Oh how we will miss the inimitable fashion sensibility of Michelle Obama when she and the President leave the White House next January. Aided at first by Chicago fashion boutique owner, Ikram Goldman, and latterly by Goldman protégée, Meredith Koop, she has demonstrated a soigne style not seen on a First Lady since the days of Nancy Reagan in the '80s and Jackie Kennedy in the '60s.
As an ambassador for American fashion design, FLOTUS is unparalleled. Jason Wu, Narciso Rodriguez and Naeem Khan, have joined Ralph Lauren and Michael Kors in becoming household names thanks to her patronage.
When it comes to evening gowns, she has it down pat, choosing styles that a tall woman (she's 5' 11") can carry off and that accentuate one of her best features, fabulously toned arms.
While we wait to see what FLOTUS wears tonight at her final state dinner, let's look back at her best evening gowns.
For the state dinner at the White House in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel on June 7, 2011, Mrs Obama stepped out in a design by Naeem Khan. The ivory, v-neck column dress featured silver beads, white sequins and metallic thread in a geometric pattern.ReutersU.S. first lady Michelle Obama and U.S. President Barack Obama wait for the arrival of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore and his wife Ho Ching on the North Portico of the White House August 2, 2016 in Washington, DC. The Obamas are hosting the prime minister and his wife for an official state dinner. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Chip Somodevilla/Getty ImagesAt the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 46th annual Legislative Conference Phoenix Awards Dinner in Washington, September 17, 2016, FLOTUS wore a strapless gown in metallic gold from Naeem Khan REUTERS/Yuri GripasFor the China State Dinner at the White House, The First Lady wore a stunning off-the-shoulder Vera Wang gown with a V-notch neckline and a mermaid hem. REUTERS/Mike TheilerFor a reception for 2014 Kennedy Center honorees in the East Room at the White House in Washington December 7, 2014, The First Lady wore a blush-colored embroidered gown from Monique Lhuillier. ReutersFor a NATO summit dinner in Baden-Baden, Germany, The First Lady wore a black sleeveless cocktail dress with a ruffled skirt by Azzedine Alaia. ReutersFor a White House black-tie dinner with the nation's governors on Feb. 22, 2009, in Washington, FLOTUS wore a sparkling strapless pewter gown from Peter Soronen. ReutersFor the Nobel Peace Prize banquet in Oslo, Dec. 10, 2009, Mrs. Obama wore a pale blue evening gown by Azzedine Alaia.ReutersFor a dinner with Israeli President Shimon Peres on June 13, 2002, The First Lady wore a classic one-shouldered black gown with gold chain belt designed by Michael Kors. ReutersMichelle Obama wore a teal off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown to a state dinner honoring British Prime Minister David Cameron at the White House in Washington on March 14, 2012.ReutersAt a reception for the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors recipients at the White House, December 8, 2013. FLOTUS wore a strapless green chiffon gown by Marchesa. REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstFLOTUS stands with Gabrielle Union wearing a scarlet organza one-shoulder J. Mendel gown on January 14, 2012, for the BET Honors.
ReutersMichelle Obama poses in the Music Room of Buckingham Palace ahead of a State Banquet on May 24, 2011 in London, England in a white Grecian-style gown by Tom Ford and opera-length gloves
Getty ImagesThe FLOTUS wore Carolina Herrera to a state dinner with French President Francois Hollande in 2014.REUTERS/Jonathan ErnstFor her first important occasion as First Lady, Michelle Obama wore a one-shouldered white gown from young American designer Jason Wu for the Inaugural Ball in January 2009. Getty ImagesMrs. Obama donned a purple, one-shoulder jersey gown with a jeweled belt by Korean-American designer Doo-Ri Chung for a state dinner with the South Korean President and his wife.
ReutersFLOTUS wore an emerald green sleeveless dress designed by Stevie Wonder's wife, Kai Milla when in February 2009 she and President Obama host "Stevie Wonder In Performance at the White House: The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize" Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty ImagesFor The Commander-In-Chief's Inaugural Ball, January 21, 2013, FLOTUS once again wore a Jason Wu design. This time, a shimmering red halter-necked gown. Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesFLOTUS wore a red-and-black full-length gown by Alexander McQueen for the State Dinner with Chinese President Hu Jintao on January 19, 2011.ReutersFor a State Dinner she and The President hosted for the Indian prime minister on November 24, 2009, FLOTUS wore a strapless nude-colored gown with silver embellishment from Naeem Khan. ReutersTo host the Canadian State Dinner at the White House in March 2016, FLOTUS chose a strapless print gown with thigh high front slit by Jason Wu. The strapless midnight blue dress featured an elaborate floral jacquard pattern and asymmetrical draping. ReutersFor a dinner at the residence of the Ambassador of the United States of America in London, May 25, 2011, The First Lady wore a black off-the-shoulder gown by Ralph Lauren. Getty Images/Yui Mok/PA WireAt the State Dinner honoring Mexican President Felipe Calderon and his wife Margarita Zavala on May 19, 2010, the first lady stepped out in a one-shoulder, electric blue gown by New York designer Peter Soronen.
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