Claire Underwood might keep most things secret, but the key to her style is straightforward. The fictional character on House of Cards opts for not-so-simple suits, and in season four [1], she plays up her look with contrast lapels or lining [2]. When Michelle Obama [3] made an appearance at a recent Let Girls Learn event in Washington DC, she took a tip from Claire.

Michelle looked professional in her matching separates, consisting of a knee-length dress and matching cropped blazer, but the white piping on her coordinates made all the difference. Instead of blending into the background, the FLOTUS stood out [4], her figure defined by such a subtle little detail.

Of course, Michelle remembered her lovely accessories: gold hoop earrings, patent-leather kitten heels, and her engagement ring. Read on to see her ensemble, and then switch up your own officewear [5] with similar pieces.

Shop Michelle's Look