Why Michelle Obama Will Always Be One of My Style Icons

If you ask me who my top style inspirations are, without hesitation, Michelle Obama will be at the top of my list. She is the perfect blend of class, sophistication and a down-to-earth, approachable aura that radiates from her everywhere she goes. This blend is felt not only in her image and style but also in who she is as a person, as much as you can know a person from afar. We have seen her in both beautiful runway couture as well as in brands more attainable by everyday women (who could forget when J.Crew sold out of nearly every dress she wore?!). Yet even in the most expensive garments, she is still, as she often says 'just a girl from the south side of Chicago.' Glamorous yes, but also grounded, strong, and beautifully human and deeply aware of the power of her platform and the experiences of those who do not share it. I still remember the moment she did push-ups with Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu. She was poised and playful, powerful and present. She reminds us that clothes may express who we are, but they do not replace who we are or make us who we are. Beneath the impeccably tailored clothes and stunning gowns is a woman as real and everyday as any of us, besides that little former First Lady of the United States thing.

“The thing about clothes that I find is that they can welcome people in or they can keep people away..."

-Michelle Obama

In her new book, Michelle gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like getting dressed as the First Lady and while she does put her pants on one leg at a time like the rest of us, the decisions behind which pants, skirt, or dress she put on were far from simple. Can you imagine being scrutinized for your clothing choices not just by friends, coworkers, and occasional online critics but by people across the entire free world?

For most of us, “What am I going to wear today?” is a personal question. For her, it had the potential to be front-page international news.

Michelle’s longtime stylist has also shared fascinating insight into what went into wardrobe planning. She shared the process of selecting looks for Michelle and it is far more complex than simply flipping through racks of beautiful dresses and picking the favorites . Every outfit had to support not just her image, but her responsibilities. They considered details most of us never think about including: color and fabric choices based on how many people she might be hugging at an event (some fabrics show stains or wrinkles faster than others), mobility and movement, especially when she was engaging with children and might be bending or kneeling as well as layering options for long days that started in heels and a chic top but required pieces she could add or remove depending on weather, travel, and press schedules. Footwear also needed flexibility so she could switch from heels to flats if she needed to go from sitting in meetings to walking for extended periods. That level of planning wasn’t about perfection, it was about function, dignity, comfort, and message all working together. Style, in her world, was never accidental. It was a carefully and meticulously orchestrated strategy.

Here’s the fascinating irony: while the world constantly discussed her clothing, Michelle made an intentional decision not to talk about what she was wearing while she was in the White House. She understood that as a Black woman in a position of extraordinary visibility, her image carried layers of meaning; political, cultural, personal and she refused to allow fashion to overshadow her message, her work, and her presence. And yet, even in silence, she used clothing strategically and powerfully to honor designers from underrepresented communities, to reflect the tone of significant moments, and to communicate strength, relatability, and dignity.

At The Visual Effect ICA, we believe that image is not vanity, it is vocabulary. What we wear introduces us before we ever speak. Michelle Obama shows us exactly what it means to use that vocabulary with intention, integrity, and confidence. Just like Michelle, I celebrate authenticity, confidence and expressing ones inner being over aiming for perfection. I believe in style with purpose. While we may not have a title like the First Lady of the United States, she is a reminder that you don’t need a famous title to dress with meaning. Your style can tell your story, advocate for your values, and honor who you are becoming.

If you’re ready to redefine how you show up, in your career, your relationships, or simply in your everyday life, I would love to support you. Through The Visual Effect ICA, I help women and professionals curate wardrobes that feel like them, shop with intention, align their visual identity with their goals.

Whether you’re preparing for a new season in life, a new career opportunity, or a renewed relationship with yourself, your style can support your transformation. If you are ready to step into your next level with confidence and clarity, I am here and I want to help you.

Because like Michelle, you deserve a look that honors exactly who you are and who you are becoming.

With Style & Grace,

-Bianca