Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more!
Barack and Michelle Obama's Style Evolution: From Southside to White House
POTUS and FLOTUS stay coordinated, but it wasn't always that way.
The new feature film Southside With You dramatizes Barack and Michelle Obama's first date in 1989, when Janet Jackson was on the radio and their White House dream hadn't yet been imagined. Flash forward 27 years and America's First Couple is about to start a new chapter of their life post-presidency—and you can bet they'll look smashing while doing it. You've seen how Michelle slayed FLOTUS style during their time in DC. Now it's time to appreciate how flawless they've looked as a couple:
2007
These pre-campaign trail cuties hadn't yet started matching color schemes with their outfits, but their closeness was already palpable. #relationshipgoals
2008
They'd sorted out their coordination game by the time the election year rolled around, though. That's when we first got a glimpse of Michelle's flair for fine designers like Narciso Rodriguez, who created her red and black sheath dress for the historic night.
2009
Barack didn't get into the Halloween spirit as fully as Michelle for their first holiday, but he dressed so that her outfit really brought out the rawr.
2010
Barack's jeans got a bit more mom-ish circa 2010 as Michelle was becoming an early icon of athleisure.
2011
The couple's style was playful and loving as Barack neared the end of his first term. 2011 was the year of Michelle's infatuation with wearing hearts, including a striped number by Tracy Reese. . .
. . . and a bright sweater by J. Crew.
2012
Michelle looked chic in Michael Kors on election night. Frugal fashionistas noticed that she'd rocked the dress a few different times before, and noted that there's something refreshing about a First Lady who recycles.
2013
For her second inaugural gown, Michelle once again turned to designer Jason Wu, the man behind her unforgettable white dress in 2009. The President also went bold, choosing a white bow tie instead of a typical black one.
2014
Barack and Michelle always look on point for Easter, when their clothes are at their most spring fresh. It's also when they seem the most relaxed in a public appearance, closest to how we might imagine them behind closed doors, where we think they're probably still coordinating.
Their church service outfits epitomize class, and check out how her clutch matches his tie! Adorable.
2015
With his wife draped in custom mermaid Vera Wang (and sporting the most glamourous hairstyle of her White House tenure), Barack looks like The Man Who Has It All. Elegance personified.
2016
These guys have their whole aesthetic down pat at this point, they probably just automatically match each day without consulting each other first.
Michelle has been a muse for Indian-American designer Naeem Khan for years, and his floral dress that she wore to a state dinner in Havana exemplifies her confident style as it stands right now.
The Lookbook is Bravo's home for inspiring content and experiences that feed fashionistas with a steady diet of share-worthy styles, personalities, and industry news. Like us on Facebook to stay connected to our daily updates.
