"On any day during her eight years as first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama said she could go from giving a speech to meeting with a counterpart from another country to digging in her vegetable garden with groups of schoolchildren. And her clothes had to be ready for that. There was too much else to do, including raising daughters Sasha and Malia, and she said she didn't have time to obsess over what she was wearing."
"She wanted her clothes to be welcoming as well as versatile. "The thing about clothes that I find is that they can welcome people in or they can keep people away, and if you're so put together and so precious and things are so crisp and the pin is so big, you know, it can just tell people, 'Don't touch me,'""
Michelle Obama balanced speeches, meetings with foreign counterparts, and hands-on activities like gardening with schoolchildren while raising daughters during eight years as first lady. Clothing choices prioritized versatility, durability, and approachability to accommodate unpredictable daily duties. She avoided outfits that would prevent hugs or show dirt, and often declined white to reduce the risk of stains when interacting with the public. Athleticism featured in public appearances, including catching a football, playing soccer with David Beckham, breaking a jumping-jack world record, and doing pushups with Desmond Tutu. The book "The Look," written with stylist Meredith Koop, chronicles her fashion, hair, and makeup journey.
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