Popsugar Fashion Celebrity Fashion Michelle Obama Style Lessons 37 Genius Style Lessons We Learned From Michelle Obama 10 January 2020 by Aemilia Madden Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin Being the first lady of America is by no means an easy job, but Michelle Obama always manages to do it in style. Whether she's stepping out on the red carpet at a formal function or she's just headed out for a walk with Barack, we've come to love how she always manages to give an elegant look her own surprising spin. With some heavy-hitting designers in her corner (hello, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford!), we've come to expect not just a great outfit but a bona fide style moment whenever she steps out of the White House. And while we may not have the occasion (or income) to copy every one of her iconic looks, there is still plenty to learn from her flawless FLOTUS style. And for more on Michelle's fashion, check out: 13 Photos That Prove Malia Obama Is Slowly Morphing Into Michelle This Might Be the Most Simply Elegant Dress Michelle Obama Has Ever Worn The 1 Place Michelle Obama Really Wants to Shop (but Can't) 1 Sheer Doesn't Have to Be Overly Sexy Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI Wearing a Monique Lhuillier gown to the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honours. 1 / 37 2 Matching Your SO Is Pretty Adorable Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI 2 / 37 3 Ombré Is More Than Just a Hairstyle Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB 3 / 37 4 Relaxed Outfits Can Still Be Polished Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI 4 / 37 5 Bold Hues and Prints are Great, but Sometimes It's the Material That Makes the Dress Image Source: Getty / Alex Wong Wearing a pink-and-gold toile Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew pumps. 5 / 37 6 Black Will Always Look Great, but Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Colour to Stand Out From the Crowd Image Source: Getty / Pool 6 / 37 7 Add Personality to a Formal Look by Mismatching Your Shoes Image Source: Getty / Pool In a custom, lemon-hued Isabel Toledo coat and dress with olive-green leather gloves and her favourite green Jimmy Choo shoes. 7 / 37 8 White Gowns Aren't Just For a Wedding Image Source: Getty / Mark Wilson Wearing a white ethereal Jason Wu gown on the night of President Obama's inaugural ball. 8 / 37 9 Add Gloves For an Extra Bit of Elegance Image Source: Getty / AFP Wearing a cream Tom Ford gown at a state dinner at Buckingham Palace. 9 / 37 10 If You're Meeting the Queen, Wear Your Very Best Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein Wearing a Ralph Lauren gown for a dinner at the US Embassy in London. 10 / 37 11 You Can Never Go Wrong With J.Crew Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter/NBCUniversal Wearing a J.Crew skirt and a gold-toned Michael Kors top. 11 / 37 12 There's Nothing Wrong With a Little Retro Influence Image Source: Getty / Pool Wearing Carolina Herrera. 12 / 37 13 Being Bold Is a Great Thing Image Source: Getty / Dia Dipasupil Wearing a bright yellow dress and thigh-high gold Balenciaga boots. 13 / 37 14 Classic Pantsuits and Sparkles Are a Perfect Pair Image Source: Getty / Paras Griffin Wearing a purple custom Sergio Hudson pantsuit and a sparkly bustier. 14 / 37 15 There's No Such Thing as a Hue Too Bright or a Print Too Bold Image Source: Getty / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA Wearing a Kenzo dress and Roksanda Ilincic belt during a trip to Tokyo in 2015. 15 / 37 16 Tropical Prints Aren't Just For Dads Image Source: Splash News Online Wearing Mary Katrantzou in June 2015. 16 / 37 17 A Great Midi Dress Will Take You From Work to Play Image Source: Getty / Paul Zimmerman Wearing a custom floral-appliqué Naeem Khan dress. 17 / 37 18 When It's Your Moment in the Spotlight, Go All Out Image Source: Getty / JEWEL SAMAD Wearing a beaded blue silk faille Carolina Herrera gown and coordinated Sutra earrings. 18 / 37 19 Black Tie Doesn't Mean Black Dress Image Source: Getty / Pool Wearing a hand-draped gown by Marchesa in 2013. 19 / 37 20 Plaid Isn't Just For Lumberjacks Image Source: Getty / Pool 20 / 37 21 Keep an Eye Out For Affordable Fashion Finds Image Source: Getty / JIM WATSON In a yellow-and-white dress from Talbots. 21 / 37 22 Boatneck Dresses Look Great on Land Too Image Source: Getty / MANDEL NGAN 22 / 37 23 When You're Sticking to One Colour Head to Toe, Switch Up the Hue Image Source: Getty / Chip Somodevilla Wearing various shades of blue in Pretoria, South Africa. 23 / 37 24 Khakis Aren't Just For the Guys Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB Wearing khaki cropped trousers and a printed blouse while visiting Dakar, Senegal, with the president. 24 / 37 25 Match Your Shoes and Your Bag to Make an Outfit Feel Extra Put Together Image Source: Getty / Pool Wearing a powder-blue Zac Posen set and sleek black accessories. 25 / 37 26 Dressing to a Theme Doesn't Have to Be Cheesy Image Source: Getty / The White House Wearing a custom-made silver art-deco-inspired Naeem Khan gown on Oscars night in 2012. 26 / 37 27 A Long Red Dress Will Always Make a Statement Image Source: Getty / Joe Raedle In a custom ruby chiffon and velvet gown by Jason Wu and Jimmy Choo shoes. 27 / 37 28 A Matching Dress and Jacket Make For Serious Power Suiting Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB Wearing a custom ivory wool-appliqué Naeem Khan coat and matching sleeveless dress. 28 / 37 29 Sometimes a Well-Dressed Date Is the Ultimate Accessory Image Source: Getty / Mark Wilson Wearing a red-and-black gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. 29 / 37 30 Putting a Brooch on It Is a Lot More Chic Than You Think Image Source: Getty / WPA Pool Wearing a purple ombré Peter Som dress and coat. 30 / 37 31 Invest in an Arsenal of Great Coats Image Source: Getty / Mark Wilson 31 / 37 32 A Statement Necklace WIll Never Go Out of Style Image Source: Getty / Pool Wearing a one-of-a-kind Peter Soronen gown and layered pearl necklace. 32 / 37 33 If You've Got a Favourite Body Part, Flaunt It Image Source: Getty / Alex Wong In an elegant off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown with strands of Tom Binns pearls. 33 / 37 34 Add a Belt For an Extraslimming Effect Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB 34 / 37 35 Never Feel Obligated to Blend In Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB 35 / 37 36 Have a Little Surprise Up Your Sleeve Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur Wearing a silver sparkly power suit. 36 / 37 37 Don't Be Afraid to Sparkle and Shine Image Source: Getty / Erika Goldring Wearing a custom Sergio Hudson sequinned jumpsuit. 37 / 37 Celebrity FashionStyle How-ToMichelle ObamaCelebrity LookbookTracy ReeseJimmy ChooFashion DesignersJason WuTom FordRalph Lauren