Michelle Obama’s Style After the White House

She’s got it going on! After serving up nonstop glamor as first lady, Michelle Obama has proved her killer fashion sense extends far beyond her 8-year stint in the White House.

The Chicago native first caught the world’s eye as she stood beside her husband, Barack Obama, during his presidential campaign back in 2007. Once he was sworn into office, Michelle garnered a reputation as a polished fashionista. She even put many now-famous designers on the map, including Jason Wu. The Becoming author famously turned heads in a white chiffon asymmetrical gown by the designer, who was only 26 years old at the time, during Barack’s 2009 inaugural ball.

Wu himself was shocked by Michelle’s decision to wear his creation. “It’s difficult to describe,” he told The New York Times one day after the celebration. “I was over the moon. I know I am an unusual choice for a first lady. I didn’t think it was my turn yet.”

Other standout White House fashion moments from the Princeton University alum include the orangey-red Alexander McQueen gown she wore to the 2011 state dinner, the crisscross Tom Ford number at the 2011 British state banquet, the black off-the-shoulder Vera Wang dress at the 2015 state dinner and the sparkly custom Atelier Versace for the 2016 state dinner.

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Since the end of her time in Washington, D.C., Michelle hasn’t skipped a beat on the fashion front. If anything, she’s only gotten bolder. While continuing to evoke pure elegance, the attorney has started taking some more style risks — and we are here for it.

As she separated herself from the first lady, she’s tried a couple of daring choices, including an unforgettable pair of thigh-high sparkly boots from Balenciaga that cost almost $4,000 — which she wore during the Brooklyn stop of her Becoming book tour in December 2018.

Michelle opened up about her fashion evolution in her Becoming documentary, which premiered on Netflix in 2020, calling her post-White House choices “freeing.”

She continued: “Now that we’re out of the White House, not to be viewed, judged and parceled by every other person on the planet yeah it is — it’s better.”

Flash forward to 2022, Michelle turned up the heat when she kicked off her The Light We Carry book tour.

Alongside Elle DeGeneres, at the Warner Theater in Washington, D.C., the Harvard Law School alum wowed in an all-denim outfit from Ganni’s resort 2023 collection. The look included a waist-cinching jacket and wide-leg trousers, which Michelle paired with glossy red boots.

To see all of Michelle’s major style moments since leaving the White House, scroll through the photos below. We promise you will not be disappointed.

While promoting her second book in Washington, D.C. in December 2022, the activist wore a Marine Serre dress that was transformed into a top — which featured deconstructed bandanas at the bodice — with a pair of Balmain jeans.

When she announced her book The Light We Carry in November 2022, Michelle looked as chic as ever in a denim ensemble by Ganni and Stuart Weitzman boots.

At the U.S. Open in September 2022, Michelle kept it cool in a pinstriped balloon blouse and coordinating trousers.

During the unveiling of her and Barack’s White House portrait in September 2022, she looked whimsical ombre dress by Christy Rilling.

The “Becoming” author attended the presidential inauguration wearing the same designer as Vice President Kamala Harris. On January 20, 2021, Obama dazzled in a plum pant ensemble from Sergio Hudson, which she accessorized with ​​​Stuart Weitzman boots, leather gloves and a silk face mask.

When delivering a speech at the Democratic National Convention on August 17, 2020, the Becoming author paired her Nanushka brown silk brown blouse with a 14-karat gold “Vote” necklace by the Black-owned brand By Chari. 

While delivering her “Dear Class of 2020” graduation speech, the former first lady wore a deep V-neck white top that was crisp, stylish and anything but boring on June 7, 2020.

The former first lady spoke at an Obama Foundation event in Malaysia on December 12, 2019, donning a black and white ensemble complete with cropped trousers, a paisley print blouse and chic dark loafers.

On July 25, 2019, the former FLOTUS was spotted in New York City wearing the most beautiful white knee-length dress paired with brown wedges, giving Us major summer wardrobe inspo.

Looking extra jazzy in a sequin-covered jumpsuit, the Chicago native attended Essence Festival on July 6, 2019, donning a belted blue sequin jumpsuit by Sergio Hudson.

The former first lady looked sleek and cool in a metallic silver pantsuit on May 12, 2020,  while speaking in Nashville on her Becoming book tour.

At a book tour stop in Atlanta on May 11, 2019, the mom of two stunned in a bright violet suit with a black sequin top underneath the belted jacket.

Taking her book tour to Amsterdam on April 17, 2019, the author rocked a sustainably made shimmering pantsuit by Ronald van der Kemp. 

When visiting Paris for her European book tour on April 16, 2019, the former First Lady wore an orange striped suit with a silky texture and loose fit that’s giving Us chic pajama vibes in the most sophisticated way. 

During her sold-out talk at London’s O2 on April 14, 2019, the former FLOTUS wore a custom Stella McCartney jumpsuit with gold embellishments, large gold Jennifer Fisher hoops and classic black Jimmy Choo heels.

Continuing her international book tour in Oslo, Norway, on April 11, 2019, the former first lady served up boss-lady vibes in her sparkly bespoke suit by Norwegian designer Peter Dundas. The black two-piece featured fierce panther detailing on the arms and lapels. 

The former FLOTUS kicked off her European book tour in Copenhagen on April 9, 2019, stunning in a $2,000 pastel pink suit designed by local up-and-comer Stine Goya paired with Jimmy Choo pumps. 

At the NYC stop of her Becoming book tour on Wednesday, December 19, the former First Lady sat down with Sarah Jessica Parker in a silky yellow Balenciaga gown that she paired with fierce $3,900 sparkly thigh-high boots from the brand that Carrie Bradshaw would no doubt approve of.  

The former First Lady was dressed in a blue pantsuit while discussing her book Becoming in Boston on November 24, 2018. 

In a custom Christopher Kane crystal-embellished jacket and pants during her book tour in Washington, DC. on November 17, 2018.

Obama was styled in a black pantsuit for her appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! where she was promoting her new book, Becoming on November 14, 2018.

Obama greeted the crowd dressed in a white suit at the Forum during the Becoming: An Intimate Conversation with Michelle Obama event on November 15.

The former First Lady wore a blue denim suit with a white tunic underneath to students at Para Los Ninos in L.A. on November 15. 

The author kicked off her book tour in Chicago on November 13 wearing a chic black suit.

Obama spoke with 21 female students in Chicago at her alma mater Whitney Young Magnet High School on November 12. The former First Lady wore a tailored Akris denim suit and gray suede heels for the occasion.

The former First Lady celebrated International Day of the Girl in NYC on NBC’s Today show on Oct. 11, 2018. Michelle wore a long-sleeve white belted dress and posed alongside Karlie Kloss, Zendaya, Freida Pinto, Kelly Clarkson and Meghan Trainor in an epic selfie.

The former First Lady attended Beyonce and Jay-z’s concert in Paris on July 15, 2018 and looked just as stylish for the occasion as you’d expect. Dressed in all white and showing major leg, she enjoyed the show alongside Queen Bey’s mom Tina Knowles. 

The former FLOTUS spoke at the American Library Association on June 22, 2018, wearing a neon-green print dress from Tanya Taylor that was as beautiful as it was bold. 

When speaking with Tracee Ellis Ross on May 5, 2018, at The United State of Women Summit, the former first lady wore a cream-colored dress with matching chunky-heel sandals. Some brow-grazing fringe also made a rare appearance.

Michelle Obama attended the 2018 School Counselor of the Year Celebration in Washington D.C. on Friday, February 2, wearing a beautiful black Rodarte blouse with floral embroidered tulle and dotted lace —  striking the perfect looking-forward-to-spring-but-still-weather-appropriate note.

Obama looked casual-chic on the beach in a white bikini top and cut-off shorts in Miami on January 13, 2018.

Barack Obama snuck in a last kiss at the White House before leaving the office at the end of his presidency on January 20, 2017. For her final first lady look, Michelle wore a burgundy short-sleeved, a-line silhouette dress by Jason Wu with black heels.

The former first lady was seen leaving Upland restaurant in NYC after having lunch with Barack and U2’s Bono on March 10, 2017. Michelle rocked a cool gray trench coat, a white and black blouse and skinny-leg black pants. 

Michelle donned a Lafayette 158 color block sundress and strappy heels during an American Institute of Architects conference in Orlando, Florida on April 27, 2017.

Michelle wore a bell-sleeve black dress with white dot accents during a discussion about the future Obama Presidential Center on May 3, 2017 in Chicago. 

The former first lady wore a gray Princeton T-shirt, her alma mater, with gray jeans and a long gray cardigan at the MTV’s 2017 College Signing Day on May 5, 2017 in NYC. 

Michelle modeled a high-low striped blouse with a wide statement belt at the Healthier America summit in D.C. on May 12, 2017. 

Former FLOTUS looked lovely in a pink one-shoulder Teija top, white distressed jeans and a Jimmy Choo cross-body bag while sightseeing in Montalcino, Italy on May 20, 2017. 

Michelle looked sunning in a white Club Monaco off-the-shoulder blouse and high-waisted olive colored pants while out in Sienna, Italy on May 22, 2017. 

The former first lady presented the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2017 ESPY Awards on July 12, 2017. She wore a Cushnie et Ochs dress, which she coupled with two Hearts of Fire rings — worth over $20,000! 

Michelle wore a long-sleeve pink floral dress with white pumps during a live conversation with The Women’s Foundation of Colorado President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel in Denver, Colorado on July 25, 2017.

The former first lady of the United States wore a black pinstripe midi dress embellished with buttons throughout and black ankle strapped heels at the Pennsylvania Conference For Women 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 3, 2017

Michelle was fashioned in a long-sleeve black and white Naeem Khan dress with black heels during the Special Evening with Former First Lady Michelle Obama event with David Letterman in NYC on October 25, 2017.