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Everyday Icon: 8 Iconic Michelle Obama Looks and Why They Matter

Interview With Kate Betts About Everyday Icon Michelle Obama Book

Everyday Icon: 8 Iconic Michelle Obama Looks and Why They Matter

Interview With Kate Betts About Everyday Icon Michelle Obama Book
Image Source: Getty

"Michelle Obama is helping liberate a generation of women from the false idea that style and substance are mutually exclusive," explains fashion journalist Kate Betts. In her new book Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style, the former Harper's Bazaar editor-in-chief notes that historically first ladies had to choose between the role of traditional homemaker and caretaker (think Jackie Kennedy) or serious career women (Hillary Clinton). Much like their everyday counterparts. Whether or not they cultivated a personal style often reflected their decisions. But according to Kate, Michelle Obama has become the first to seem authentically herself in both camps. Michelle's synthesis of style and smarts, explains Kate, indicates that assumptions about women's roles have changed.

Kate told me in an interview that Michelle reminds us that our style can go beyond the latest fashion trends, and "become inextricably bound up in who we are and what we believe in." To give us a taste of her book, Kate selected a few iconic Michelle O outfits and identified what message each sends. Check them out now.

Rebirth

Rebirth
Image Source: Getty

"I loved the color of the Isabel Toledo swearing-in outfit because it symbolizes rebirth and new beginnings. I thought the sparkle in the fabric also gave the outfit such a special, glamorous feeling."

1 / 8

Blushing Bride

Blushing Bride
Image Source: Getty

"The Jason Wu inaugural gown reminded me of a wedding dress or a prom dress — but in a good way — it was so fresh and innocent."

2 / 8

Fashion Faceoff

Fashion Faceoff
Image Source: Getty

"In this Thakoon coat and dress, Michelle really did outshine Carla Bruni-Sarkozy at their meeting in Strasbourg, France. Not only did the First Lady look more naturally stylish, her outfit was more original and interesting."

3 / 8

Style in Motion

Style in Motion
Image Source: Getty

"An active lifestyle is also part of this First Lady's signature style. When she began jumping rope double dutch on the South Lawn at this Healthy Eating presentation, it was really a first for a first lady. Hard to imagine any other first lady jump roping."

4 / 8

Ladylike

Ladylike
Image Source: Getty

"This Tracy Feith dress, first seen the day after the inauguration in 2009, is made of a print inspired by Hawaiian gardens, a reference to her husband's heritage."

5 / 8

Warhol-Inspired

Warhol-Inspired
Image Source: Getty

"For her first state dinner, honoring the Indian prime minister, she chose a dress by the Indian designer Naeem Khan. The dress was reminiscent of a sari, but the fabric — all hand embroidered — was inspired by an Andy Warhol print."

6 / 8

Full of Surprises

Full of Surprises
Image Source: Getty

"Another glamorous state dinner dress, this one from Peter Soronen, who is a fantastic dressmaker and knows how to build a statement dress from the inside out, lots of corsetry. The color of this dress and the shimmer in the fabric was also a nice surprise."

7 / 8

No Fear

No Fear
Image Source: Getty

"For the state dinner honoring the Chinese president, Michelle Obama caused a bit of a controversy among Seventh Avenue designers by wearing a dress by the British label Alexander McQueen."

8 / 8
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