Michelle Obama's most notable style moments

Michelle Obama rose to fashion-icon status as first lady and has continued to make bold choices as a best-selling author, speaker, and public figure. Together with longtime stylist Meredith Koop, she often selects outfits whose color, designer, or details feel deliberately symbolic.

One early memorable look was a fiery-red Narciso Rodriguez dress on election night in 2008, which she paired with a simple black cardigan. Her inaugural and state-dinner gowns drew widespread attention: a floor-length white Jason Wu with organza flowers at the 2009 inaugural ball, a champagne Naeem Khan at a state dinner honoring the Indian prime minister, and a bright-red Alexander McQueen gown at a 2011 state dinner that prompted debate.

When asked about designer choices, she said, "I don't buy a designer, I buy a dress. I buy the thing that looks good." For a 2011 banquet with the British royal family she wore a white Tom Ford gown accessorized with white gloves and a silver sequined clutch.

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