She is not the first inhabitant of the White House to hide her famous face behind a baseball cap and sunglasses, but Michelle Obama may be the most audacious shopper to ever inhabit 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
First lady Michelle Obama — who practically sailed through a Virginia Target without a second glance, and admits to sneaking out "as much as possible" — told TODAY’s Al Roker that she and first dog Bo once visited a major pet store without being recognized by a single person.
"I actually took Bo to Petco," the first lady told a bemused Roker.
The Look: Clad in baseball cap and sunglasses, first lady shops at Target
"The cashier asked me, 'Oh, what kind of dog is that?' I said, 'A Portuguese water dog.' He didn't recognize us because he didn't expect that we would be in Petco."
Although Mrs. Obama said the cashier eventually realized who she was from her credit card, the trip, like others she’s reportedly taken while in the White House, revealed just how simple it was to quickly slip into and out of a store if no one was expecting you.
"They're looking right through you. They don't know it's me," the first lady told Roker.
"People realize and it's amazing how people don't recognize you. They don't expect to see me at Starbucks or at Chipotle."
The first lady told Roker that although she misses the ability to shop and travel as she likes, the clandestine sprees offer a sense of normalcy for a family bearing the weight of the free world.
The trips "help keep our kids' lives normal."
And while the Obamas may yearn for yesteryear, when a trip to Target didn’t involve an advance team, there’s one White House perk the first lady isn’t willing to part with just yet: she doesn’t have to buy toilet paper.
"You know, we pretty much have our supply stocked," she told Roker. "I know, it's one of the advantages."