(Photo: AP)

It’s real in this recession and for a lot of fashionistas, paying an arm and a leg for a dress you’ll probably wear once or twice doesn’t make sense. But First Lady Michelle Obama caused some chatter when she wore a black, orange and bronze-striped dress to the White House Halloween party this past Saturday that looked like one of designer Diane von Furstenberg’s frocks, but was actually a dress from British runway-inspired fashion chain ASOS.
The ASOS Midi Body-Conscious Dress she wore rings up at around $72 and was a slight spin on the silk and polyester Savannah Striped Dress from DVF’s fall 2011 collection, featuring a crewneck instead of a boat neck. The original design would've run Mrs. O $498.
FLOTUS is known for wearing a mix of labels and while she’ll reach for high fashion threads for big events, she’s also been known to wear lower priced lines including Target, H&M and The Gap.
Sure she can afford (or even call in) the real deal, but would you knock the First Lady for wearing a knockoff? Or do you think it was a savvy budget-conscious move? Sound off!