MICHELLE OBAMA REVEALS THE SUBTLE HIDDEN MEANINGS BEHIND HER EVER-EVOLVING FASHION

• The former First Lady, 61, opened up about her White House fashion in her book
• She spoke about her style evolution over the eight years as the First Lady

Almost a decade after leaving the White House, Michelle Obama is ready to open her closet to the world and share more about her fashion choices as the First Lady of the United States.

In her new book, titled The Look, Michelle, 61, delves into her savvy ensembles and her 'style evolution' during husband Barack Obama's two presidential terms - as well as the messages she was subtly trying to portray through them.

The author, who holds the title for the First Lady with the most US Vogue covers, also opened up about the pressures she faced as the first Black First Lady in the White House, with her style choices often picked apart.

'I understood that fashion was another opportunity for me to message to the world who I am and what I believe in,' she wrote.

Michelle explained that while every choice a First Lady makes is widely scrutinized, she knew her circumstances were a little different.

'I had the privilege to seek advice from Laura Bush and Hillary Clinton, who were especially open and generous,' the podcast host continued. 

She added: 'While I appreciated their candor, I was mindful that I'd be subject to a different set of expectations as the first Black woman to fill this role.'

Michelle, who famously made waves by showing her bare arms while Barack gave a speech in congress in 2009, also spoke about the criticism she faced over her decision to wear short sleeves.

'Barack and I were being portrayed as Black people who didn't understand the "rules" of the rarefied world we had found ourselves in and were not unequivocally welcomed into,' she wrote. 

'And yet, the upside was the number of women who told me they felt more comfortable showing their arms after seeing me in these dresses or tops,' Michelle continued, pointing out former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy had also worn sleeveless outfits.

However, she chose to see the positive, writing: 'I was honored that those people saw my arms as a symbol of strength.'

Michelle, who was the First Lady from 2009 to 2017, admitted that as her husband's presidency continued and he was re-elected, she felt more comfortable dressing in a more daring way.

'A fashion risk was no longer fodder for the re-election, I felt like I could start "coloring outside the lines - let's wear some more suits! Let's be a little sexy! Let's cut bangs!"' she enthused.

She also spoke of the agonizing detail that went into choosing every element of her ensembles, noting the 'cost and context of each outfit was important.'

While admitting she 'didn't always get it right,' she always aimed to be 'relatable and accessible' with what she was wearing.

'I also wanted to be comfortable. I wanted to be able to move and fully engage, and for my clothes to send the message that others could feel comfortable connecting with me too,' Michelle explained.

This entailed wearing flats instead of heels whenever she was going to an event with children, so her outfit would allow her to play and interact with them.

'I also learned to avoid white, especially if I knew I would be greeting people in a rope line and pressing any number of faces, some wearing foundation, blush, or lipstick, into my shoulders for tight hugs,' she shared.

Michelle also referenced Barack's swearing in ceremony in 2009 where she wore a lemon shift dress with a matching coat created by the Cuban American designer Isabel Toledo.

'The color was both sunny and optimistic, which was the right tone for this day - for me, for Barack, for our daughters, and for so many people who had flooded Washington, D.C., on that bitterly cold morning for the inauguration,' she pointed out.

Michelle collaborated with her stylist, Meredith Koop, to create The Look, which took two years to complete. 

Last week, the former First Lady shared that her stylist also helped style her daughters, who were then young girls.

The couple's two daughters, Malia, now 27, and Sasha, now 24, were just eight and 10 when they were thrust into the limelight and parents Barack and Michelle had to make sure they were dressed appropriately for public outings. 

Lifting the lid, Michelle said: 'So we had a deal - "You work with [my stylist] Meredith [Koop] when dressing for public events."

'What's "in" for a 13-year-old is not acceptable walking down the staircase of Air Force One.

'It was like, "When you're with us, you're like me, you're on a job. And so your choices can't lead, but you can be a part of the process."

'Meredith worked with them and she had those [fashion] fights. But in their own world it was all them.'

Michelle then revealed her husband sometimes had a hard time with his daughter's outfits.

'Barack would be like, "Those shorts seem really short." And I was like, "Don't say anything. Let them cook,"' she added.

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2025-11-04T15:38:09Z