Michelle Obama Puts Edgy Post-White House Style on Display at the ESPYs

Michelle Obama might have made J.Crew great again while she was in the White House, but her post-politics style has seemingly taken a significant turn away from the preppy brand’s signature cardigans and A-line dresses.

Appearing at the ESPYs on Wednesday night, Obama wore a black Cushnie et Ochs dress. The custom piece was modified from a look from the brand’s fall 2017 ready-to-wear collection, with the 53-year-old’s version being in black and sans sequins.

At the 25th annual awards show in Los Angeles, Obama honored the late Eunice Kennedy Shriver, John F. Kennedy’s sister and founder of the Special Olympics in 1968, with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

“I am here tonight to honor a remarkable woman,” she said. “A woman who believed everyone has something to contribute and everyone deserves to push themselves to find out what they’re made of and to compete and win. She knew that when we give others a chance to fulfill our greatest potential, we all win.”

Obama’s look — and presence, in general — sent the Internet into a tizzy.

In addition to Obama’s looking incredible, her presence had such a major impact because this marks just one of few public appearances since January. In each, though, she’s displayed a more relaxed and edgier look than the previous eight years.

Case in point: She opted for an off-the-rack dress from Lafayette 148 for her first speaking engagement in April.

And even wore sneakers onstage in May.

That same month, Obama looked like she stepped fresh out of the pages of Vogue with a high-low-hem top from Alexander McQueen and a leather corset belt.

It’s her off-duty looks that have taken the most drastic turn toward the casual. For example, when the former FLOTUS was in Italy, she stepped out in not one but two off-the-shoulder tops.

For a recent trip to Indonesia, she busted out her best athleisure, which she paired with a sarong.

And on yet another vacation, Obama let her hair down, driving the Internet wild with her shorts and tank-top ensemble and natural curls.

But it’s the in-between looks, or business casual, that have made the most impact and seem to be where Obama and her husband are most comfortable.

What’s next? Watch out for a book tour filled with even more eye-catching fashion.

Read more from Yahoo Beauty + Style:

• Michelle Obama Is Back and Still Winning the Fashion Game

• Meryl Streep’s Handbag Shows Her Love for the Obamas

• Melania Trump Wears $2,595 Gown From Designed Loved by Michelle Obama

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