the buzz log

Frugal fashionistas can rejoice at the newest recession-era business to open shop online. Called Rent the Runway, the idea is this: You can look like a thousand bucks for only a rental fee. Just point, click, rock your look, and return.

If search is any indication, this start-up could shoot up: Word of the Netflix for the high-fashion set sent searches on the high-end dress loan biz soaring.

Designers of just-off-the-runway looks (and some exclusive to the Web store, according to the New York Times) include big names like Diane von Furstenberg and Lela Rose — gowns more often seen on the red carpet then in your mailbox.

Best part, when that ex-boyfriend's wedding is over (or whatever event where you want a killer look without crushing debt) you just send that dress back in the postage-paid envelope (dry cleaning included). And nobody has to know your little, fashion-forward secret.

Filed under: Fashion

No doubt about it. This story's got legs. The first lady took a look-see at the Grand Canyon with her family this weekend while the rest of the country got a good look at her gams. Michelle Obama braved the blistering Arizona sun with an even braver style of shorts.

This winter we got a view of the fashionista-in-chief's powerful arms, and now there's proof that she's got stems to match. The bare legs set off a firestorm of buzz on the Web, with looky-loos typing in "michelle obama short shorts" into the Search box.

The Huffington Post declared that Michelle O. was the first first lady to step out of Air Force One in anything close to Daisy Dukes and asked, "After all, can you imagine Laura Bush or Patricia Nixon doing the same?" Soliciting online opinions, the site is holding a poll on whether the first lady has the "right to bare legs."

To be clear, the shorts pictured are above the knee. But note that the first lady pairs the shortish shorts with running shoes. She looks like a tourist at a national park, except with Air Force One behind her. Another fashion accessory that's turning heads: Michelle Obama's confidence.

The Washington Post's Fashion Editor Robin Givhan told the "Today" show that we're conflicted about how we want our first lady to look: "We don't see first ladies looking informal, and I think a wonderful thing that she's bringing informality to that position. But we're still grappling with what the first lady is supposed to be all about."

One thing's for sure. We won't stop looking — or commenting — on Michelle Obama's outfits any time soon. Here's the "Today" show clip with some long opinions on the first lady's shorts.

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Filed under: Fashion, First Ladies

Forget burning bras. Real change for women in Saudi Arabia will happen when women start selling the things.

Currently, if you are a woman in need of some intimate underthing in the Saudi Kingdom, your sales assistant will always be a man. No wonder women there are always wearing the wrong-sized foundation.

The constricting laws that allow only men as sales staff have created this awkward sales environment. Recently women decded they were done mentioning the details of their unmentionables to men. For the last few months, bra buyers have been boycotting male-run underwear stores until women are allowed to work them.

To show that women can too run a bra shop, 26 attended a first-of-its-kind sales training on bras. Victoria's Secret provided extra support by donating some of its wares.

Who knew that buying a bra from a woman could be such a revolutionary act.

Filed under: Fashion