50 Reasons We Want to Copy Michelle Obama's Style

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.

01
Statement Stripes Are Always in Style
Getty | Gary Miller

Statement Stripes Are Always in Style

Wearing an Elie Saab suit from the Spring 2019 collection.

02
Being Bold Is a Great Thing
Getty | Dia Dipasupil

Being Bold Is a Great Thing

Wearing a bright yellow dress and thigh-high gold Balenciaga boots.

03
Classic Pantsuits and Sparkles Are a Perfect Pair
Getty | Paras Griffin

Classic Pantsuits and Sparkles Are a Perfect Pair

Wearing a purple custom Sergio Hudson pantsuit and a sparkly bustier.

04
Have a Little Surprise Up Your Sleeve
Getty | Kevin Mazur

Have a Little Surprise Up Your Sleeve

05
Don't Be Afraid to Sparkle and Shine
Getty | Erika Goldring

Don't Be Afraid to Sparkle and Shine

06
There's No Such Thing as a Hue Too Bright or a Print Too Bold
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.

07
Sheer Doesn't Have to Be Overly Sexy
Getty | BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

Sheer Doesn't Have to Be Overly Sexy

Wearing a Monique Lhuillier gown to the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honors.

08
Matching Your SO Is Pretty Darn Adorable
Getty | BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

Matching Your SO Is Pretty Darn Adorable

09
When You Can Rock a Runway Look, Do it
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.

10
Tropical Prints Aren't Just For Dads
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Tropical Prints Aren't Just For Dads

Wearing Mary Katrantzou in June 2015.

11
Ombré Is More Than Just a Hairstyle
Getty | SAUL LOEB

Ombré Is More Than Just a Hairstyle

12
A Great Midi Dress Will Take You From Work to Play
Getty | Paul Zimmerman

A Great Midi Dress Will Take You From Work to Play

Wearing a custom floral-appliqué Naeem Khan dress.

13
Never Underestimate the Power of Prints
Getty | Larry Marano

Never Underestimate the Power of Prints

15
Black Tie Doesn't Mean Black Dress
Getty | Pool

Black Tie Doesn't Mean Black Dress

Wearing a hand-draped gown by Marchesa in 2013.

16
Plaid Isn't Just For Lumberjacks
Getty | Pool

Plaid Isn't Just For Lumberjacks

17
Keep an Eye Out For Affordable Fashion Finds
Getty | JIM WATSON

Keep an Eye Out For Affordable Fashion Finds

In a yellow-and-white dress from Talbots.

18
Boatneck Dresses Look Great on Land Too
Getty | MANDEL NGAN

Boatneck Dresses Look Great on Land Too

19
Relaxed Outfits Can Still Be Polished
Getty | BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

Relaxed Outfits Can Still Be Polished

20
When You're Sticking to One Color Head to Toe, Switch Up the Hue
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.

21
Khakis Aren't Just For the Guys
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.

22
Outfit Repeating Is Totally Underrated
Getty

Outfit Repeating Is Totally Underrated

Wearing a blue-printed Tracy Reese dress and flats.

23
Always Opt For a Little Sparkle
Getty

Always Opt For a Little Sparkle

Wearing an embellished navy top and blue-and-gold pleated skirt.

24
Match Your Shoes and Your Purse to Make an Outfit Feel Extra Put Together
Getty

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.

25
Dressing to a Theme Doesn't Have to Be Cheesy
Getty

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.

26
A Long Red Dress Will Always Make a Statement
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.

27
A Matching Dress and Jacket Make For Serious Power Suiting
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.

28
Sometimes an Outfit Is All About the Accessories
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.

29
Bold Hues and Prints are Great, but Sometimes It's the Material That Makes the Dress
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.

30
Black Will Always Look Great, but Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Color to Stand Out From the Crowd
Getty | Pool

Black Will Always Look Great, but Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Color to Stand Out From the Crowd

31
Keep All Eyes on Your Dress by Choosing Simple Shoes
Getty | SAUL LOEB

Keep All Eyes on Your Dress by Choosing Simple Shoes

Wearing a boldly printed Duro Olowu dress and tan pumps.

32
Give an Old Dress New Life by Adding a Belt or Sweater
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AP

Give an Old Dress New Life by Adding a Belt or Sweater

33
Sometimes a Well-Dressed Date Is the Ultimate Accessory
Getty | Mark Wilson

Sometimes a Well-Dressed Date Is the Ultimate Accessory

Wearing a red-and-black gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

34
Add Personality to a Formal Look by Mismatching Your Shoes
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.

35
A Dress Looks Totally Different When You Throw Something Unexpected on Top
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.

36
White Gowns Aren't Just For a Wedding
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.

37
Add Gloves For an Extra Bit of Elegance
Getty | AFP

Add Gloves For an Extra Bit of Elegance

Wearing a cream Tom Ford gown at a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.

38
Putting a Brooch on It Is a Lot More Chic Than You Think
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.

39
If You're Meeting the Queen, Wear Your Very Best
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.

40
Invest in an Arsenal of Great Coats
Getty | Mark Wilson

Invest in an Arsenal of Great Coats

41
A Statement Necklace WIll Never Go Out of Style
Getty | Pool

A Statement Necklace WIll Never Go Out of Style

Wearing a one-of-a-kind Peter Soronen gown and layered pearl necklace.

42
You Can Never Go Wrong With J.Crew
Getty | Kevin Winter/NBCUniversal

You Can Never Go Wrong With J.Crew

Wearing a J.Crew skirt and a gold-toned Michael Kors top.

43
It's Surprisingly Easy to Dress Up a T-Shirt
Getty | Mike Fuentes

It's Surprisingly Easy to Dress Up a T-Shirt

44
If You've Got a Favorite Body Part, Flaunt It
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.

45
You Can Dress Your Age and Still Have Fun With it
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.

46
Matching Your Mom Is Actually Pretty Cool
Getty | Dan Kitwood

Matching Your Mom Is Actually Pretty Cool

Wearing a Preen dress.

47
There's Nothing Wrong With a Little Retro Influence
Getty | Pool

There's Nothing Wrong With a Little Retro Influence

Wearing Carolina Herrera.

48
Add a Belt For an Extraslimming Effect
Getty

Add a Belt For an Extraslimming Effect

50
Florals Aren't Just a Spring Thing
Getty | Karwai Tang

Florals Aren't Just a Spring Thing