2. a Floor-Length Jason Wu White Gown at the Inaugural Ball, 2009

At the Inaugural Ball in 2009, Obama Stunned in a Floor-Length White Gown. Designed by Jason Wu, the Dress Featured Organza Flowers.

3. a Controversial Bright-Red Alexander Mcqueen Gown at a State Dinner, 2011

At a State Dinner with China, Obama Wore a Gown by British Designer Alexander Mcqueen, Despite Expectations That She Might Wear a Gown by an American Designer with Connections to China, the Daily Beast Reported at the Time.

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A White Gown Obama Wore During a 2011 Trip to London Remains One of Her Best Looks. She Wore the Airy Tom Ford Gown to a Banquet with Queen Elizabeth.

4. a Tom Ford Gown in White During a Trip to London, 2011

A White Gown Obama Wore During a 2011 Trip to London Remains One of Her Best Looks. She Wore the Airy Tom Ford Gown to a Banquet with Queen Elizabeth.

5. Meeting David Cameron in a Blue Marchesa Gown with a Statement Necklace, 2012

Wearing a Marchesa Gown, Obama Greeted Then-British Prime Minister David Cameron at a State Dinner.

6. Thom Browne Coat for Her Second Inauguration Day Parade, 2013

For Her Second Inauguration Day Parade, Obama Wore a Knee-Length Coat with a Belt. the Thom Browne Coat Was Made from Men’s Neckties.

7. a Silvery Dress to Announce the Winner of Academy Award for Best Picture, 2013

Obama Also Wore a Silvery Naeem Khan Dress to Announce the Winner of 2013’S Academy Award for Best Picture. She Paired It with Sparkly Earrings.

8. a Billowy, Blue Carolina Herrera Gown to a State Dinner, 2014

Carolina Herrera Designed This Dress for Obama’s French State Dinner.

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At the 100Th Annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2014, Obama Wore a Detailed White Dress. This Marchesa Gown Had a Dropped Shoulder and a Draped Sleeve with Embroidered Details That Really Made It Stand out Among the Crowd of a-Listers.

9. a Detailed White Dress at the 100Th Annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner, 2014

At the 100Th Annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 2014, Obama Wore a Detailed White Dress. This Marchesa Gown Had a Dropped Shoulder and a Draped Sleeve with Embroidered Details That Really Made It Stand out Among the Crowd of a-Listers.

10. a Vera Wang Mermaid-Style Gown at a State Dinner with China’s Prime Minister, 2015

At a State Dinner with Then-Prime Minister of China Xi Jinping in 2015, Obama Wore a Dress That Many Call Her Best Look to Date. the off-the-Shoulder, Mermaid-Style Gown Was Designed by Vera Wang.

11. a Yellow Narciso Rodriguez Dress for the State of the Union Address, 2016

Obama Chose a Simple Yellow Dress for 2016’S State of the Union Address. the Narciso Rodriguez Dress Sold out Online Before the Address Was Even Finished.

12. an Elegant Naeem Khan Gown at a State Dinner, 2016

Obama Wowed the Fashion World Again with Her Elegant Gown at a State Dinner in 2016. the Pale Dress Was Another One Designed by Naeem Khan.

13. a Versace Dress at Her Final State Dinner, 2016

At Her Final State Dinner, Obama Wore a Glistening Versace Dress.

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For Her Final Outfit as Flotus, Obama Wore Jason Wu, Marking a Significant End.

14. a Red Coat Dress at Donald Trump’s Inauguration, 2017

For Her Final Outfit as Flotus, Obama Wore Jason Wu, Marking a Significant End.

15. a Memorable Pantsuit on Her Book Tour, 2017

Obama Sported a Christopher Kane Black Pantsuit with an Eye-Catching Accessory on Her Book Tour.

16. Sparkly, Thigh-High Boots to a Book-Tour Event with Sarah Jessica Parker, 2018

She Wore Us$3,900, Sparkly, Thigh-High Boots to a Book-Tour Event with Sarah Jessica Parker. the Gold Sequin-Covered Boots Were from Balenciaga’s Spring/Summer 2019 Collection. She Paired the Look with a Long Yellow Silk Shirt Dress from the Same Brand.

17. Statement Purple Pantsuit on Her Book Tour, 2019

Obama Made a Statement on Her Book Tour with This Purple Pantsuit.

18. One of Her Most Daring Dresses Yet at the Smithsonian’s American Portrait Gala, 2019

At the Smithsonian’s American Portrait Gala in 2019, Obama Wore a Schiaparelli Haute Couture Gown, Which Had a Bust Neckline.

19. a Symbolic, Monochromatic Look at President Joe Biden’s Inauguration, 2021

Obama Wore a Silk Green Wrap Top and Matching Pants by Lafayette 148 New York to the Groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. She Accessorised with a Bychari Necklace, the Same Black-Owned Jewellery Brand That Designed the “Vote” Necklace She Wore to the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

20. Matching Outfit by Lafayette 148 New York at the Groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, 2020

Obama Wore a Silk Green Wrap Top and Matching Pants by Lafayette 148 New York to the Groundbreaking of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. She Accessorised with a Bychari Necklace, the Same Black-Owned Jewellery Brand That Designed the “Vote” Necklace She Wore to the 2020 Democratic National Convention.

21. an Edgy Leather Look While Promoting Her New Book, the Light We Carry, 2022

In December, She Promoted Her New Book, the Light We Carry, While Wearing an Edgy Leather Look. Her Leather Jacket and Matching Pants Were Designed by Palmer Harding. Grace Lee Jewellery and Studded Boots from Stuart Weitzman Completed the Look.

21 of Michelle Obama’s Best Style Moments Ever, from Jason Wu at Donald Trump’s Inauguration and a Tom Ford Gown to Dine with Queen Elizabeth, to Fashions from Versace and Alexander Mcqueen

By James H. Sterling

• Oct 8, 2026 • 8 min read

21 of Michelle Obama’s Best Style Moments Ever, from Jason Wu at Donald Trump’s Inauguration and a Tom Ford Gown to Dine with Queen Elizabeth, to Fashions from Versace and Alexander Mcqueen

Direct Answer • Key Takeaway

In 2008, Obama Wore a Memorable Fiery-Red Dress on Election Night. She Paired the Narciso Rodriguez Dress with a Simple Black Cardigan.

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

Tags: 21 michelle obamas best style moments ever jason wu donald trumps inauguration and tom ford gown