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Michelle Obama: her inimitable post-White House style in 10 looks

The previous First Lady is the current one’s nemesis, even in her fashion style

Feb 04, 2026 - 12:44CET

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When Michelle Obama ceased to be the First Lady of the United States, the fashion press, which had been watching her closely for eight years, began to notice two new phenomena: she no longer straightened her hair and her dress style became increasingly relaxed. Although she continued to convey a message of aspirational power, she no longer shied away from daring fashion choices that she would never have dared to make before. The greatest display of this new stylistic philosophy came during the promotion of her autobiography, at the first presentation of which she showed up in a lemon yellow Balenciaga tunic that left the whole world speechless. Five years have passed since then, and Mrs. Obama continues to surprise us with her very personal approach to fashion. Randy Holmes (Disney via Getty Images)

In that autobiography, she devoted an entire chapter to the media attention generated by her outfits: "People continue to judge women based on fashion. That's not right, it's not fair, but that's how it is. So fashion becomes something else. You turn it into a tool instead of being a victim of it," she explained. And so, with that philosophy, she achieved what she did in her last appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show: wearing one of Hervé Leger's legendary bandeau dresses, normally associated with a certain constriction, with a naturalness and lightness as if it were a tunic. Randy Holmes (Disney via Getty Images)

In this appearance, Michelle wore a very long curly ponytail, created using extensions. This type of hairstyle would have been unthinkable during her years in the White House, an issue she herself has addressed on several occasions due to the controversy it generates. In her memoir, she wrote about the natural hair movement, a celebration of braids, loose and tight, and other natural styles that coincided with her years as First Lady. At that time, many Black women were encouraged to take “the big chop,” a term used when chemically processed hair is cut off so that it can grow back in its natural curly state. She did not do so, but has confessed that she does not feel guilty about it: “In hindsight, it's very easy to say and think that I had the freedom to do so, but that's a complete fantasy.” PG/Bauer-Griffin (GC Images)

From her earliest days as the president's wife, the world's most renowned stylists were struck by her ability to dress well in inexpensive clothes from J. Crew or H&M and her keen eye for designer dresses by Michael Kors or Jason Wu, which were somewhat unusual among women in politics. Now, with all the experience she has under her belt, she has lost none of that talent or her naturalness.Gilbert Flores (Penske Media via Getty Images)

Michelle Obama looks — The Texan-style jacket and high-waisted jeans ensemble, adorned with corset-style lacing, which she wore to the recording of her first podcast with the famous Dr. Laurie, is proof of her special ability to embrace trends. It is by Rabanne. The cheerful color and youthful design underscored the positive message that Obama tries to convey in all her appearances, including this one at the SXSW festival in Austin. Gilbert Flores (Penske Media via Getty Images)

Interestingly, it was the tour she undertook at the end of 2025 to promote her new book, ‘The Look’, a volume devoted to analyzing her personal style, that gave her the opportunity to demonstrate once again her infallible sense of taste.CBS Photo Archive (CBS via Getty Images)

She appeared on Stephen Colbert's show wearing a black pencil dress with a faux strapless neckline finished with sheer tulle and pearl appliqués. It was a design by another one of her favorite designers, Simone Rocha. CBS Photo Archive (CBS via Getty Images)

As befits any self-respecting star, her look was not the same when she arrived as when she left. After the show, which was recorded at the Ed Sullivan Theater, she was seen wearing a black leather biker jacket with black flared pants and pointed-toe ankle boots with sensible heels. A very rocker choice. This time, however, her hair was straightened. Aeon (GC Images)

To see another spectacular look that is clearly related to the world of fashion and its most prominent creatives, we have to go back to 2024, when she attended Jennifer Hudson's show wearing a blazer and leather dress designed by Matthieu Blazy for Bottega Veneta. It wasn't long before it was announced that the designer was to become the new great hope of world fashion, taking over the reins at Chanel. Warner Bros. TV (Getty Images)

That same year, she was spotted leaving Alicia Keys' musical wearing a leather outfit and spectacularly long hair extensions tied back in a braid. She wore giant tribal-inspired earrings that would have been unthinkable during her years in the White House.Bruce Glikas (Bruce Glikas/WireImage)

In fact, it was during her appearances in support of Vice President Kamala Harris at the end of her election campaign that her commitment to visual codes clearly associated with the racial struggle attracted the most attention: at an event in Kalamazoo, Michigan, she took to the stage wearing an animal print suit by Theory that contrasted with her navy blue manicure.BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI (AFP via Getty Images)

Her freshness contrasted sharply with the more institutional tone that Kamala was forced to adopt, and whose limitations Michelle herself knows so well. That is why her choice of a radically natural hairstyle for these events has a double meaning. The Washington Post (The Washington Post via Getty Im)

Her hair was particularly talked about during the Democratic convention held in Chicago in August 2024. The jewelry, which was both striking and elegant, was by David Yurman. Tom Williams (CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag)

And although the hairstyle was clearly combative and unconventional for such a context, the rest of her outfit—a double-breasted suit with navy blue trousers—was reminiscent of her time as first lady. The design was by Monse, the brand created by Laura and Kim, two designers who made their big debut in the fashion world with Oscar de la Renta. This brand was a staple in Michelle's wardrobe during her years in the White House. The shoes were Jimmy Choo.The Washington Post (The Washington Post via Getty Im)

In 2023, she starred in one of the fashion highlights of the year thanks to a denim dress by Oscar de La Renta, which she wore to the US Open to pay tribute to tennis player Billie Jean King. Jean Catuffe (GC Images)

The dress had a spectacular strapless neckline, but she toned it down with a cropped navy blue cardigan with three-quarter sleeves. Jean Catuffe (GC Images)

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