First Lady Michelle Obama’s Best Fashion and Style Moments

Derick Chetty | August 1st, 2016

During the Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama wowed audiences with her passionate speech—and beautiful blue dress. We take a look back at some of our other favourite looks.

UNITED STATES - JULY 25: First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call) — First Lady Michelle Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Monday, July 25, 2016. (Photo By Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call)

Michelle Obama stunned the crowd in a simple cobalt blue Christian Siriano dress at the DNC in Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 10: First Lady Michelle Obama and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau share a laugh during a ceremony at the White House for an Official Visit March 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. This is Trudeau's first trip to Washington since becoming Prime Minister. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images) — WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 10: First Lady Michelle Obama and Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau share a laugh during a ceremony at the White House for an Official Visit March 10, 2016 in Washington, DC. This is Trudeau’s first trip to Washington since becoming Prime Minister. (Photo by Olivier Douliery-Pool/Getty Images)

During the official Canadian State Visit on March 10, 2016, the fashionable First Lady of the United States turned out wearing an outfit from Canadian designer Tanya Taylor.

US First Lady Michelle Obama (R) greets

Not one to shy away from bright colours and bold patterns, Michelle Obama chose a picture perfect tropical print dress for a luncheon during the APEC leaders summit in Hawaii on November 13^th, 2011.

It’s not just the First Lady’s outfits that makes the news. Her hairstyle is also closely watched, like the brand new bangs she debuted a few days before the Presidential Inauguration. It’s fresh, modern and youthful, while still remaining age-appropriate and unfussy.

The First Lady has a few style signatures that she sticks with; one shoulder gowns, a beaded belt and bare arms. For a State Dinner on Oct 13, 2011 for the President and First Lady of South Korea, she showed savvy diplomacy and wore a gown by Korean American designer Doo-Ri Chung.

The First Lady also loves cream or white for evening – who can forget the white Jason Wu gown for the first Presidential Inauguration – and here again before greeting Indian President Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur at the White House, she chose a bean cream gown by Naeem Khan.

For a black tie dinner on May 25th, 2011 with Queen Elizabeth 11, Michelle Obama was the perfect ambassador for the powerful American fashion industry by wearing a black gown by the most quintessential of American designers; Ralph Lauren.

Critics pounced on the fact that the First Lady did not wear a gown by an American designer for a China state dinner in 2011. But this red gown designed by British designer Sarah Burton for the Alexander McQueen label, was not only dramatic but the colour was respectful and paid homage to Chinese culture.

From her very first state dinner on November 23rd, 2009 for the Prime Minister of India, the First Lady demonstrated political savvy by wearing an ornate gown by Indian American designer Naeem Khan. Her wavy updo hair and drop earrings perfectly showcased her sculptural shoulders and those famously toned arms.

For her first official portrait on Feb. 27, 2009, the First Lady chose to keep it informal yet modern with a simple black Michael Kors dress, accessorized with a pearl necklace.

One of her more pricier outfits, this white and gold jacket (rumoured to cost close to $7000) from luxury American designer, J. Mendel was a perfect sartorial statement to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace on July 27th, 2012 during the Summer Olympics.

Again, demonstrating her love for a one-shouldered gown, FLOTUS wore a black gown by Michael Kors for a dinner for Israeli President Shimon Peres on June 13th, 2012.

You would be hard pressed to find an image of the First Lady where her hair was not flawlessly styled. Here at a White House Correspondents Dinner, her feathered back hair, perfectly complimented her soft flowy Naeem Khan dress.

It is a rare occasion when the First Lady does not wear an American label. Like this black dress from French designer Azzedine Alaia she wore during a European tour in 2009. But it’s her choice of a cardigan instead of a jacket worn over several of dresses that has proven to be hugely influential, prompting working women everywhere to adopt the look for the office.

In her signature one-shoulder evening look, the First Lady wows in a striking red J. Mendel gown in 2012 at the BET Honor Awards. Again, a dramatic sweeping updo shows off her terrifically toned shoulders and arms.

Obama wears her designer du jour, Reed Krakoff at her husband’s swearing in. The colour and pattern are flattering and appropriate for the occassion.

She successfully mixes classic pearls with her new bangs for an updated look. Again, in Reed Krakoff.

Surprise! Obama dazzled us in Naeem Khan while presenting the Best Picture award at this year’s Oscars.