTOS)
To the surprise of many admirers, first lady Michelle Obama was caught shopping at a local Target store in the nation's capital, away from the exclusivity of the White House, Wednesday, and wearing "ordinary clothes."
In an interview with ABC news in 2009, the First Lady said that one of the things she liked doing every once in a while is to "sneak out [from the White House] without telling anybody."
She proved a lady of her word as Mrs. Obama was caught Wednesday pushing a shopping cart at the Target department store on Route 1 in Alexandria, Virginia.
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"It is not uncommon for the First Lady to slip out to run an errand, eat at a local restaurant or otherwise enjoy the city outside the White House gates," said Kristina Schake, communications director for the first lady to CBS News.
Mrs. Obama was wearing a Nike baseball cap, sunglasses, and floral-print button-down shirt, with neon v-neck underlay.
Her look contrasted significantly with her appearance two days earlier, as she sported a sleek blue pencil skirt, high heels and a ruffled blouse.
The Associated Press reported that Secret Service agents, also dressed casually, arrived at the store 30 minutes before the first lady, who shopped with an assistant. Mrs. Obama reportedly spent 30-40 minutes shopping and was only recognized by her cashier, and apparently by the photographer who spotted her in line.
Despite possessing a fashion sense that would rival even the most clothes-conscious Hollywood starlet, the first lady has cultivated an image that is remarkably domestic and unassuming.
In that 2009 interview with ABC News, when asked how it felt to be the first lady, Obama said, "It feels just like probably being a mom. You know, being a worker."
The first lady has been seen wearing a dress from Target, which sells relatively low-cost clothing. She has also been seen wearing clothes from J. Crew and The Gap.
In the 2008 presidential campaign, she proudly proclaimed to Marie Claire that she was "more of a Target shopper."
The images of Michelle Obama shopping at Target were captured from a video report by NBC Washington, available for viewing on YouTube.
