• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
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 · January 16, 2014October 27, 2020
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!

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.

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.

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.

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.
06
Crown Jewel

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

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.

08
Ivory Fresh

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

09
Glamorous Gowns

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

10
Traditional Touch

Simplicity in classic black Michael Kors goes a long way.

11
Royal in Ralph

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

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.
13
Dazzling Diva

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

14
It’s Electric

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

15
Wow Factor
At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards dinner, it was a ravishing Michael Kors gown that stole the show.
16
Sequin Stunner

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Getty
22
Foil Flare

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

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.

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.

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!

Chip Somodevilla
26
Tickled Pink
First Lady Michelle Obama
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

40
Floral Arrangement

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

Getty Images
41
Color Coded

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

42
Hawaiian Hottie

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

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.
44
Pleats Please

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

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.

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.

47
Ravishing

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

Getty Images

Read More

Op-Ed
Biden Should Add 'The CAREN Act' to His List of Executive Ac...
News
An Inauguration Day of ‘History and Hope’
Ledisi And Columbus Short To Play Mahalia Jackson And Martin...
News
Rihanna, Reagan Gomez, And More React To Trump Being Out Of ...
Entertainment
Twitter Wants Janelle Monáe To Be The Next Willy Wonka, Her...
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now