Michelle Obama's Belts: Behind The First Lady's Favorite Accessory (SLIDESHOW)

The first lady is pretty fond of accessories, often wearing dangly earrings, chunky necklaces, and big belts. Usually not together, thankfully.

The cinched waist, much like her sleeveless arms, has become something of a signature look for Mrs. Obama.

Here are the belts that make it happen.

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A blue belt by Maria Cornejo as worn on "The Daily Show" on October 8th, 2008

Comments

[Kit]

the belts draw the eye to her slim waist and away from the hips. 101.

[EYEONU2]

I also love how she wore the same shirt #3 and #6 . She is the queen of the remix wardrobe!

[Mayuki]

I LOVE those belts! She is an individual and she looks great.

[privategirl]

It's funny because even clothing store commercials are now including her in their sales pitch. I was watching a clothing store commericial, I don't remember if it was Stein, or TJ Macks, but at the end of the commercial the model say and I paraphrase: I'm sure Michelle Obama won't mind shopping here.

[loveobamas]

First Lady Michelle Obama looks good in everything she's wears to me,And she's wears belts because she want s to.

[theredqueen]

I would love to love the belts but I just cannot. For some reason they look "too to" if you know what I mean. First lady Michelle Obama is her own woman and if it pleases her to wear the belts so be it. At least she will never be a cookie cutter conformist. However, I just don't have to like the belts or some of her outfits but I do like her very much indeed.

[sydney01]

I think she is a beautiful woman who loves her body the way it is, and dresses it in the cutest things! Someone said she is drawing attention to a bad area...her waist is tiny! Yes, she is not a supermodel, why expect her to be? She is having fun with clothes, and is incredibly fit. Perfect no, gorgeous yes! The best thing is that she is brilliant, caring, a great mother, and doing so many positive things for our country. You could wrap that in a potato sack and I would love it.

[NewDem08]

Love her, love her style, her brains, and the way her husband looks at her.

But I must be seriously fashion-challenged, because I just loathe that clear Sonia Rykiel belt, and apparently it's the must-have accessory.

[teron678]

Fits her well .....

[thedreadedt]

Michelle Obama has all the makings of an elegantly dressed woman. She just over-does it...The first rule of fashion: Less is more!!! The belts draw attention to her least-favorable body area and the excesses of jewelry destroy the impasc of otherwise stunning dresses. It's all just tooooo much. Look at some of her outfits and imagine them without the best...ah! so much better! Everytime I see the belts I'm so sad that she's undermined a fine outfit and made herself look matronly.

[wanj]

I actually think she looks great in those belts... there are no rules in fashion IMHO. If you are confident enough to wear something, go right ahead

[myflowers]

If you feel that way, you're going to hate spring and summer. Women everywhere will start wearing belts. LOL.....nothing you can do about it.

[SynCity]

While I am a fan of belts, I will agree that they are not needed for every outfit. However, I would disagree with it "drawing attention to her least-favorable body area..." Most African-American women take pride in their curvaeous bodies. So to say which body parts are "least-favorable" is in the eye of the beholder. To me she beholds beauty! Rock on Michelle (with or without your belts).

[SamiSam]

Least-favorable body area? Her waist is small, she has fantastically round hips and curvy figure. The belts are very "now". I don't know where you live, but here in NYC women have been wearing their belts in such a way for years. She would look MORE matronly if she didn't have them on. You wouldn't be able to see her great figure as well and would look too average, and we all know she's anything but average.

[damosa]

i have now starting wearing belts and toning my arms. :)

[myflowers]

You go girl!

[middlegirl]

She looks so beautiful and radiant in that last picture.

[kath1y]

I love Michelle Obama, I love her fashion exuberance, I love her toned arms.

But the belts have got to go. She's disporportionately short from shoulder to natural waist and her tummy's a bit poochy. The belts emphasize all of that. She'd be better off with princess lines, dropped waists.

She also needs to get a looser fit on her tops. Some of them are just too tight.

Other than that, she's perfect!

[myflowers]

I love all of the belts. Such style and class.
I also read that Stevie Wonder's wife designed that beautiful green dress.

[kshawNCvoter]

stunnning......i love the 4th picture. its depicts how i see them in my eyes.

him the very serious yet wry, sometimes goofy(cracking himself up during serious speeches lol) one and she the the layed back, semi informal one, who will loosen him up and also keep him grounded, during any crisis.

they make a great couple.