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45 Genius Style Lessons We Learned From Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama Style Lessons

45 Genius Style Lessons We Learned From Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama Style Lessons
Image Source: Getty

Being the first lady is by no means an easy job, but Michelle Obama always manages to do it in style. Whether she's stepping out on the red carpet at a formal function or she's just headed out for a walk with Barack, we've come to love how she always manages to give an elegant look her own surprising spin.

With some heavy-hitting designers in her corner (hello, Jason Wu, Ralph Lauren, and Tom Ford!), we've come to expect not just a great outfit but a bona fide style moment whenever she steps out of the White House. And while we may not have the occasion (or income) to copy every one of her iconic looks, there is still plenty to learn from her flawless FLOTUS style.

And for more on Michelle's fashion, check out:

  1. 13 Photos That Prove Malia Obama Is Slowly Morphing Into Michelle
  2. This Might Be the Most Simply Elegant Dress Michelle Obama Has Ever Worn
  3. The 1 Place Michelle Obama Really Wants to Shop (but Can't)

1 There's No Such Thing as a Hue Too Bright or a Print Too Bold

There's No Such Thing as a Hue Too Bright or a Print Too Bold
Image Source: Getty / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA

Wearing a Kenzo dress and Roksanda Ilincic belt during a trip to Tokyo in 2015.

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2 Sheer Doesn't Have to Be Overly Sexy

Sheer Doesn't Have to Be Overly Sexy
Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

Wearing a Monique Lhuillier gown to the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honors.

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3 Matching Your SO Is Pretty Darn Adorable

Matching Your SO Is Pretty Darn Adorable
Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
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4 When You Can Rock a Runway Look, Do it

When You Can Rock a Runway Look, Do it
Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

This Tanya Taylor tank dress actually took the form of a two-piece set on the designer's Spring 2014 runway.

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5 Ombré Is More Than Just a Hairstyle

Ombré Is More Than Just a Hairstyle
Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB
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6 A Great Midi Dress Will Take You From Work to Play

A Great Midi Dress Will Take You From Work to Play
Image Source: Getty / Paul Zimmerman

Wearing a custom floral-appliqué Naeem Khan dress.

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7 Never Underestimate the Power of Prints

Never Underestimate the Power of Prints
Image Source: Getty / Larry Marano
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8 When It's Your Moment in the Spotlight, Go All Out

When It's Your Moment in the Spotlight, Go All Out
Image Source: Getty / JEWEL SAMAD

Wearing a beaded blue silk faille Carolina Herrera gown and coordinated Sutra earrings.

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9 Black Tie Doesn't Mean Black Dress

Black Tie Doesn't Mean Black Dress
Image Source: Getty / Pool

Wearing a hand-draped gown by Marchesa in 2013.

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10 Plaid Isn't Just For Lumberjacks

Plaid Isn't Just For Lumberjacks
Image Source: Getty / Pool
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11 Keep an Eye Out For Affordable Fashion Finds

Keep an Eye Out For Affordable Fashion Finds
Image Source: Getty / JIM WATSON

In a yellow-and-white dress from Talbots.

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12 Boatneck Dresses Look Great on Land Too

Boatneck Dresses Look Great on Land Too
Image Source: Getty / MANDEL NGAN
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13 Relaxed Outfits Can Still Be Polished

Relaxed Outfits Can Still Be Polished
Image Source: Getty / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI
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14 When You're Sticking to One Color Head to Toe, Switch Up the Hue

When You're Sticking to One Color Head to Toe, Switch Up the Hue
Image Source: Getty / Chip Somodevilla

Wearing various shades of blue in Pretoria, South Africa.

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15 Khakis Aren't Just For the Guys

Khakis Aren't Just For the Guys
Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB

Wearing khaki cropped trousers and a printed blouse while visiting Dakar, Senegal, with the president.

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16 Outfit Repeating Is Totally Underrated

Outfit Repeating Is Totally Underrated
Image Source: Getty / NICHOLAS KAMM

Wearing a blue-printed Tracy Reese dress and flats.

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17 Always Opt For a Little Sparkle

Always Opt For a Little Sparkle
Image Source: Getty / JEWEL SAMAD

Wearing an embellished navy top and blue-and-gold pleated skirt.

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18 Match Your Shoes and Your Purse to Make an Outfit Feel Extra Put Together

Match Your Shoes and Your Purse to Make an Outfit Feel Extra Put Together
Image Source: Getty / Pool

Wearing a powder-blue Zac Posen set and sleek black accessories.

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19 Dressing to a Theme Doesn't Have to Be Cheesy

Dressing to a Theme Doesn't Have to Be Cheesy
Image Source: Getty / The White House

Wearing a custom-made silver art-deco-inspired Naeem Khan gown on Oscars night in 2012.

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20 A Long Red Dress Will Always Make a Statement

A Long Red Dress Will Always Make a Statement
Image Source: Getty / Joe Raedle

In a custom ruby chiffon and velvet gown by Jason Wu and Jimmy Choo shoes.

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21 A Matching Dress and Jacket Make For Serious Power Suiting

A Matching Dress and Jacket Make For Serious Power Suiting
Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB

Wearing a custom ivory wool-appliqué Naeem Khan coat and matching sleeveless dress.

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22 Sometimes an Outfit Is All About the Accessories

Sometimes an Outfit Is All About the Accessories
Image Source: Getty / Win McNamee

Wearing a Thom Browne coat with a J.Crew embellished belt, suede knee-high boots, and berry-hued gloves.

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23 Bold Hues and Prints are Great, but Sometimes It's the Material That Makes the Dress

Bold Hues and Prints are Great, but Sometimes It's the Material That Makes the Dress
Image Source: Getty / Alex Wong

Wearing a pink-and-gold toile Tracy Reese dress and J.Crew pumps.

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24 Black Will Always Look Great, but Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Color to Stand Out From the Crowd

Black Will Always Look Great, but Sometimes It Takes a Pop of Color to Stand Out From the Crowd
Image Source: Getty / Pool
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25 Keep All Eyes on Your Dress by Choosing Simple Shoes

Keep All Eyes on Your Dress by Choosing Simple Shoes
Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB

Wearing a boldly printed Duro Olowu dress and tan pumps.

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26 Sometimes a Well-Dressed Date Is the Ultimate Accessory

Sometimes a Well-Dressed Date Is the Ultimate Accessory
Image Source: Getty / Mark Wilson

Wearing a red-and-black gown by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

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27 Add Personality to a Formal Look by Mismatching Your Shoes

Add Personality to a Formal Look by Mismatching Your Shoes
Image Source: Getty / Pool

In a custom, lemon-hued Isabel Toledo coat and dress with olive-green leather gloves and her favorite green Jimmy Choo shoes.

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28 A Dress Looks Totally Different When You Throw Something Unexpected on Top

A Dress Looks Totally Different When You Throw Something Unexpected on Top
Image Source: Getty / WPA Pool

Wearing a Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garçons asymmetrical cardigan, a Jason Wu dress, and green Jimmy Choo shoes.

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29 White Gowns Aren't Just For a Wedding

White Gowns Aren't Just For a Wedding
Image Source: Getty / Mark Wilson

Wearing a white ethereal Jason Wu gown on the night of President Obama's inaugural ball.

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30 Add Gloves For an Extra Bit of Elegance

Add Gloves For an Extra Bit of Elegance
Image Source: Getty / AFP

Wearing a cream Tom Ford gown at a state dinner at Buckingham Palace.

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31 Putting a Brooch on It Is a Lot More Chic Than You Think

Putting a Brooch on It Is a Lot More Chic Than You Think
Image Source: Getty / WPA Pool

Wearing a purple ombré Peter Som dress and coat.

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32 If You're Meeting the Queen, Wear Your Very Best

If You're Meeting the Queen, Wear Your Very Best
Image Source: Getty / Anwar Hussein

Wearing a Ralph Lauren gown for a dinner at the US Embassy in London.

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33 Invest in an Arsenal of Great Coats

Invest in an Arsenal of Great Coats
Image Source: Getty / Mark Wilson
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34 A Statement Necklace WIll Never Go Out of Style

A Statement Necklace WIll Never Go Out of Style
Image Source: Getty / Pool

Wearing a one-of-a-kind Peter Soronen gown and layered pearl necklace.

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35 You Can Never Go Wrong With J.Crew

You Can Never Go Wrong With J.Crew
Image Source: Getty / Kevin Winter/NBCUniversal

Wearing a J.Crew skirt and a gold-toned Michael Kors top.

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36 It's Surprisingly Easy to Dress Up a T-Shirt

It's Surprisingly Easy to Dress Up a T-Shirt
Image Source: Getty / Mike Fuentes
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37 If You've Got a Favorite Body Part, Flaunt It

If You've Got a Favorite Body Part, Flaunt It
Image Source: Getty / Alex Wong

In an elegant off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown with strands of Tom Binns pearls.

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38 You Can Dress Your Age and Still Have Fun With it

You Can Dress Your Age and Still Have Fun With it
Image Source: Charley Gallay/KCA2012/Getty Images for KCA

In a Wes Gordon top with Helmut Lang foil jeans.

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39 Matching Your Mom Is Actually Pretty Cool

Matching Your Mom Is Actually Pretty Cool
Image Source: Getty / Dan Kitwood

Wearing a Preen dress.

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40 There's Nothing Wrong With a Little Retro Influence

There's Nothing Wrong With a Little Retro Influence
Image Source: Getty / Pool

Wearing Carolina Herrera.

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41 Add a Belt For an Extraslimming Effect

Add a Belt For an Extraslimming Effect
Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB
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42 Never Feel Obligated to Blend In

Never Feel Obligated to Blend In
Image Source: Getty / SAUL LOEB
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43 Florals Aren't Just a Spring Thing

Florals Aren't Just a Spring Thing
Image Source: Getty / Karwai Tang
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