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Home · Fashion

2012: The First Lady's Fab Fashion Moments

It was a year in chic, floor-length gowns, fit-and-flare dresses and bold brights that kept the First Lady moving fashion forward.

By Celia L. Smith · Updated October 28, 2020
01
Gorgeous Gowns

At the BET Honors 2012 in Washington, DC, the First Lady looked absolutely divine in wine. This organza one-shoulder style by J.Mendel was definitely the glam moment of the year.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
02
Gorgeous Gowns

One way to draw all eyes from the President of the United States on to you is in this cobalt blue Jason Wu floor-length gown.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
03
Gorgeous Gowns
If the plethora of pearls aren’t enough to catch your attention, then this marvelous teal Marchesa gown will. The First couple walk into the North Portico of the White House for the state dinner making a fab entrance.
2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
04
Gorgeous Gowns

Two words: simply stunning! Michelle Obama pulled out her best look in her husband’s honor –– a georgette pleated one-shoulder Michael Kors gown, vintage Dior belt and House of Lavande jewels. A wonderful selection for the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GettyImages
05
Metallic Moments
Mrs. O stands by the President’s side after his State of the Union Address wearing a patriotic sapphire blue shimmering twill dress by designer Barbara Tfank that looks stunningly sleek.
2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
06
Bold Brights
The First Lady talks business fashionably. At the Northgate Market in Inglewood, California, she sits pretty in the produce section wearing a citrus-hued Ann Taylor coat and Michael Kors wool crepe pants.
2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
07
Bold Brights

In the sunshine state of Jacksonville, Florida, First Lady Michelle Obama makes Liz Claiborne look like a million bucks in this orange, pleated dress and cute contrast-colored kitten heels.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
08
Bold Brights

Channeling Bianca Jagger, the First Lady fiercely rocks an ivory wide-leg pantsuit on The Steve Harvey Show.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
09
Bold Brights

It must be the vibrant Rachel Roy dress that has the First Lady in high spirits while greeting military families in the White House on Mother’s Day. We love it too!

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages
10
Bold Brights

Want to outshine the host on your first appearance? This is how: sit bold and beautiful in a colorblocked Preen shift dress.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
Getty Images
11
Bold Brights

Mrs. O wears an appropriately sweet, candy-colored combo at a Virginia bakery –– a turquoise sleeveless Ann Taylor top, pink pencil skirt, beautiful baubles and a chic Jason Wu for Target satchel.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
12
Bold Brights

Mrs. O doesn’t mind having fun with fashion and it shows, especially in this colorful Preen digital print shift dress at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
AP
13
Bold Brights

On The View, Mrs. O hands down steals the show in this emerald hued dress and Azaara necklace.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages
14
Bold Brights

One of the many fashionable Presidential Debate nights for the First Lady included this regal colored two-piece skirt suit and silk blouse by Preen.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
Pool/Getty Images
15
Bold Brights

Now, this is the definition of a power suit! Who would debate that Mrs. O wasn’t the chicest in Micheal Kors during the Presidential debate?



2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
EMMANUEL DUNAND
16
Pretty Prints & Patterns

Talk about a party dress! At the Correspondent’s Dinner the First Lady threw on a fab Naeem Khan frock, hoop earrings by Carla Amorim and a serious cocktail ring by Sara Weinstock. 

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
Getty Images
17
Pretty Prints & Patterns

We spotted Mrs. O on more than one occasion wearing this Thom Browne lace dress. Here, she wore it simply at the DNC in North Carolina.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
STAN HONDA/GettyImages
18
Pretty Prints & Patterns

The First Lady fills the room with a bouquet of yellow flowers designed by Tracy Reese at a campaign field office in Raleigh, N.C.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
AP Photo/Gerry Broome
19
Pretty Prints & Patterns

At Broward College in Florida, the First Lady schools us on how to be chic for less by sporting a floral print Jones New York dress from Macy’s.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
Larry Marano/WireImage
20
Pretty Prints & Patterns

The First Lady looks fabulous in a geometric print dress from Zero + Maria Cornejo with Zara suede kitten heels for a high-meets-low fashion look at an awards ceremony for the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities in Washington.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
21
Pretty Prints & Patterns

Another DNC stunner was First Lady Michelle Obama in this oxblood damask print dress by Laura Smalls that was perfectly on trend.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
Chip Somodevilla
22
Metallic Moments

Our favorite fashion moment of the year was this gold medal-worthy metallic embroidered top and chiffon skirt by J. Mendel at the Buckingham Palace reception for the Olympics Opening Ceremony in London.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
WPA Pool/Getty Images
23
Metallic Moments

This was a first-class style moment for the First Lady. On the DNC’s opening night in Charlotte, North Carolina Mrs. O donned a pink silk damask dress and J.Crew pumps fiercely!

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
STAN HONDA/AFP/GettyImages
24
Pastel Palettes

On The Tonight Show With Jay Leno The First Lady brings her all-American ‘A’ game in a Michael Kors gold-ribbed lame crewneck sweater and a J.Crew  jacquard pencil skirt with vintage House of Lavande belt and pale pink pumps.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
25
Ombré Honor

It may be a moment of silence on the South Lawn for 9/11, but the First Lady’s ombré Peter Som coat and matching dress says “fashion” loud and clear.

2012: The First Lady’s Fab Fashion Moments
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GettyImages

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