Fashion

Michelle Obama's 7 Best State Dinner Looks

by Jessica Willingham

Slay, Michelle, slay. We haven't had such a fashionable First Lady since Jackie O., which proves icons only come around once in a great while. Her sense of style is going down in the history books, and if you don't believe me, check out Michelle Obama's best state dinner looks.

Obama is a fashion icon because she doesn't just nail political attire or professional dress — she does it with color, prints, textures, low-end looks, and high-end labels. New York Times fashion critic Vanessa Friedman said Obama is “perhaps the most adept and successful practitioner of the art of political dressing that any administration has seen.” According to New York Times, Obama's style is great because of the meaning behind her choices. She often chooses to pay tribute to visiting countries and cultures through her clothing, and her most elegant and couture looks are from the Obama Administration's 14 state dinners, when she and President Obama host leaders and diplomats from all over the world.

Obama's final state dinner as First Lady was on Tuesday, and she made a lasting impression. She wore a rose gold Atelier Versace gown, made of cut and draped chain mail. So what statement was she making? After her powerful speech on women, the armor-like gown reminds us that women are strong, powerful, and totally worthy.

Mark Wilson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

She's a vision!

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Like a glittering goddess.

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

According to the company's spokesperson, the dress was designed exclusively for Michelle.

Here's my list of Michelle Obama's best state dinner looks:

1. State Banquet At Buckingham Palace

POOL/AFP/Getty Images

Obama wore Tom Ford to meet with the Queen in 2011.

2. Chinese State Dinner

Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images

In 2015, Michelle wore custom Vera Wang.

3. Singaporean State Dinner

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

Obama wore an ivory, strapless Brandon Maxwell gown.

4. French State Dinner

JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

How gorgeous is this Carolina Herrera gown? She's the modern day Cinderella.

5. Canadian State Dinner

Alex Wong/Getty Images News/Getty Images

I love this high-class print and front split for the 2016 Canadian dinner.

6. Nordic State Dinner

NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images

This romantic, one-shoulder dress was created by Indian-American designer Naeem Khan.

7. Japanese State Dinner

Mark Wilson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Beautiful in blue, she paid tribute to the visiting country by wearing American-based Japanese designer Tadashi Shoji.