When first lady Melania Trump and the president’s daughter, Ivanka, went to the Vatican on Wednesday to meet Pope Benedict, they dressed all in black and wore veils known as mantillas, traditionally worn by women as a sign of respect when meeting the pontiff.
But Michelle Obama showed no such respect when she visited a 12th century cathedral in Sienna, Tuscany, in Italy on Tuesday.
The former first lady wore a white, shoulder-baring blouse that the Daily Mail described as a “flirty strappy top.”
“Stylish: Michelle Obama looked especially glamorous as she stepped out in Sienna, Tuscany today wearing a flirty shoulder-baring top, paired with a high-waisted khaki-colored pants,” the Mail said.
But the cathedral’s website has a Q and A on its information page.
Q. What is the dress code for visiting the cathedral?
A. No bare shoulders and no skirts or shorts above the kneeSame as any other church in Italy, no bare shoulders and no skirts or shorts above the knee.
The website says “Siena’s cathedral is one of Italy’s greatest Gothic churches,” begun in 1196. Thousands of tourists flock to the building each year, taking pictures of the expansive square in front of the cathedral and its many exquisite marble sculptures.
Despite the Mail‘s giddiness over Michelle’s attire, readers of the story were not so forgiving.
“Could somebody please inform Michelle that she is not a 13 year old girl, and that she looks absolutely ridiculous? The falling-off clothes make her look deranged. Act your age!” one reader wrote.
“Flirty? How about tacky!!!” wrote another.
“Money doesn’t buy class or breeding. That top is not suitable for any Church surprised the Italians let her in,” wrote a third, whose screen name was “Miserable Pensioner.”