A Recap of Michelle Obama's Standout Kennedy Center Honors Style

The first lady has sported stunning gowns at eight of the annual ceremony

By Samantha Schnurr Dec 05, 2016 3:54 PMTags
Michelle Obama, Kennedy Center HonorsAP/AFP/Getty Images

For First Lady Michelle Obama's final Kennedy Center Honors, no sparkle was left behind. 

After eight years of attending the annual ceremony, FLOTUS has become an expert about finding gowns that pair Washington polish with a sartorial punch all her own. Sunday night proved to be the stylish pièce de résistance on those eight years when she stepped into the Kennedy Center Opera House in an off-the-shoulder gown designed by Gucci covered with metallic pink and green floral embroidery. It marked one of the only times Obama has worn the brand, though it does follow her rose gold chainmail dress by fellow Italian label Atelier Versace for her final state dinner. 

While Oscar winner Al Pacino, gospel singer Staples, pianist Martha Argerich, singer-songwriter James Taylor and Eagles members Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh were the official honorees of the evening for their lifetime contributions to American culture, it was the first lady who captivated the room for the last time in her official post. 

In honor of Michelle Obama's final Kennedy Center Honors, here's a look back at all of the holiday dress inspiration she's given us with these eight looks: 

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Michelle Obama's Best Looks
MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

Year: 2009

Designer: Peter Soronen

Michelle Obama kicked off her first year as First Lady in a safe and simple, but elegant orchid strapless gown with a strand of jewels adorning her neck. 

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Year: 2010

Designer: Naeem Khan

Sporting one of her most-worn designers, Obama stunned in a scarlet embroidered gown perfect for the holiday season.  

Brendan Smialowski-Pool/Getty Images

Year: 2011

Designer: Vera Wang

For one of her first appearances as first lady, FLOTUS opted for this royal blue strapless ruched gown with an ornate skirt. 

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP/REX/Shutterstock

Year: 2012

Designer: Michael Kors

Obama introduced sparkle into her looks early on with this metallic gown with a glistening rhinestone-encrusted neckline. 

read
Michelle Obama's State Dinner Style Rewind: All the Colors, Cuts and Couture of the Last Eight Years
AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Year: 2013

Designer: Marchesa

We were green with envy over this emerald off-the-shoulder Grecian gown. 

BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

Year: 2014

Designer: Monique Lhuillier

While Meryl Streep may have been in attendance that year, FLOTUS stole the show in this stunning blush column gown embellished with beading that made her sparkle with every step. 

AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin

Year: 2015

Designer: Oscar de la Renta

Never one to shy away from prints, Obama tried out this bold blue and black floral ballgown last year, proving once again there's not a silhouette she can't rock. 

AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

Year: 2016

Designer: Gucci

As the grand finale, FLOTUS pulled eight years of fashion notes into one show-stopping number.