Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

Michelle Obama has been comfortable being in the background all her life. But with her husband's presidential campaign, she has been forced to embrace the spotlight and she's decided to make a fashion statment while at it. Her grace and style has brought on comparisons to former first lady Jackie O.
She's been criticised for being outspoken and has had to bear being a target for Republicans. She seems to take it all in her fashionable stride.
Take a look at some of Michelle's fashion moments during the presidential campaign.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

Michelle wore this textured skirt suit to a post primary rally in March.

It's conservative, safe and subdued. Perhaps she was trying not to attract attention to herself as her husband had lost the previous election in Ohio.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

This pic of Michelle and hubby was taken in 2005 when he was just the Senator of Illinois and they still had somewhat of a private life. This floral halterneck dress flatters her slim build.
She probably wouldn't wear something this revealing in public anymore as her style has been toned down a notch since the presidential campaign began.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

Bright as the sun!
Michelle is not afraid to experiement with colour. This classy one piece orange number works well with her complexion and suits her figure.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

While campaigning in Iowa recently Michelle opted for this three quarter skirt and cherise pink blouse. The thick black belt with giant buckle matches her pointed shoes and she looks comfortably fashionable.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

This purple dress has gone down as MFM (Michelle's Fashion Moment) to date. She wore it as few weeks ago the night her husband clinched the Democratic nomination.

This sleeveless little number has pushed the colour purple back into every woman's wardrobe.
The colour looks great on Michelle and seems to illuminate her skin. She matched it with a black studded belt and black shoes, and a white pearl necklace as a finishing touch, stunning!

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

She chose this little black dress for a fund raiser she organised. The guest list included other fashionable ladies with influence like California's first lady Maria Shriver, Caroline Kennedy and good old Oprah.

The black dress was broken by a thick studded black belt. Michelle has been quoted as saying " A great belt is one of my tricks. I'm big into belts. They make an outfit more interesting."

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

Only Michelle can manage to dress up a black t-shirt! There's that white nacklace again!
The black wrap-around linen skirt has beautiful embroided edges and is perfect for the hot American summer.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

The paps love Michelle and she always seems ready to be snapped.
She looks great in this red chemise and cardigan with linen pants on a day off the road. The gold chain dresses up an otherwise casual outfit by Michelle standards.

Michelle Obama: Dressed to win

She's the queen of understated chic. She often mixes and matches different pieces to get more mileage from her wardrobe while on the road and it works!
She's spotted here with relaxed linen pants, a narrow faux snake-skin belt.

A warm smile and a wave top it all off. Looks like she'll have to master that; who knows what the future holds?