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Michelle Obama's Fashion Evolution in Over 100 Looks

Michelle Obama's Fashion Evolution in Over 100 Looks

By InStyle Staff

Updated Jun 17, 2020 @ 6:30 pm

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In case you've missed it, Michelle Obama is not playing any games when it comes to her style. Not only has she been an icon since she stepped in the White House, but the former First Lady was also serving up jaw-dropping looks back-to-back while promoting her book Becoming several years later in 2019. We're still trying to catch our breath after seeing her hit the stage with Sarah Jessica wearing those thigh-high Balenciaga boots. And who could forget how classy she looked in that white suit with those adorable Jimmy Choo cage booties?

But Michelle's style hasn't always leaned towards the trendy side. Remember when Barack was in office? While in the White House, Michelle stuck to timeless closet staples, but now we're getting a chance to see her experiment more, showing off her personality through her outfit choices. And we're here for it.

See exactly how Michelle Obama's style has evolved by taking a look back at her best fashion moments over the years.

VIDEO: See Michelle Obama’s Fierce Look at the ESPY Awards

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2019 - Sergio Hudson

Erika Goldring / Contributor

For her appearance at the Essence Festival, Obama wore a belted blue sequin jumpsuit by Sergio Hudson.

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2019

SOPA Images / Contributor

A black suit gets a major upgrade with a crystal-embellished cape.

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2019 - Dundas

Rune Hellestad - Corbis / Contributor

For her Oslo Becoming stop, Obama opted for a suit by Peter Dundas with a green sash detail and embroidered lapels.

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2019 - Stella McCartney

Mike Marsland / Contributor

Michelle paired a Stella McCartney jumpsuit — appropriate for an event at London's O2 Arena — with a pair of patent black stilettos.

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2019 - Acne Studios

Michael Campanella / Contributor

For her stop in Stockholm, Obama chose a custom mint green suit from Acne Studios with a cropped jacket.

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2019 - Stine Goya

MARTIN SYLVEST / Contributor

The millennial pink suit Obama wore in Copenhagen is from up-and-coming brand Stine Goya.

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2019 - Fe Noel

Rick Kern / Contributor

For her Becoming stop in Austin, Michelle chose a radiant peach-and-orange outfit from Fe Noel.

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2019 - Elie Saab

Gary Miller / Contributor

This Elie Saab suit pulled double duty. Obama wore it to YouTube's BookTube event in Austin and Oprah’s 2020 Vision Tour's Texas stop.

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2018 - Cushnie

MediaNews Group/The Mercury News/Getty Images

This rose color looks amazing on Obama, and we love how the Cushnie designers accented the silky blazer with a rope belt.

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2018 - Balmain

NBC/Getty Images

Here's proof that a classic blazer and a pair of pants doesn't have to be boring. Obama stepped out for an episode of The Tonight Show in a striped Balmain suit.

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2018 - Balenciaga

Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

There's no doubt that people will be talking about this look for years to come, especially the glittery Balenciaga boots ($3,900; mytheresa.com).

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2019 - Givenchy

Jack Taylor/Getty Images

Michelle Obama made a fashion-forward statement in a pair of Givenchy high-waisted pants and a military-inspired shirt from the brand's Spring 2019 collection.

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2018 - Karen Walker

Sarah Morris/Getty Images

Obama gave us further proof that she's the queen of suits in a denim design by Karen Walker.

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2018 - Christopher Kane

Paul Morigi/Getty Images

The crystal embellishments on this Christopher Kane blazer ($1,695; farfetch.com) added enough sparkle for Obama to keep jewelry to a minimum.

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2018 - Adeam

Roy Rochlin/Getty Images

This military wrap jacket by Adeam, with its asymmetric tail and peplum finishing, was made for Obama.

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2018 - Jonathan Simkhai

Lorenzo Bevilaqua/Getty Images

During an appearance on Good Morning America, she paired a pinstripe Jonathan Simkhai with Jennifer Fisher jewelry.

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2017

Marla Aufmuth/Getty for Pennsylvania Conference for Women

The former FLOTUS stunned in a black pin-striped dress complete with round metallic embellishments paired with black pointed-toe ankle-strap pumps at the Pennsylvania Conference for Women.

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2017 - Jason Wu

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

For the president's farewell address in Chicago, the First Lady chose a navy lace Jason Wu dress. The frock has added significance, as Wu is also the man who designed her white one-shoulder gown for the Inauguration Ball in 2009.

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2016 - Tracy Reese

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

While speaking at the Veterans Homelessness Summit, FLOTUS glowed in a cheery Tracy Reese floral-print dress, black pumps, and silver hoop earrings.

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2016 - Atelier Versace

Olivier Douliery/Pool via CNP/MediaPunch/IPX

For her final White House State Dinner, Michelle Obama pulled out all the stops, making a show-stopping entrance in a custom rose gold Atelier Versace chainmail gown with a fitted bodice, drapery, and an asymmetric off-shoulder neckline, styled with Le Vian diamonds.

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2016 - Giambattista Valli

Startraks Photo

FLOTUS glowed in a knit sleeveless dress that featured a chevron print crafted in black, white, gray, and pale blue colors. She topped the frock off with a thin black belt at her waist, a sparkling collar necklace, diamond drop earrings, and a pair of classic black pumps.

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2016

Paul Morigi/Getty Images

FLOTUS celebrated the fourth annual International Day of the Girl at an event in Washington, DC, wearing a black, white, and yellow floral print dress that she paired with leather pumps and drop earrings.

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2016 - Self-Portrait

Bruce Glikas/Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

FLOTUS wore a knee-length Self-Portrait dress with a black and white floral pattern and a splash of green on her right hip at Broadway Shines a Light on Girls' Education. A black mesh neckline highlighted her toned arms.

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2016 - Naeem Khan

MediaPunch/AKM-GSI

The First Lady stunned in a strapless Naeem Khan ball gown which featured a dramatic sweetheart neckline, a full skirt, and an eye-catching pattern of hand-painted gold leaf on black tulle at the Phoenix Awards Dinner.

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2016 - Brandon Maxwell

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Photo

For the White House State Dinner in honor of Singapore's prime minister, the First Lady turned to Lady Gaga's fashion director, Brandon Maxwell, who created a custom, strapless ivory sponge crepe gown.

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2016 - Naeem Khan

Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The FLOTUS welcomed Singapore's Prime Minister and his wife to the White House in a brilliant yellow Naeem Khan dress covered in floral embellishments.

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2016 - Christian Siriano

Olivier Douliery/Abacausa/startraksphoto.com

The First Lady took to the 2016 Democratic National Convention stage in a knee-length royal blue Christian Siriano dress with cap sleeves and a natural waist. Below the lectern, a pair of metallic silver pumps provided her look with just the right amount of pizzazz.

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2016 - Creatures of the Wind

Leigh Vogel/Getty Images

For the 3rd Annual Beating the Odds Summit, the FLOTUS kept it simple and chic in a navy blue floral-print Creatures of the Wind dress with fringe accents. She completed her ensemble with statement earrings.

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2016

REX/Shutterstock

The First Lady held her fifth annual Healthy Lunchtime Challenge and Kids' State Dinner at the White House wearing a white Barbara Tfank dress with black piping and tiny bows on the shoulders.

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2016 - Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

Europa Press/ Getty Images

The First Lady looked ever so chic as she departed Madrid, Spain, in this black floral dress with an overlapping white graphic print.

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Michelle Obama's Fashion Evolution in Over 100 Looks

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2019 - Sergio Hudson

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2019

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2019 - Dundas

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2019 - Stella McCartney

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2019 - Acne Studios

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2019 - Stine Goya

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2019 - Fe Noel

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2019 - Elie Saab

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2018 - Cushnie

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2018 - Balmain

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2018 - Balenciaga

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2019 - Givenchy

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2018 - Karen Walker

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2018 - Christopher Kane

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2018 - Adeam

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2018 - Jonathan Simkhai

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2017

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2017 - Jason Wu

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2016 - Tracy Reese

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2016 - Atelier Versace

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2016 - Giambattista Valli

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2016 - Self-Portrait

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2016 - Naeem Khan

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2016 - Brandon Maxwell

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2016 - Naeem Khan