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Home • Fashion

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool

The many ways Mrs. O wears spring's must-have transitional piece.
By Celia L. Smith · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
Spring Fever

The First Lady is giving us fever in this fabulous floral dress and cream cardigan –– such a spring moment.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
02
Dreamy Dress

Who could forget this powder blue ombré “toile de joie” dress by Boy. By Band of Outsiders and matching periwinkle cardigan?

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
03
In The Navy

This navy monochromatic moment couldn’t have been more chic for the First Lady.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
04
Sunshine State

This beautifully embroidered cardigan is bright enough to put a smile on our face!

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
05
Playful Pieces

This painted piece Mrs. O’s sporting shows she doesn’t take fashion so seriously.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images
06
Short & Sweet

The First Lady has met her match. This fab fuschia draped style is shown off equisitely when paired with a cropped bolero style cardigan.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
07
Crop Star

The versatility of a cropped cardigan is endless. Here, the First Lady re-works the style over a sheath dress for a fashion forward navy blue and black combo.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
08
Cozy Kind

What’s cozier than a draped cardigan while jet-setting to China? The First Lady keeps it cute and comfortable on Air Force One.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
Feng Li/Getty Images)
09
Cream of The Crop

Taking her cardigan to chic short lengths allows Mrs. O to show off her striped hi-waist skirt.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
10
Peachy Keen

Michelle Obama pulls together a pretty peach look complete with a 3/4" sleeve cardigan at the White House’s annual Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
11
Easter Elegance

The First Lady’s Brooch pins her cropped cardigan gracefully over her Thakoon sheath dress for an elegant Easter Sunday.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
12
Shades of Grey

Mrs. O masters this monochromatic moment with a heather grey cardigan over a similar shade Moschino sheath dress while supporting military families in Arlington Virginia.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
Getty Images
13
Presidential Empire

The First Lady’s cropped cardigan is the perfect piece for her beautifully printed Isabel Toledo empire waist dress.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
14
Classic Moment

Mrs. O brings life to a somber moment at Pearl Harbor in a vibrant green dress complete with her classic black cardigan.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
15
Colorblock Cardi

The First Lady takes a fashionable twist by adding a wide orange leather belt to a yellow cardigan for a bolder impact.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
16
Casual Color Moment

Here, Mrs. O takes the same cardigan and plays up the colorblocking trend with her daughters by selecting punchy shades that work amazing together.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
17
Scarlet A

Mrs. O’s flower embellished cardigan makes an already lovely look even lovelier.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
18
Little Black Cardi

In solemn elegance the First Lady sports her classic cardigan with an LBD and matching wide belt.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
19
Crimson Tide

Pinning her cardigan with a brooch adds a pretty touch to this cute crimson look.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
20
Rosey Outlook

The First Lady plays up her lace floral patterned cardigan with a simple rose brooch.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
21
Sitting Pretty

The First Lady keeps it simple in a khaki colored skirt and crisp off white cardigan.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
22
Argyle Culture

Michelle Obama’s argyle pastel-colored cardigan sweater softens up her charcoal pleated skirt.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
23
Embellished Beauty

One of her most stunning cardigans is this pearl embellished style. When worn with a wrist full of pearl bracelets it creates a really luxe look.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
24
Spring Fresh

Fresh for Spring, the First Lady mixes a soft printed dress with a sea foam, short sleeve cardigan.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
25
Prize Look

Mrs. O goes for the gold, wearing a metallic jacquard dress and matching cardigan at the Nobel Prize ceremony.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
26
Hi-Yellow

Mrs. O is a ray of sunshine on the stage with the President. Her yellow bow-front dress and matching short sleeve cardigan brightens up the moment.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
27
Golden Moment

The First Lady pairs another gold jacquard look with a cardigan, this time a two-toned color pulled together with an over sized belt.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
28
Flower Child

Mrs. O sports a flower appliqued cardigan to go with her colorful floral dress.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
29
Classic Cardigans

First Lady Michelle Obama wears an outfit that can easiily transition from from day to evening — a white ruffled blouse, and graphic print skirt complemented by a hunter green cardigan cinched with a wide belt.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
30
Classic Black

Another simple but stunning black on black moment for Mrs. O.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
31
Bow Tie Beauty

First Lady Michelle Obama wears a scene stealing, bow-front Moschino blouse with her signature black cardigan and widebelt.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
32
Classic Cardigans

Michelle Obama wears a purple dress with a black belt, pearl necklace and black cardigan on the day Barack Obama accepts the Democratic Presidential Nomination.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
33
Classic Cardigans
Mrs. O looks lovely in this romantic lace number sweetly brooched with a rose.
First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
34
Classic Cardigans

Michelle Obama chooses a rich navy cardigan to balance out the pretty prints in this outfit.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
35
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First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
36
Classic Cardigans

A cardigan may seem simple, but in the hands of Michelle Obama, it is as stylish and sophisticated as a garment gets. The First Lady has consistently selected this style staple for every outing – from casual family events to stately political ones. See how she wears it and be inspired…

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
37
Classic Cardigans

The First Lady sparkles in this sweet ivory sweater with rich red embellishments.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
38
Classic Cardigans

Mrs. Obama sports pretty pink layers in this cardigan and dress set on the Ellen show.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
39
Classic Cardigans

We love the floral details on this peach of a sweater worn by the First Lady on interviews.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
40
Classic Cardigan

The first lady looks bright and beautiful in her butter yellow cardigan and tank twin set.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
41
Classic Cardigan

The First Lady selects a gorgeous floral print cardigan as she volunteers to serve the troops and their families.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
42
Classic Cardigans

The First Lady and daughters are mellow in yellow tanks and sweaters. We love the contrast between the rich blues and bright yellows in Mrs. O’s ensemble.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
43
Classic Cardigans

The pop of pink provided by Mrs. Obama’s cardigan adds a fresh, fun vibe to her classic sheath.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
44
Classic Cardigans

This long, duo-ribbed cardigan looks sleek and sophisticated on the First Lady.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool
45
Classic Cardigans

Mrs. O looks gorgeous in this rich red belted cardigan.

First Lady Style: Cardigan Cool