I had planned to write a post this week about American exceptionalism and European social democracy, but I confess, I got side tracked reading about Michelle Obama's fashions on display this week and reading less about the debates between the American and European models. This is not a bad thing.

I remember the days of my socialist youth when I was bad-mouthed by the boys (and other women) for caring about clothes and fashion. I would find comfort by Michael Harrington only half-jokingly saying that we should all emulate the French, not only in promoting a strong social welfare state, but also a good life for everyone.

Having gone through my teenage years wearing ripped jeans (not fashionably ripped like now), t-shirts and no make up, I was delighted to discover a world of fashion where I could use my brains to well, fashion a style for myself that would be uniquely mine-and clothes and style could become part of the external conversation I have with the world, similar to arguing about politics, literature or anything else.

There is nothing demeaning about a highly educated woman wanting to make a statement with her clothes, especially if it is a statement sculpted uniquely for her. Where I think the problem comes in, is when we accept what is thrown at us--trends that don't make sense, clothes that don't fit but 'everyone is wearing them,' or doing what marketers tell us to do or being who marketers --or society--tells us to be.

But to see fashion as a way to make a statement, to be part of the ongoing conversation that you want to have with the world, is not only a perfectly legitimate part of being a feminist, intelligent woman--it's also a lot of fun. And, there's nothing wrong with having some fun while also being a strong individual.

I think that is one reason that many of us are transfixed by Michelle Obama. She is asserting her own style on the world stage. She's clearly comfortable with who she is--not stage managed at all.

This is, in fact, the best part of American exceptionalism. Our ability to promote our individuality. But, when our individuality comes at the expense of society, that's where the European model pops in. Michelle seems to get that too. By promoting service, giving back to society--and the situation of military families--who, in too many sad instances are examples of the working poor--she is making a statement, too about society.

As is, of course, her husband, our President.

Still, I did read enough non-fashion news this week to be struck by an oped that France's President Nicholas Sarkozy, a self-styled French conservative, wrote in the Washington Post, where he talked about an economic model close to the French heart: support for the developing world. He used a word that is pretty much absent from American discourse, even among our most progressive politicians--"solidarity."

This is a core value of Europe, something which we Americans have never gotten right. To create a fair and just society where everyone's individuality can shine, we must aim to build a more solidaristic society where we lift everyone up and see it as part of our duty to do so.