{"id":45841,"date":"2011-08-16T07:00:13","date_gmt":"2011-08-16T12:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/?p=45841"},"modified":"2025-10-18T09:33:08","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T15:33:08","slug":"michelle-obama-style-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/fashion-trends\/michelle-obama-style-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrity style deconstructed: Michelle obama"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Winning over the fashion critics can be as difficult as getting elected into public office. And as her husband rose to power in the political realm, Michelle Obama proved she, too, was a force to be reckoned with. It\u2019s not just her strong, yet elegant demeanor or her obvious intelligence that won the world over. For many, it was her style that&#8217;s a blend of the timeless and classic with a touch of bold that made us love her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>From her signature nipped-waist dresses and embellished cardigans to those shoulder-baring gowns and bold graphic prints, Mrs. Obama established her style status way back when she joined her husband on the campaign trail in 2008. And her impact on fashion is unmistakable. It was once estimated that the first lady had generated a cool $2.7 billion in sales from an army of chic copycats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Effortlessly, Mrs. Obama is able to mix American designers such as Thakoon, Isaac Mizrahi and <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/kors-michael\/\" title=\"Designer spotlight: Michael Kors\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"4252\">Michael Kors<\/a> with affordable wears from Talbots, J.Crew and Banana Republic. Oh yes, she\u2019s a <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/dress-for-success-budget-tips\/\" title=\"8 ways to dress for success on a budget\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"4382\">budget fashionista<\/a> just like the rest of us, only with a few extra tricks up her perfectly tailored sleeve. Want to capture a little of her magic for yourself? Here\u2019s what you need to know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get Michelle obama&#8217;s style<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. mix frugal finds with designer duds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"736\" height=\"1128\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/michelle-obama-style.jpg\" alt=\"Michelle Obama black floral dress\" class=\"wp-image-126563\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/michelle-obama-style.jpg 736w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/michelle-obama-style-196x300.jpg 196w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/michelle-obama-style-294x450.jpg 294w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 736px) 100vw, 736px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>She\u2019ll wear Alexander McQueen one day and a $34 H&amp;M dress the next. And sometimes, she&#8217;ll even mix couture with off-the-rack in the same outfit. She wears ASOS and J.Crew regularly when making appearances, but she never, ever goes cheap on jewelry, shoes, and outerwear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frugal picks<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"shopthepost-widget\" data-widget-id=\"3548245\">\r\n                <script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"javascript\">\r\n                    !function(d,s,id){\r\n                        var e, p = \/^http:\/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';\r\n                        if(!d.getElementById(id)) {\r\n                            e     = d.createElement(s);\r\n                            e.id  = id;\r\n                            e.src = p + ':\/\/widgets.rewardstyle.com\/js\/shopthepost.js';\r\n                            d.body.appendChild(e);\r\n                        }\r\n                        if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {\r\n                            window.__stp.init();\r\n                        }\r\n                    }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');\r\n                <\/script>\r\n                <div class=\"rs-adblock\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.rewardstyle.com\/images\/search\/350.gif\" style=\"width:15px;height:15px;\" onerror=\"this.parentNode.innerHTML=&#039;Turn off your ad blocker to view content&#039;\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\r\n                    <noscript>Turn on your JavaScript to view content<\/noscript>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The same should be true for you. Jewelry, shoes and outerwear cannot be faked. And the real deal can actually make a $15 dress from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/forever-21-bankruptcy\/\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"175\">Forever 21<\/a> look chic. We\u2019re all about the Banana Republic cardigans and Gap pants, but when it comes to brooches, heels and coats, we\u2019ve got to choke it up and cough up the cash. As Michelle knows well, it\u2019s worth it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Designer accessories<\/h4>\n\n\n<div class=\"shopthepost-widget\" data-widget-id=\"3548256\">\r\n                <script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"javascript\">\r\n                    !function(d,s,id){\r\n                        var e, p = \/^http:\/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';\r\n                        if(!d.getElementById(id)) {\r\n                            e     = d.createElement(s);\r\n                            e.id  = id;\r\n                            e.src = p + ':\/\/widgets.rewardstyle.com\/js\/shopthepost.js';\r\n                            d.body.appendChild(e);\r\n                        }\r\n                        if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {\r\n                            window.__stp.init();\r\n                        }\r\n                    }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');\r\n                <\/script>\r\n                <div class=\"rs-adblock\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.rewardstyle.com\/images\/search\/350.gif\" style=\"width:15px;height:15px;\" onerror=\"this.parentNode.innerHTML=&#039;Turn off your ad blocker to view content&#039;\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\r\n                    <noscript>Turn on your JavaScript to view content<\/noscript>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Show off your playful side<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/playful-side-michelle-obama.jpg\" alt=\"Collage of Michelle Obama wearing colorful dresses\" class=\"wp-image-45844\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/playful-side-michelle-obama.jpg 333w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/playful-side-michelle-obama-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/playful-side-michelle-obama-65x65.jpg 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><figcaption>Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/michelle-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Edgard Garrido\/Reuters\/Landov<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><g id=\"wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\" fill=\"none\" clip-path=\"url(#clip0_31_188)\">\r\n                            <path d=\"M9.16724 14.8891L20.1672 3.88908\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M13.4497 3.53554L20.5208 3.53554L20.5208 10.6066\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/>\r\n                            <path d=\"M17.5 13.5L17.5 16.26C17.5 17.4179 17.5 17.9968 17.2675 18.4359C17.0799 18.7902 16.7902 19.0799 16.4359 19.2675C15.9968 19.5 15.4179 19.5 14.26 19.5L7.74 19.5C6.58213 19.5 6.0032 19.5 5.56414 19.2675C5.20983 19.0799 4.92007 18.7902 4.73247 18.4359C4.5 17.9968 4.5 17.4179 4.5 16.26L4.5 9.74C4.5 8.58213 4.5 8.0032 4.73247 7.56414C4.92007 7.20983 5.20982 6.92007 5.56414 6.73247C6.0032 6.5 6.58213 6.5 7.74 6.5L11 6.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/>\r\n                        <\/g>\r\n                        <defs>\r\n                            <clipPath id=\"clip0_31_188\">\r\n                                <rect fill=\"white\" height=\"24\" width=\"24\"\/>\r\n                            <\/clipPath>\r\n                        <\/defs><\/svg><\/span><\/a> and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/michelle-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Felipe Dana\/AP<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Mrs. O can upstage almost any royal, political figure or celebrity she mingles with because of one trait: playfulness. While other VIPs show up in neutrals, sheath dresses we\u2019ve seen 100 times before and nude pantyhose, Michelle stands out from the crowd in floral prints, bright colors and fun accessories. Whatever the occasion and whomever your company, you can do the same.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"shopthepost-widget\" data-widget-id=\"3548335\">\r\n                <script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"javascript\">\r\n                    !function(d,s,id){\r\n                        var e, p = \/^http:\/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';\r\n                        if(!d.getElementById(id)) {\r\n                            e     = d.createElement(s);\r\n                            e.id  = id;\r\n                            e.src = p + ':\/\/widgets.rewardstyle.com\/js\/shopthepost.js';\r\n                            d.body.appendChild(e);\r\n                        }\r\n                        if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {\r\n                            window.__stp.init();\r\n                        }\r\n                    }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');\r\n                <\/script>\r\n                <div class=\"rs-adblock\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.rewardstyle.com\/images\/search\/350.gif\" style=\"width:15px;height:15px;\" onerror=\"this.parentNode.innerHTML=&#039;Turn off your ad blocker to view content&#039;\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\r\n                    <noscript>Turn on your JavaScript to view content<\/noscript>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. But Don\u2019t break the rules<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/michelle-obama-staples.jpg\" alt=\"MIchelle Obama wearing conservative black dress\" class=\"wp-image-45848\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/michelle-obama-staples.jpg 333w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/michelle-obama-staples-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/michelle-obama-staples-65x65.jpg 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><figcaption>Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/michelle-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Joyce Boghosian\/Reuters\/Landov<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> and&nbsp;Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Michelle has fun with her clothes, but she knows her limits. While she loves to play with colors and prints, she would never mess with short hemlines and plunging necklines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It may be tempting to cross a few lines in your attempt to add personality to your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/office-clothes\/\">work wardrobe<\/a> or an evening ensemble, but some rules, especially in Michelle\u2019s world, should not be broken. Take charge of your outfits, but have respect for decorum.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"shopthepost-widget\" data-widget-id=\"3548365\">\r\n                <script type=\"text\/javascript\" language=\"javascript\">\r\n                    !function(d,s,id){\r\n                        var e, p = \/^http:\/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';\r\n                        if(!d.getElementById(id)) {\r\n                            e     = d.createElement(s);\r\n                            e.id  = id;\r\n                            e.src = p + ':\/\/widgets.rewardstyle.com\/js\/shopthepost.js';\r\n                            d.body.appendChild(e);\r\n                        }\r\n                        if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {\r\n                            window.__stp.init();\r\n                        }\r\n                    }(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');\r\n                <\/script>\r\n                <div class=\"rs-adblock\">\r\n                    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/\/assets.rewardstyle.com\/images\/search\/350.gif\" style=\"width:15px;height:15px;\" onerror=\"this.parentNode.innerHTML=&#039;Turn off your ad blocker to view content&#039;\" alt=\"\" title=\"\">\r\n                    <noscript>Turn on your JavaScript to view content<\/noscript>\r\n                <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Stick with your staples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/staples-michelle-obama.jpg\" alt=\"Staples of Michelle Obama\" class=\"wp-image-45850\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/staples-michelle-obama.jpg 333w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/staples-michelle-obama-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/staples-michelle-obama-65x65.jpg 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><figcaption>Credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/michelle-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Petr Josek\/REUTERS\/Landov<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a> and&nbsp;Vogue<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A cardigan, a belt and a skirt or dress (a-line or sheath, she loves them both) are all you need to replicate 90% of Michelle\u2019s daytime looks. Find a wide belt in a neutral hue and pair it with a colorful cardi. Throw them on over a printed or bright-colored skirt or dress and voila! You\u2019ve mastered the \u201cMichelle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Shift your paradigm<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"333\" height=\"327\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/super-chic-soccer-mom.jpg\" alt=\"Super Chic Soccer Mom\" class=\"wp-image-45852\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/super-chic-soccer-mom.jpg 333w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/super-chic-soccer-mom-300x295.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/super-chic-soccer-mom-65x65.jpg 65w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 333px) 100vw, 333px\" \/><figcaption>Credits: <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/michelle-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Splash News Online<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a>&nbsp;and <a href=\"https:\/\/people.com\/tag\/michelle-obama\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Splash News Online<span class=\"wpil-link-icon\" title=\"Link goes to external site.\" style=\"margin: 0 0 0 5px;\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" style=\"height:16px; width:16px; fill:#000000; stroke:#000000; display:inline-block;\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:svg=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><use href=\"#wpil-svg-outbound-7-icon-path\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It may seem overwhelming to think of imitating the style of the former first lady, but she&#8217;s a relatively down-to-earth lady. Unless she\u2019s at a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/archive\/charity-gifts\/\">charity<\/a> ball, a tea with royalty or, say, an inauguration, Michelle\u2019s style reminds us mainly of a super chic soccer mom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After all, before being the first lady, a spokesperson for a variety of worthy causes and an international fashion sensation, she\u2019s first and foremost a wife and mother, and she dresses as such.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Winning over the fashion critics can be as difficult as getting elected into public office. And as her husband rose to power in the political realm, Michelle Obama proved she, too, was a force to be reckoned with. It\u2019s not just her strong, yet elegant demeanor or her obvious intelligence that won the world over.&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/fashion-trends\/michelle-obama-style-2\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">Read More &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Celebrity style deconstructed: Michelle obama<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":126564,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"","neve_meta_content_width":0,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[239],"class_list":["post-45841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fashion-trends","tag-celebrity-style"],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":126564,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/michelle-obama-fi-300x150.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45841"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45841\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/126564"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thebudgetfashionista.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}