J.Crew Retires Michelle and Malia Obama’s Inauguration Outfits

The retailer won't sell the outfits anymore out of respect for the First Family

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The most coveted fashions from Monday’s inauguration were also some of the most affordable. But the J. Crew pieces worn by Michelle and Malia Obama will no longer be available for purchase.

On Today, Jenna Lyons, executive creative director of the retailer, told Matt Lauer that J. Crew plans to retire the First Lady’s sparkly sash-turned-belt and First Daughter Malia’s plum coat.

“The lady day coat that Malia was wearing has been in our line for years, and we’ll continue that, but we’ll retire the color,” Lyons said. “We won’t do the color again, just out of respect for the First Family.”

The same goes for Michelle’s rhinestone belt, which Lyons pointed out is actually a sash. Lyons said J.Crew wants to let the First Lady “have that moment.”

“We won’t rerun that,” she said.

Because Michelle often wears pieces from previous seasons, Lyons explained, customers looking for the items they see her wear find they’re often not available. But the $265 sash worn by Michelle Obama, which had been featured on J.Crew’s website over an ivory gown, was sold out by Monday night.

The First Lady is a well-known fan of the label, and in the past, her appearances in their garments have created media and business buzz. In 2009, her green leather J.Crew gloves caused a sensation, crashing the retailer’s website. When she wore multiple J.Crew pieces in her 2009 Vogue photoshoot, the retailer dissected her “first look” on their website, marketing the cashmere cardigan, satin cami and tweed pencil skirt to customers as what “our first lady” wore.

Malia and Sasha wore colorful J.Crew coats at their dad’s first inauguration. While Malia stayed with the brand this Inauguration, Sasha stepped out in a purple Kate Spade coat. No word on whether her outfit will soon be off the racks too.

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