Michelle Obama Would Have Never Worn These 10 Outfits as First Lady

Michelle Obama is currently on a book tour for her new memoir, Becoming, and she is using her wardrobe to separate herself from her FLOTUS persona. She is wearing outfits and labels that are far away from her traditional styling—leaning on trouser suits, cult Instagram brands like By Far, and trend-led touches such as '80s-inspired crystal brooches and saddle bags.

Obama has also been wearing a lot of white, with highlights including a crisp wide-leg ivory jumpsuit and a white trouser suit. Anne-Marie Curtis, the editor in chief of Elle UK, met Obama and said to the Guardian of her use of color, “She was wearing a cream trouser suit and very high stilettos. She is extremely tall and incredibly toned, so she is seriously imposing. For her portraits in Elle, we wanted images that felt like fashion, but also a true portrait of her. There is a candor to wearing white that connects to the book, and how honest she is.”

Keep scrolling to see Michelle Obama's amazing book tour wardrobe.

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: In London at an event at the Southbank Centre, Michelle Obama wore a wide-leg ivory jumpsuit.

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: Here is another amazing white outfit from the FLOTUS: an ivory trouser suit for a talk with Tracee Ellis Ross.

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Style Notes: Michelle Obama is wearing lots of power suits, and here she wears a belted pinstriped trouser suit with a tan saddle bag and white heels.

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Style Notes: Michelle Obama added a 2018 spin to her black trouser suit, wearing a crystal pin under the lapel.

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: Obama wore black slim-leg trousers and an off-the-shoulder jacket with a pair of black boots by By Far.

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: We think the FLOTUS might be bringing back the waist belt with this all-black outfit.

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: Obama's denim trouser suit with a white T-shirt is a relaxed spin on suiting.

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(Image credit: Getty)

Style Notes: Obama's high-waisted charcoal trousers look amazing with her mock-croc black leather belt.

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(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Style Notes: The wrap silhouette of this jacket is really elegant. We're into her matching strappy sandals too. 

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(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Style Notes: This Akris trouser suit has a relaxed feel thanks to the white stitching.

Next up, see our guide to the key trends for spring/summer 2019.

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Emma Spedding