Michelle Obama's best fashion moments of 2012
By Rina Raphael, TODAY

From bright pink suits to elegant one-shoulder gowns, Michelle Obama's wardrobe dazzled us in 2012. Many have applauded Michelle for her dedication to wearing up-and-coming designers — like Wes Gordon or Jason Wu, once known only within high-end fashion circles — as well as a cardigan or skirt from affordable retailers like H&M every now and then. Take a look back at TODAY Style's favorite first lady fashion moments of the year, including great outfits from Tracy Reese, J.Crew and a lot of Michael Kors:


Brendan Hoffman / Pool / EPA
Michelle Obama glows in a gold Michael Kors gown at the Kennedy Center Honors Reception at the White House in Washington, DC, on Dec. 2. 


Emmanuel Dunand / AFP / Getty Images
The first lady, wearing a pink Michael Kors dress suit, attends the second 2012 presidential debate, in Hempstead, N.Y., on Oct. 16. Ann Romney, wife of GOP candidate Mitt Romney, also wore pink to the event.


Michelle Obama, wearing a chic white pantsuit, laughs during a taping of The Steve Harvey Show on Oct 2.


Cliff Owen / AP
Michelle Obama wore a one-shoulder gown by Michael Kors for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 42nd annual Phoenix Awards dinner in Washington on Sept. 22.


Charles Dharapak / AP
Wearing Tracy Reese, Michelle Obama waves to delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Sept. 4.


Pool / Reuters
Summer white: The first lady wore J. Mendel for a pre-Olympics reception at Buckingham Palace on July 27.


Mandel Ngan / AFP/Getty Images
Color-coordinated: On June 5, Michelle Obama wore a colorful print dress for a press conference at the Newseum on Washington, D.C., to announce changes to Disney's nutrition guideline policy.


Saul Loeb / AFP/Getty Images
Michelle Obama wore a strapless paisley organza gown by designer Naeem Khan at the White House Correspondents Association Dinner in Washington on April 28.


Charley Gallay/kca2012 / Getty Images for KCA
Singer Taylor Swift joins Michelle Obama, wearing a jacket by up-and-coming designer Wes Gordon, at Nickelodeon's 25th Annual Kids' Choice Awards on March 31.


Joshua Roberts / Reuters
In an elegant red gown by J. Mendel, the first lady stands by author Maya Angelou at the BET Honors in Washington on Jan. 14.

Hillary Clinton: My hair is 'one of the great fascinations of our time'


Slideshow: Michelle Obama's effortless style

 
Emmanuel Dunand / AFP / Getty Images
Slideshow; The first lady looks as sophisticated in designer dresses as she does in outfits from J. Crew.