Being the first lady is by no means an easy job, but Michelle Obama always managed to do it in style. Whether she is stepping out on the red carpet at a formal function or just heading out for a walk with Barack, we love how she always manages to give an elegant look her own surprising spin.
With some heavy-hitting designers in her corner (hello, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford!), we’ve come to expect not just a great outfit but a bona-fide style moment every time she appears in the public eye. While she may no longer be gracing the halls of the White House, Michelle continues to amaze with her fierce style and a drive to change the world for the better.
Getty / Gary Miller
Statement Stripes Are Always in Style
Wearing an Elie Saab suit from the Spring 2019 collection.
Getty / Paras Griffin
Classic Pantsuits and Sparkles Are a Perfect Pair
Getty / Kevin Mazur
Have a Little Surprise Up Your Sleeve
Getty / Erika Goldring
Don't Be Afraid to Sparkle and Shine
Getty / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA
There's No Such Thing as a Hue Too Bright or a Print Too Bold
Wearing a Kenzo dress and Roksanda Ilincic belt during a trip to Tokyo in 2015.
Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
Sheer Doesn't Have to Be Overly Sexy
Wearing a Monique Lhuillier gown to the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
Matching Your SO Is Pretty Darn Adorable
Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
When You Can Rock a Runway Look, Do it
This Tanya Taylor tank dress actually took the form of a two-piece set on the designer’s Spring 2014 runway.
Getty / SAUL LOEB
Ombré Is More Than Just a Hairstyle
Getty / Paul Zimmerman
A Great Midi Dress Will Take You From Work to Play
Wearing a custom floral-appliqué Naeem Khan dress.
Getty / Larry Marano
Never Underestimate the Power of Prints
Getty / JEWEL SAMAD
When It's Your Moment in the Spotlight, Go All Out
Wearing a beaded blue silk faille Carolina Herrera gown and coordinated Sutra earrings.
Getty / Pool
Black Tie Doesn't Mean Black Dress
Wearing a hand-draped gown by Marchesa in 2013.
Getty / Pool
Plaid Isn't Just For Lumberjacks
Getty / JIM WATSON
Keep an Eye Out For Affordable Fashion Finds
In a yellow-and-white dress from Talbots.
Getty / MANDEL NGAN
Boatneck Dresses Look Great on Land Too
Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
Relaxed Outfits Can Still Be Polished
Getty / Chip Somodevilla
When You're Sticking to One Color Head to Toe, Switch Up the Hue
Wearing various shades of blue in Pretoria, South Africa.
Getty / SAUL LOEB
Khakis Aren't Just For the Guys
Wearing khaki cropped trousers and a printed blouse while visiting Dakar, Senegal, with the president.
Getty / NICHOLAS KAMM
Outfit Repeating Is Totally Underrated
Wearing a blue-printed Tracy Reese dress and flats.
Getty / JEWEL SAMAD
Always Opt For a Little Sparkle
Wearing an embellished navy top and blue-and-gold pleated skirt.
Getty Images / Pool
Match Your Shoes and Your Purse to Make an Outfit Feel Extra Put Together
Wearing a powder-blue Zac Posen set and sleek black accessories.
Getty Images / The White House
Dressing to a Theme Doesn't Have to Be Cheesy
Wearing a custom-made silver art-deco-inspired Naeem Khan gown on Oscars night in 2012.
Getty / Joe Raedle
A Long Red Dress Will Always Make a Statement
In a custom ruby chiffon and velvet gown by Jason Wu and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Getty / SAUL LOEB
A Matching Dress and Jacket Make For Serious Power Suiting
Wearing a custom ivory wool-appliqué Naeem Khan coat and matching sleeveless dress.
Getty / Win McNamee
Sometimes an Outfit Is All About the Accessories
Wearing a Thom Browne coat with a J.Crew embellished belt, suede knee-high boots, and berry-hued gloves.
Getty / Alex Wong
Bold Hues and Prints are Great, but Sometimes It's the Material That Makes the Dress
Wearing a pink-and-gold toile Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew pumps.
Getty / Pool
Black Will Always Look Great, but Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Color to Stand Out From the Crowd
Getty / SAUL LOEB
Keep All Eyes on Your Dress by Choosing Simple Shoes
Wearing a boldly printed Duro Olowu dress and tan pumps.
Getty / Mark Wilson
Sometimes a Well-Dressed Date Is the Ultimate Accessory
Wearing a red-and-black gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
Getty / Pool
Add Personality to a Formal Look by Mismatching Your Shoes
In a custom, lemon-hued Isabel Toledo coat and dress with olive-green leather gloves and her favorite green Jimmy Choo shoes.
Getty / WPA Pool
A Dress Looks Totally Different When You Throw Something Unexpected on Top
Wearing a Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garçons asymmetrical cardigan, a Jason Wu dress, and green Jimmy Choo shoes.
Getty / Mark Wilson
White Gowns Aren't Just For a Wedding
Wearing a white ethereal Jason Wu gown on the night of President Obama’s inaugural ball.
Getty / AFP
Add Gloves For an Extra Bit of Elegance
Wearing a cream Tom Ford gown at a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Getty / WPA Pool
Putting a Brooch on It Is a Lot More Chic Than You Think
Wearing a purple ombré Peter Som dress and coat.
Getty / Anwar Hussein
If You're Meeting the Queen, Wear Your Very Best
Wearing a Ralph Lauren gown for a dinner at the US Embassy in London.
Getty / Mark Wilson
Invest in an Arsenal of Great Coats
Getty / Pool
A Statement Necklace WIll Never Go Out of Style
Wearing a one-of-a-kind Peter Soronen gown and layered pearl necklace.
Getty / Kevin Winter/NBCUniversal
You Can Never Go Wrong With J.Crew
Wearing a J.Crew skirt and a gold-toned Michael Kors top.
Getty / Mike Fuentes
It's Surprisingly Easy to Dress Up a T-Shirt
Getty / Alex Wong
If You've Got a Favorite Body Part, Flaunt It
In an elegant off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown with strands of Tom Binns pearls.
Charley Gallay/KCA2012/Getty Images for KCA
You Can Dress Your Age and Still Have Fun With it
In a Wes Gordon top with Helmut Lang foil jeans.
Getty / Dan Kitwood
Matching Your Mom Is Actually Pretty Cool
Getty / Pool
There's Nothing Wrong With a Little Retro Influence
Wearing Carolina Herrera.
AFP/Getty Images / SAUL LOEB
Add a Belt For an Extraslimming Effect
AFP/Getty Images / SAUL LOEB
Never Feel Obligated to Blend In
Getty / Karwai Tang
Florals Aren't Just a Spring Thing
