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Home • Fashion

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments

We're celebrating Mrs. O's birthday early, with her finest fashion moments. 50 has never looked better!
By Celia L. Smith · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Diamonds & Pearls

At the 85th Annual Academy Awards, Michelle Obama was smokin’ in a smoke colored Naeem Khan deco-beaded gown. The best dressed award goes to her!

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images
02
Sparkler

A little peak at Mrs. O’s Monique Lhuillier beaded and chiffon gown and Catherine Angiel earrings is all we need to see to note how fabulous she looked for the occasion.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
03
Emerald City

Michelle Obama was the crown jewel at the Kennedy Center Honors in an emerald hued Marchesa gown with unexpectedly sexy drop shoulders.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images
04
Red Hot

At the second Inaugural Ball, the First Lady opted for Jason Wu yet again—this time an intense shade of red that left a lasting impression.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
05
Heavenly Style
Michelle Obama showed her fashion savvy at the 2009 Inaugural Ball in a single-shouldered Jason Wu gown.
First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
06
Crown Jewel

This strapless sapphire Jason Wu holiday gown was certainly a gem.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
07
Navy Night

Mrs. O’s style took an edgy turn in a leather-trimmed halter gown by Reed Krakoff at the Pritzker Architecture Prize Event in D.C.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
08
Ivory Fresh

Pristine and polished is her forté and this wonderous Tom Ford winter white gown is pure perfection.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
09
Glamorous Gowns

Tapping into haute couture style, the First Lady dazzled the world in this red, off-the-shoulder Alexander McQueen gown.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
10
Traditional Touch

Simplicity in classic black Michael Kors goes a long way.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
11
Royal in Ralph

Dining with the Queen called for a royal Ralph Lauren gown.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
12
Gone Glam
Piled-on pearls and a teal Marchesa gown for the State Dinner makes this look of Michelle O’s most fashionable moments yet.
First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
13
Dazzling Diva

As proven before, topping a gown generously with pearls is a winning look, especially a sparkling Peter Soronen style.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
14
It’s Electric

This electrifying blue one-shoulder Peter Soronen gown was beyond breathtaking.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
15
Wow Factor
At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards dinner, it was a ravishing Michael Kors gown that stole the show.
First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
16
Sequin Stunner

For the Inagural reception you can never go wrong with a classic little black dress, courtesy of Michael Kors.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
AP Photo/Charles Dharapak
17
Dawn of Day

This sunset-inspired one-shoulder style by Naeem Khan set a stylish tone at the Presidential Guest House in Pretoria, South Africa.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
18
Bouquet Beauty

The First Lady serves floral pastels again, this time royally in Prabal Gurung at the White House with Prince Harry in honor of military mothers.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
19
Dainty Details

This pretty pastel moment at the Presidential Palace in Dakar, Senegal played up a softer side of the First Lady.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
20
Silver Lining

The First Lady was a beauty boarding Air Force One in Berlin in a Carolina Herrera swirl pattern cocktail dress and gorgeous Rene Escobar earrings.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
21
Golden Girl

At the International Olympic Congress in Copenhagen, Mrs. O took home the gold in this pleated Rodarte style accessorized with a trail of brooches.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty
22
Foil Flare

The metallic blue version of the same Rodarte style was just as hot for Hanukkah.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
23
Sorbet Style

How can you not smile in a dress this gorgeous? Mrs. O’s custom Narciso Rodriguez number complemented Robin Roberts perfectly on the set of Good Morning America.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
AP Photo/ABC, Ida Mae Astute
24
Fab Frock

The First Lady livened up the room in a Naeem Khan printed party dress at the Correspondent’s Dinner.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
25
Damask Diva

Designer Laura Smalls outfitted the First Lady in a rich damask print dress in an oxblood blend for the 2012 DNC. Right on trend!

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Chip Somodevilla
26
Tickled Pink
First Lady Michelle Obama
First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
STAN HONDA/AFP/GettyImages
27
White Out

This Buckingham Palace-worthy top and chiffon skirt by J. Mendel gave a Mrs. O a fabulous glow.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
WPA Pool/Getty Images
28
Top This

How chic is this Thom Browne coat? Now this is one way to keep warm with a smile on Inauguraton day.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Win McNamee/Getty Images
29
Classic Call

On Veterans day the First Lady’s black double-breasted coat and suede knee-boots was a simple yet stunning move.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
30
Coat of Armor

Pledging ever so chicly in a red coat and her coveted Jimmy Choo boots, the First Lady makes it a memorable moment.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
31
Plum Perfection

On a stunning stroll with the family, FLOTUS sports a matching suede Azzedine Alaia look with covet-worthy Jimmy Choo thigh-high boots.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
32
Bold Outlook

First Lady brings this merino wool Narciso Rodriguez blazer to life with a punch of colorblocking in a silk crepe top also by the designer during her visit to The Gaihety Theatre in Dublin, Ireland.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
ARTUR WIDAK/AFP/Getty Images
33
Bold Move

Mrs. O is no short of chic at the official State Dinner in Tanzania, wearing a button-down blouse by Zero+Maria Cornejo, and a bold tangerine-striped Carolina Herrera skirt with a metal belt to pull it all together.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
34
Ray of Sunshine

The First Lady was radiant in a yellow Michael Kors dress and suede kitten heels, wearing her best accessory –– her smile.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Michael Reynolds-Pool/Getty Images
35
Well Suited

At a dedication ceremony, FLOTUS sports a Zac Posen suit dress and kitten heels –– a look to rival Olivia Pope.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
36
Bold Brights

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

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
37
Pink Lady

The First Lady’s most shocking moment of 2012 was in a hotter than hot pink Michael Kors dress suit at the Presidential Debate.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
EMMANUEL DUNAND
38
Royal Treatment
Roksanda Ilcinic nailed this color on the First Lady in a such a simple ladylike shape.
First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
39
Sign, Sealed, Delivered

This Narciso Rodriguez dress at the First Family’s victory rally was a sign of chic things to come.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
40
Floral Arrangement

Michelle Obama’s Hawaiian tropic number at the APEC Summit was a perfect piece for the occassion.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
41
Color Coded

This pixelated Preen dress blew us away with its artistic touch. Love the teal heels!

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
42
Hawaiian Hottie

It was all about this one-shoulder stunner at the APEC Summit in Hawaii. A picture of elegance!

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
43
Going for The Green
This money green brocade Chris Benz dress gave the First Lady the right to bare arms at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s gala.
First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
44
Pleats Please

The First Lady was on the move in metallic pleats after an appearance on The Gayle King Show.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
45
White On!

Thanks to designer Naeem Khan, National Prayer Service never looked so chic! This virginal white beaded dress and coat paired with nude kitten heels were fit for the occasion.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images
46
Menswear Chic

On The Steve Harvey Show, the First Lady knew what suited her: an ivory wide-leg pants suit channeling 70s style.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
47
Ravishing

The First Lady is well-red in a pleated Micheal Kors dress, and pumps to match while meeting the Governor of Maryland.

First Lady Style: 50 Fashionable Moments
Getty Images