7 Trends Michelle Obama Never Would Have Worn in the White House

Free of the constraints of her weighty former role, it seems like Michelle Obama is having more fun with fashion than ever—and we're more than happy to be along for the ride. Yes, she often still sticks to the tried-and-true silhouettes she wore during her eight-year stint as the first lady, including pantsuits, but she's experimented with a wider range of looks in the last two years.

Overall, I've also noticed her shift from D.C.-approved structured sheath dresses to more flowy silhouettes, no doubt echoing her more laid-back lifestyle. And you can't possibly ignore the look that set the internet on fire: Michelle Obama's sparkly, thigh-high Balenciaga boots, which she teamed with an equally eye-catching bright yellow dress. It was the ultimate fashion statement and made us excited about what other surprises she might have up her sleeve.

In addition to trying out more daring trends, she's also been testing out It brands she hadn't worn before, including the extremely Instagram-friendly label By Far. Scroll down to see the trends Michelle Obama has been wearing in her post–White House days.

Attending Essence Fest in New Orleans, Obama wore a shimmering, disco-ready jumpsuit by Sergio Hudson that completely stole the show. 

You might as well separate Obama's style into BBB and ABB: Before Balenciaga Boots and After Balenciaga Boots. These glittery thigh-high shoes had the internet buzzing for days, and it's not hard to see why. What will it take to get her to the Balenciaga show during Paris Fashion Week?

While Obama wore plenty of colorful looks in the White House, they were typically in the form of structured shift dresses. Lately, she's been letting loose in flowy, silky outfits in neon colors that evoke a more laid-back vibe.

Not that we ever doubted her, but Obama managed to fit right in with Hollywood's biggest A-listers at the 2019 Grammy Awards in February. Her slouchy Sachin & Babi metallic outfit is in contrast to the business-like suits she wore as the first lady, and we're totally behind the style evolution.

During her time as first lady, Obama was extremely loyal to a handful of prestigious brands, including Jason Wu and Michael Kors. Lately, we've been spotting her in buzzy, Instagram-favorite labels like By Far, which counts It girls Bella Hadid and Jeanne Damas as fans.

Although Obama heavily favored dresses while in the White House, she did wear some strong trouser looks. However, this Givenchy look managed to take the humble work staple to the next level thanks to the extra high waist, which also happens to be fashion editor–approved.

Obama was rarely photographed carrying a bag during her White House days, but when she was, it was an understated, work-ready tote or perhaps a weekender bag if the family was headed on vacation. These days, we're reveling in her handbag collection, which adds a dose of personality to her looks.

Next, see how Kate Middleton styled skinny jeans with $50 sneakers from Amazon.