Michelle Obama's Best Outfits Of 2010 (PHOTOS, POLL)

First Lady Michelle Obama continued to up the style ante in the White House over the last twelve months, starting off the year in a McQueen pantsuit and ending it with a secondhand first: a vintage frock by Norman Norell. And in between, we saw tons of color and texture, statement jewelry and a FLOTUS-worthy 'do to go with each.

We've rounded up our favorite First Lady looks of the year and -- whew! -- it wasn't easy. Click on the caption to find out where Michelle was and what she was wearing, and tell us which of her ensembles was the best of 2010.

January 28

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At the YMCA in Alexandria, Virginia in a suit by Alexander McQueen.

January 28

At the YMCA in Alexandria, Virginia in a suit by Alexander McQueen.

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January 28

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Comments

[TresJolie7]

04:47 PM on 01/12/2011

#12, that blue goddess dress is gorgeous! BTW, she looks like Sigourney Weaver to me.

[rentedgraymatter]

01:25 PM on 12/28/2010

'best' of course, in a relative sense.

[Paula Powell]

01:24 PM on 12/27/2010

Our First Lady is a breath of fresh air and originality! Always look forward to seeing what you does next.

[isb782]

02:37 AM on 12/25/2010

I just love Mrs. Obama and can't decide. I love her style and we are truly blessed to have her as our first lady.

[nancynancy]

02:19 PM on 12/24/2010

I think Michelle is a lovely woman who looks her best in simple, elegant clothes. Too often, Michelle chooses unusual clothes that compete with her for our attention. She needs to adopt a simpler and more unified style so the focus can be on the woman -- not what she's wearing, and I bet her mother would agree.

[patriciacaldwell]

10:30 PM on 12/27/2010

Michelle has a strong, yet warm, personality and an expressive face. I always notice that first. She wears her clothes joyfully, and has a certain flair for mixing colors. I find that refreshing, and I love her vintage brooches. That IS her style. Her mother would agree with you? Surely you're joking!

[sankofaman]

01:24 AM on 12/24/2010

I will always love May 1st. Everything about it is so simple and elegant. Very pared down clean lines. Beautiful.

[Shzron1946]

01:58 AM on 12/24/2010

me 2

[db08]

10:38 PM on 12/23/2010

She exudes intelligence, warmth, compassion, a sense of adventure, integrity...what else does she need..a beautiful woman inside and out

[CitizenKane16]

12:20 AM on 12/28/2010

Couldn't agree more. It always strikes me that Mrs. Obama has grown more beautiful as we get to know her while Sarah Palin gets less attractive to me every time I witness her abusive behavior.

[Redemption Song II]

08:28 AM on 12/23/2010

Mrs. Obama always looks smashing, but I like her best in formal evening wear--with her tall, statuesque figure, she wears dresses particularly well.

[CitizenKane16]

12:21 AM on 12/28/2010

Indeed. The brilliant blue dress and the vintage black are my favorites. The way she wore her hair with the blue was absolutely gorgeous.

[1laingirl]

10:48 PM on 01/04/2011

Her hair when she is wearing the blue dress is my favorite! She looks absolutely stunning.

[canobserv]

12:04 PM on 01/05/2011

She looks amazing in red.

[SamiSam]

10:45 PM on 12/22/2010

I see you FLOTUS in pic #17. Lookin' a bit sexy in the form fitting gray number. I need to get me a dress like that. Where was she anyway?

[veeve816]

10:08 PM on 12/22/2010

In some of those pics she is stunning others she is not so scone hot but we all dont get it exactly right every time. There was one pic of her taken during the recent trip to India she was very relaxed and smiling with a tamborine in her hand and in that pic i could agree she was pretty.
I also agree with an earlier poster her posture needs work. How tall is she ?

[anastasiabeaverhousen]

09:27 PM on 12/22/2010

I love her "out of the box" style. America doesn't quite know what to do with her unabashed celebration of joy as it relates to fashion.

[JaneQCitizen]

08:53 PM on 12/22/2010

Number 12 is fabulous!

[bytheC]

11:40 AM on 12/23/2010

Agree! What a beautiful woman.

[sarah2010]

08:40 PM on 12/22/2010

She had some great looks this year. 2009 was hit and miss but 2010 was a fashion homerun.

[janemarple]

08:20 PM on 12/22/2010

The Daily Beast {can you say that here ?} Recently ran an article on Jill Biden. She is older than the FL, but her styles are simpler, and more relatable to the average woman, not to mention more affordable. She has a fresh and classic look that anyone can wear. I wish HuffPo would run something similar.

[NevaforLeadership]

09:15 PM on 12/22/2010

I agree with you about Jill Biden's great sense of style.

Michelle Obama, on the other hand, hasn't developed a sense of style. Her look has no continuity and her choices are hit or miss. Nevertheless I love watching her fashions and think she is the most engaging first lady of my time -- probably ever.

[patriciacaldwell]

10:18 PM on 12/22/2010

I, too, wish the HP would show more photos of Jill Biden. She has a full-time job that requires her attention, so she probably doesn't think of fashion when she dresses for class. Her official activities could be covered though.

Your comment about Michelle Obama's not having shown continuity of style is something I'd disagree with. That is her style. She has a playful sense of style, yet she dresses appropriately for each occasion. When she's interacting with children in her Let's Move campaign, Michelle wears bright colors and clothes that move with her. I admire her willingness to dance, jump rope, and play hopscotch with children and still look like a lady. Fashion is about sampling and taking a risk to mix colors that surprise and entertain the eye. The First Lady does that with casual clothes and business day dresses. Whether we like or dislike belts, prints, or brooches is a personal choice. I would rarely make the same choices for myself, but I'm glad she does. She is the most engaging First Lady of recent time!

I think we also need to remember that the HP photos are often taken in poor lighting and from odd angles. The Mrs-O.org site frequently shows better photos, and the commentary gives information about designers and accessories.

[MariaMaria]

09:49 AM on 12/23/2010

Michelle Obama mixes it up, I see that as her style. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't, but it is never truly boring or even overly predictable. That would seem to be her style to me. The greater percentage of these photos she looks great. That 'green' pantsuit photo shouldn't even be in the slideshow, it's one of the misses for sure. My favorites are #3 & #4.

[chiara12]

08:16 PM on 12/22/2010

Love the look on his face in picture 12, he's got a slight smirk, you know he's got to be saying something about how she looks....which is fantastic of course