Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • 2025 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • Fashion

First Lady Style: Go Bold

Get inspired by Mrs. O's vibrant style.
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
01
It’s Electric

Michelle Obama shows off bold dance moves and equally bold color in this Zero + Maria Cornejo neon green tank.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
02
Pleat Peeks

Mrs. Obama sports a perfectly pleated skirt with pops of color — a wonderful vacation piece.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
03
Sunshine Style

Michelle Obama brings sunshine yellow to Brazil in this outfit. Her Iranian Turquoise necklace by Lucifer vir Honestus adds a great contrast.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
04
Bright Life

A bright blouse by Zero + Maria Cornejo is the outfit of choice for Mrs. O as she departs Chile.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
05
Tickled Pink

Michelle Obama is pretty in a pink draped dress, topped off with her signature broach.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
06
Jaw-Dropping Jewels

This body-con sheath is beautiful on Mrs. O, as is her statement necklace!

First Lady Style: Go Bold
07
Think Pink

This pink Talbots sheath is a First Lady favorite — she’s worn the style on several occasions.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
08
Blue Away

Mrs. O wears the color-block trend well with this sorbet-colored ensemble.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
09
Blue Belle

The First Lady is a beauty in a blue Isabel Toledo tunic set.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
10
Mint Condition

This Peter Som mint blue dress was one of our favorites during Mrs. O’s tour of New Delhi, India.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
11
Clearly Stylish

The clear PVC belt further emphasizes her monochromatic ensemble. Trés chic!

First Lady Style: Go Bold
12
Citrus Chic

Mrs. O is brighter than ever on stage in this orange shift.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
13
Cool Cardigan

The First Lady pairs a bright yellow cardigan and orange belt with a bold printed dress that takes her look to the top.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
14
Elegance Personified

This simple dress, paired with statement earrings, shows off the sophisticated essence of Mrs. O’s style.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
15
A Bold Move

This bold burnt orange suit is accented nicely with a printed ribbon belt which adds more spice to an already hot ensemble.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
16
In Living Color

Another look at the suit shows how gorgeous the bright color looks against Mrs. Obama’s skin.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
17
Well Suited

Mrs. Obama selects an exuberant orange skirt suit with a bright, printed blouse for her meeting with Nelson Mandela.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
18
Striped Style

We love this boldly striped Marc by Marc Jacobs dress Mrs. Obama wore at the end of the family’s South American trip.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
19
Perfect Match

Mother and daughter serve matching style in a apricot colored skirt and top.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
20
Pop Star

The First Lady looks radiant in this bright pink cardigan.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
21
Pink Perfection

Here, she pairs her pretty printed Barbara Tfank dress with a gorgeous pink cropped swing jacket, also by Tfank.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
22
Coral Cool

Mrs. Obama gets an “A” for this coral silk jacquard Rachel Roy sheath! She complimented it with Phillips Frankel amazonite and ruby earrings.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
23
1211013
First Lady Style: Go Bold
24
1211113
First Lady Style: Go Bold
25
1211083
First Lady Style: Go Bold
26
In Living Color

This glam green gown by Michael Kors looks gorgeous on the First Lady.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
27
In Living Color

Mrs. O glows in this yellow, one shoulder Prabal Gurung dress.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
28
In Living Color

This yellow sheath provides the perfect pop of color, especially when accented with Mrs. O’s green flower brooch.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
29
In Living Color

Who else could make a monochrome greene Stephen Burrows suit look good but Michelle Obama? We love the green on green monochrome feel.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
30
1211043
First Lady Style: Go Bold
31
1211053
First Lady Style: Go Bold
32
1211003
First Lady Style: Go Bold
33
1210963
First Lady Style: Go Bold
34
1211023
First Lady Style: Go Bold
35
1210973
First Lady Style: Go Bold
36
1211133
First Lady Style: Go Bold
37
1211093
First Lady Style: Go Bold
38
1211143
First Lady Style: Go Bold
39
1210953
First Lady Style: Go Bold
40
1211073
First Lady Style: Go Bold
41
In Living Color

Michelle Obama and wife of Vice President, Mrs. Joe Biden visit Sesame Street. We love that Mrs. O selected a ruched Jean Paul Gaultier top for this appearance.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
42
In Living Color

Michelle Obama brings lots of yellow sunshine to Brazil with this outfit, accented with an Iranian Turquoise necklace by Lucifer vir Honestus.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
43
In Living Color

Another look at the suit shows how gorgeous the bright color looks against Mrs. O’s skin.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
44
In Living Color

We love this Lady in red. Mrs. O’ commits to the color by wearing it from head to toe.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
45
In Living Color

This rich red belted cardigan is outstanding for its rich color and easy chic. One of our favorites!

First Lady Style: Go Bold
46
In Living Color

This electric blue dress is as simple as it is sophisticated. We love the First Lady’s classic pearls as an accent.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
47
In Living Color

We’re loving the First Lady’s printed draped dress (worn as a tunic) from the Gap. But what caught our eye? The lime green Lambertson Truex tote!

First Lady Style: Go Bold
48
In Living Color

We love the bright colored pattern on this A-line dress worn by Mrs. Obama. Special points for the stacked bracelets and earrings.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
49
In Living Color

Michelle Obama is pretty in this Preen ensemble. Take note of the gorgeous green pumps she pairs this blue skirt suit with. Kudos for the orange Cathy Waterman earrings which add an extra splash of color.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
50
797683
First Lady Style: Go Bold
51
797563
First Lady Style: Go Bold
52
In Living Color

Mrs. O looks flawless in this wool sheath dress and jacket, both by Michael Kors.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
53
In Living Color

This rich Calvin Klein sheath remains one of our favorite First Lady ensembles of 2010.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
54
797643
First Lady Style: Go Bold
55
In Living Color

The First Lady drapes her rich red Jason Wu silk dress with a signature cardigan by L’Wren Scott.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
56
In Living Color

We give a high five to the First Lady too for this vibrant red sheath!

First Lady Style: Go Bold
57
797733
First Lady Style: Go Bold
58
797693
First Lady Style: Go Bold
59
797603
First Lady Style: Go Bold
60
797743
First Lady Style: Go Bold
61
797453
First Lady Style: Go Bold
62
798103
First Lady Style: Go Bold
63
797503
First Lady Style: Go Bold
64
798053
First Lady Style: Go Bold
65
797703
First Lady Style: Go Bold
66
797513
First Lady Style: Go Bold
67
In Living Color

This shimmering, one shouldered blue gown looks splendid on our First Lady.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
68
In Living Color

This gorgeous Blue Ribbon Lace Dress is a 1950’s vintage piece from New York Vintage. We love the selection for Mrs. O’s trip to Chile.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
69
797533
First Lady Style: Go Bold
70
In Living Color

We’re in love with Mrs. O’s Roksanda Ilincic purple dress and bright blue wool coat by Narciso Rodriguez.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
71
797763
First Lady Style: Go Bold
72
In Living Color

This pretty, strapless, lilac gown shows off Mrs. O’s graceful shoulders and glowing skin.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
73
797473
First Lady Style: Go Bold
74
In Living Color

Mrs. O, with Mr. President, pairs her favorite Alaia belt and pearls with this knee length purple number.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
75
In Living Color

The rich contrast of yellow and green in this blouse pops in this photo of Mrs. O in South Africa.

First Lady Style: Go Bold
76
797583
First Lady Style: Go Bold
77
797673
First Lady Style: Go Bold
78
797713
First Lady Style: Go Bold
79
798123
First Lady Style: Go Bold