DRESSED FOR SUCCESS

From raising eyebrows with her sleeveless dresses to keeping her natural hair under wraps, Michelle Obama shares how she used style in her role as first lady

- COMPILED BY MELON RADEBE

WE'VE all stood in front of our wardrobes wondering, “What am I going to wear today?” For most of us that might mean choosing between comfort and style – but for Michelle Obama it meant a whole lot more.

During her White House years, critics homed in on everything from her sleeveless dresses that showed off her “too masculine” arms to what made her decide to mix designer pieces with everyday brands.

Yet through it all she kept a smile on her face and put her best fashion foot forward. And now, eight years after her first lady days came to an end, Michelle is telling her side of her sartorial story.

Her new book, The Look, features over 200 photographs showcasing around 100 different looks and also reveals how she used style as political strategy.

During her husband Barack’s first term as president, she focused on appearing accessible and feminine, ensuring clothes didn’t overshadow her work on education, the welfare of military families and children’s health.

“People looked forward to the outfits and once I got their attention, they listened to what I had to say,” she writes. “This is the soft power of fashion.”

Since leaving the White House, Michelle (61) has embraced bolder choices – from Balenciaga thigh-high sequined boots to ripped jeans and her natural hair. She admits she’s spent years yearning to be herself and is finally free to wear what she likes.

“During our family’s time in the White House, the way I looked was constantly being dissected,” she wrote on Instagram. “I’m thankful to be at a stage in life where I feel comfortable expressing myself freely – wearing what I love and doing what feels true to me.”

BEFORE her husband became president, Michelle’s practical style was shaped by her demanding career as a lawyer and university administrator. But even then she understood the power of fashion.