The striking First Lady is now quite the established fashionista. Evoking memories of Jackie Kennedy, everything Michelle Obama wears is followed closely. The fascination with her elegance and unconventional dressing choices, and the interest in her 2009 Presidential inaugural dresses, was huge.
Here are pictures of Michelle Obama’s 2009 Presidential Inaugural and Pre-Inaugural dresses and gowns.

2009 Presidential whistle-stop train tour dress:

Michelle Obama in the dress she wore for the whistle-stop train tour

On January 17, 2009, Michelle Obama wore a blue sweater with a purple cardigan for the whistle-stop tour from Pennsylvania to Washington DC.

Michelle Obama in the dress she wore on the whistle-stop train tour on her birthday

She added a blackcoat with bell sleeves to go with the outfit.
Opening 2009 Presidential Inaugural ceremony dress:

Michelle Obama in the Inaugural dress she wore at the Lincoln Memorial

At the 2009 Pre-Presidential Inaugural opening ceremony, on January 20, 2008, Michelle Obama wore a camel coat and skirt with a black silk beaded top and scarf, by designer Narcisco Rodriguez.

Michelle Obama in a Narcisco Rodriguez outfit on the 2009 Presidential Inaugural opening ceremony day

Michelle Obama’s outfit for the 2009 presidential inaugural ceremony

Michelle Obama wore a yellow outfit for the 2009 Presidential Inaugural ceremony

For the 2009 presidential inaugural swearing-in and parade, Michelle Obama wore a striking ensemble designed by cuban-born avante garde designer Isabel Toledo. The yellow outfit and coat made of lace brocade and lined with silk is a stand-out dress by traditional First Lady outfits.

Michelle Obama wore pale green leather gloves along with her presidential inaugural outfit and a delicate necklace with stones. Michelle also wore teal green Jimmy Choo shoes with kitten heels.

Inaugural Neighborhood Ball dress

Michelle and Barack Obama at their first dance at the Inaugural Neighborhood ball

For the traditional inaugural balls, Michelle Obama wore a stunning one-shoulder chiffon, white ball gown with ruffles, sparkling beading, and applique work. The dress has been designed by Jason Wu, and will be donated to the Smithsonian as is the tradition for inaugural dresses.

Michelle and Barack Obama on Inaugural night on January 20, 2009

The outfits chosen by Michelle Obama reflect her eclectic style. She is not afraid to wear clothes designed by up-and-coming designers as well as the established ones. For instance, Isabel Toledo is not very well know and Jason Wu is only 26 years old, and has yet to make a mark for himself.

But, at the same time, Michelle Obama also chose her gloves and shoes from J. Crew.

Michelle Obama in her white gown designed by Jason Wu

While there are critics who do not approve of Michelle Obama’s style of dressing, the people seems to love it.
Some have even compared her to Jackie Kennedy in terms of possessing a distinct style.

Jackie Kennedy, with John F Kennedy, in a white gown on Inaugural night

Take for instance, the Black and White sundress Michelle Obama wore to NBC’s The View. The First Lady had picked up the dress from a retail chain store called White House/Black Market. Within days, the store ran out of stock of the $148 dress designed by Donna Ricco.

In 2008, Michelle Obama was included in People magazine’s Best Dressed List for 2008. The list comprised A-listers like Sarah Jessica Parker, Rihanna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Heidi Klum, singer Fergie, Charlize Theron, Kate Hudson, Eva Mendes and Anne Hathaway. In fact, many have likened Michelle Obama’s style to that of Sarah Jessica Parker’s, effortlessly mixing high-end and affordably priced wear, albeit more conservative.