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.
Wearing an Elie Saab suit from the Spring 2019 collection.
Wearing a bright yellow dress and thigh-high gold Balenciaga boots.
Wearing a purple custom Sergio Hudson pantsuit and a sparkly bustier.
Wearing a custom Sergio Hudson sequined jumpsuit.
Wearing a Kenzo dress and Roksanda Ilincic belt during a trip to Tokyo in 2015.
Wearing a Monique Lhuillier gown to the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honors.
This Tanya Taylor tank dress actually took the form of a two-piece set on the designer's Spring 2014 runway.
Wearing a custom floral-appliqué Naeem Khan dress.
Wearing a beaded blue silk faille Carolina Herrera gown and coordinated Sutra earrings.
In a yellow-and-white dress from Talbots.
Wearing various shades of blue in Pretoria, South Africa.
Wearing khaki cropped trousers and a printed blouse while visiting Dakar, Senegal, with the president.
Wearing an embellished navy top and blue-and-gold pleated skirt.
Wearing a powder-blue Zac Posen set and sleek black accessories.
Wearing a custom-made silver art-deco-inspired Naeem Khan gown on Oscars night in 2012.
In a custom ruby chiffon and velvet gown by Jason Wu and Jimmy Choo shoes.
Wearing a custom ivory wool-appliqué Naeem Khan coat and matching sleeveless dress.
Wearing a Thom Browne coat with a J.Crew embellished belt, suede knee-high boots, and berry-hued gloves.
Wearing a pink-and-gold toile Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew pumps.
Wearing a boldly printed Duro Olowu dress and tan pumps.
Wearing a red-and-black gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.
In a custom, lemon-hued Isabel Toledo coat and dress with olive-green leather gloves and her favorite green Jimmy Choo shoes.
Wearing a Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garçons asymmetrical cardigan, a Jason Wu dress, and green Jimmy Choo shoes.
Wearing a white ethereal Jason Wu gown on the night of President Obama's inaugural ball.
Wearing a cream Tom Ford gown at a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.
Wearing a purple ombré Peter Som dress and coat.
Wearing a Ralph Lauren gown for a dinner at the US Embassy in London.
Wearing a one-of-a-kind Peter Soronen gown and layered pearl necklace.
Wearing a J.Crew skirt and a gold-toned Michael Kors top.
In an elegant off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown with strands of Tom Binns pearls.
In a Wes Gordon top with Helmut Lang foil jeans.