Michelle Obama style file: we chart the fashion history of the former First Lady as she brings her Becoming book tour to London

The fashionable former First Lady is returning to London with her wildly successful book tour 
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Chloe Street13 April 2019

From the moment Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in 2008, the world was transfixed by the woman at his side.

Michelle Obama's class, intellect and practical no-nonsense way of thinking has seen her become a role model for women all over the world.

And while no doubt the focus of her time in the White House and since has been to pursue worthy causes such as fighting obesity and promoting the education of young girls, no First Lady has had such an impact on fashion since Jackie Kennedy.

As we prepare for Michelle Obama to return to London on Sunday April 14 with her wildly successful book tour, we take a look at why she remains fashion's First Lady.

Michelle Obama arrives at an awards dinner in Washington, DC, September 17 2016. 
Getty Images

The Princeton-and-Harvard-educated lawyer is unapologetic in her enjoyment of fashion, and expertly mixes high end labels like Gucci and Carolina Herrera with affordable brands like J. Crew and Target, to create an approachable, relatable style.

She’s had a major role in propelling designers like Peter Pilotto, Thakoon and Jason Wu into the spotlight, and has even been the subject of a study by a New York University professor in the Harvard Business Review entitled “How This First Lady Moves Markets.”

And while she demonstrated an ability to use fashion as a tool—whether wearing local designers during official state visits abroad or championing young American design talents—she always dressed in a way that was true to her own taste and style.

In fact, in her third cover story for Vogue, she noted her primary decider when choosing an item of clothing was always “is it cute?”

Over the last decade in the spotlight, Michelle Obama's style has evolved from more formal skirt suits to embrace super feminine styles in bolder prints and hues.

A penchant for bare arms, waist belts and dramatic jewellery - a weighty pearl necklace being her go-to - the mother-of-two has never been known to shy away from a sartorial risk.

Click through our gallery above to take a look at the First Lady's iconic style through the years, and below to see how her daughters follow suit

Malia and Sasha Obama - style file

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Follow Chloe Street on Twitter @streetchloe

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