Professionals don’t know how to dress for their jobs anymore. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, workwear has relaxed, and the playbook for dressing for success has changed. It’s caused a lot of uncertainty—but former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama shared her styling tips on how to dress for the job.
Obama spoke about how style has evolved throughout her decades-long career across law, education, and government. The Harvard-educated attorney specialized in entertainment law at high-powered firm Sidley Austin, served as the assistant to Chicago’s mayor, and was the associate dean of students at the University of Chicago.
“All of those iterations are me,” Obama continued. “I wear things that allow me to forget about what I’m wearing and do the work…I tend not to worry about that once I’m in a moment.”
Obama’s evolving style has proved there is no one-size-fits-all method in looking the part for work. But there is one universal trick she said everyone should follow, whether they’re showing up to the office wearing a luxury power suit or inexpensive outfits.
The author said the trick can make the most affordable clothes look “clean and sleek,” even if it means getting a t-shirt tucked in. She advised people to go to their local dry cleaners for tailoring: Seamstresses can cut off or add fabric, make sleeves the right lengths, make sure links work, and more. Getting her clothes fitted ensures she can step into any style and the clothes are perfectly aligned to her body type and aesthetic preferences.
“All of that stuff matters,” Obama explained. “All of that makes all [of] these different styles accessible to me, because they’re all parts of who I am.”
Experts have told Fortune a lot of this aesthetic uncertainty came about post-pandemic; workers were clocking in remotely for over a year, and many realized how much more comfortable they were in casual clothing. Once dragged back into the office, they wanted to bring their laid-back attire with them—and it worked, with casual styling elements becoming the new normal. Employees ditched heels, dresses, and neckties for luxe sneakers and jeans.
