Office Style: Michelle Obama Knows What Works

Take your wardrobe cues from the First Lady, whose unstuffy style has redefined what modern American women wear to work.

Long Coats

Isaac Mizrahi ensemble combined with clean-lined wool coat

Whether in an airy neutral tone or bursting with color, a clean-lined coat that comes to the knee makes a tasteful statement. Combine it with a matching dress or skirt (like the Isaac Mizrahi ensemble Mrs. Obama wore at the Metropolitan Museum of Art) for pulled-together polish.

Left: Wool, Cinzia Rocca, 866-427-2628.

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1 of 15 Photos: Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMA; Time Inc. Digital Studio

Long Coats

Juicy Couture and Narciso Rodriguez coats

The First Lady attended the "We Are One" inaugural concert in Narciso Rodriguez.

Far left: Wool, Juicy Couture, revolveclothing.com.

2 of 15 Photos: Time Inc. Digital Studio; Jeff Christensen/AP Photo

Bold Cardigans

Michelle Obama in black and white cardigan

The new business chic swaps restrained suit jackets for spirited sweaters. Crewneck or V-neck, worn open or closed, solid or patterned—these lively knits look both approachable and office-appropriate. Plus, they're comfortable! Mrs. Obama wore a Junya Watanabe cardigan to the Office of Personnel Management.

Left: Cashmere, J. Crew, jcrew.com.

3 of 15 Photos: Kevin Lamarque/Landov; Time Inc. Digital Studio

Bold Cardigans

The First Lady visited Miriam's Kitchen in a Liz Claiborne New York blouse, J. Crew sweater and Sonia Rykiel belt.

Far left: Wool, Nicole Farhi, 646-638-0115.

4 of 15 Photos: Time Inc. Digital Studio; Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP Photo

White Shirts

Feminine ruffles set these layering pieces apart from run-of-the-mill button-fronts. Case in point: the bow-bedecked Moschino blouse Mrs. Obama wore in Prague.

Far left: Cotton, Talbots, talbots.com.

5 of 15 Photos: Time Inc. Digital Studio; Michaela Feuereislova/Getty

White Shirts

The ruffles are playful, while the talk is serious

Mrs. Obama addressed a group on health care wearing a playful ruffled blouse.

Left: Cotton-spandex, Kate Boggiano, kateboggiano.com.

6 of 15 Photos: Gary Fabiano/Sipa; Time Inc. Digital Studio

Bright Sheaths

Wear vibrant, solid hues with confidence

There's something inherently optimistic about a vibrant dress, especially when it's in a solid hue—and this classic, body-skimming shape is a figure flatterer. Anyone can pull off these juicy tones, as long as they're worn with confidence. Think of Mrs. O in her vivid yellow Jason Wu dress and vintage brooch.

Left: Silk crepe, Nicole Miller, $485; nicolemiller.com.

7 of 15 Photos: Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP Photo; Time Inc. Digital Studio

Bright Sheaths

The First Lady wore Thakoon to a Presidential Debate

The First Lady took to the stage at a Presidential Debate in Thakoon.

Far left: Cotton-spandex, Armani Exchange, at armaniexchange.com.

8 of 15 Photos: Time Inc. Digital Studio; Brian Snyder/Landov

Textured Skirts

The silhouette may be simple, but the fabrics are quite the opposite: rich brocades, nubby tweeds and dazzling metallics. Instead of offsetting the skirt's sumptuousness, play it up (a la the First Lady's J. Crew outfit on Leno) with a bright belt or embellished sweater.

Left: Cotton-polyester, the Limited, thelimited.com.

9 of 15 Photos: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank; Time Inc. Digital Studio