Michelle Obama's style evolution in photos

Michelle Obama's fashion has shifted markedly over nearly 30 years in the public eye, moving from simple dresses to a wider range of looks that include suits, bold patterns, and symbolic touches. Through it all she has maintained a consistent approach to dressing: "I always say that women should wear whatever makes them feel good about themselves," she told Vogue in 2013.

In the early years she favored clean silhouettes and sleeveless styles. At the 2008 Democratic National Convention she wore a turquoise Maria Pinto dress, and on election night she chose a red Narciso Rodriguez wrap dress. For the 2009 inaugural ball she surprised observers in a white Jason Wu gown, and her first official portrait showed her in a high-neck Michael Kors dress.

Her White House wardrobe ranged from a gold Naeem Khan gown for a state dinner to an Alexander McQueen dress that prompted some designers to take issue because McQueen is British.

United States, Washington, D.C.

michelle obama, fashion, style evolution, maria pinto, narciso rodriguez, jason wu, michael kors, naeem khan, alexander mcqueen, white house