Michelle Obama's Most Stylish Salutes to American Designers

Published on 4/20/2016 at 4:42 PM

For nearly eight years in the White House, Michelle Obama has solidified her reputation as one of the most stylish first ladies our country has ever seen. Early on in her tenure, she used her position to spotlight American designers, memorably choosing Jason Wu to craft her gown for the Inaugural Ball in 2009 — a dress that catapulted the burgeoning designer to fashion superstardom.

In the years since, the FLOTUS has continually shown her support for US-based brands and designers, choosing J.Crew for an appearance on Late Night or emerging from Air Force One in a pretty Tory Burch dress. In every case, the selection seems authentically Michelle, a style that's approachable and impeccable all at once, making her one of the best dressed women to ever take the White House. Herein, we're highlighting her 40 best fashion moments wearing our favorite American designers.

Wearing Tracy Reese for the Marine Barracks Parade in June 2014.

Wearing Tanya Taylor in June 2014.

Wearing Derek Lam at the Beijing Capital International Airport in March 2014.

Wearing Carolina Herrera to greet French President Francois Hollande in February 2014.

Wearing Marchesa to host the Kennedy Center honorees with President Obama in December 2013.

Wearing Naeem Khan during a dinner in South Africa in June 2013.

Wearing a Prabal Gurung Resort '13 dress for a White House event in May 2013.

Wearing Narciso Rodriguez in Argentina in March 2016.

Wearing Thakoon for an event held in the East Room of the White House in April 2013.

Wearing Naeem Khan to celebrate the Anna Wintour Costume Center grand opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in May 2014.

Wearing Zac Posen in April 2013.

Wearing Michael Kors dress for a bill signing in Maryland in April 2013.

Wearing a Prabal Gurung dress and coat for Easter in 2013.

Wearing custom Naeem Khan in 2013.

Wearing Narciso Rodriguez for a school visit in Chicago in April 2013.

Wearing Jason Wu for the Inaugural Ball in January 2013.

Wearing a custom Naeem Khan coat and matching sleeveless dress in 2013.

Wearing Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew pumps at the DNC in September 2012.

Wearing Diane von Furstenberg at the DNC in September 2012.

Wearing Carolina Herrera to welcome Pope Francis in September 2015.

Wearing Boy by Band of Outsiders in June 2012.

Wearing Vera Wang at the 34th annual Kennedy Center Honors.

Wearing Michael Kors at the Time 100 gala in 2009.

Wearing Narciso Rodriguez at the State of the Union speech in January 2016.

Wearing Doo.Ri at a state dinner welcoming South Korea.

Wearing Rodarte during an Olympic announcement in 2009.

Wearing Michael Kors for the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony in 2015.

Wearing Ralph Lauren for a dinner at the US Embassy in London.

Wearing an Ann Taylor tank and carrying a Jason Wu for Target handbag at a local bakery in Virginia in 2010.

Wearing Marchesa to welcome UK Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife, Samantha, in 2012.

Wearing a J.Crew skirt and Michael Kors top for the Tonight Show With Jay Leno in 2012.

Wearing BCBG Max Azria during a campaign rally at Memorial Hall in 2012.

Wearing Boy by Band of Outsiders in June 2012.

Wearing Tadashi Shoji at a state dinner in 2015.

Wearing Bibhu Mohapatra at the Phoenix Awards dinner in 2014.

Wearing Jason Wu to the inaugural ball in 2009.

Wearing Jason Wu at the Canada state dinner in 2016.

Wearing Tadashi Shoji at the 45th Annual Legislative Conference in 2015.

Wearing Tory Burch in Argentina in March 2016.

Wearing Naeem Khan for the state dinner in Cuba in March 2016.