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50 Years of First Lady Fashion: How Jackie, Nancy & Michelle Defined American Style

For the past half-century, America's first ladies have led the nation's shifting attitudes toward style. We present a look back at the fashion that ruled the White House through the last 10 presidencies (12 Photos)

Fiorella Valdesolo on Jan 11, 2013 at 12:28PM

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50 Years of First Lady Fashion

From Jackie Kennedy to Michelle Obama, for the past half-century, the first ladies of the United States have defined American style. And while none approached the role simply as presidential arm candy—often building significant platforms of their own—each woman’s individual take on fashion offered a visual marker of the country's changing style ideals.

Of course we look forward to the day when the outfits we track are being worn by the president, ahem, herself, but until then, we present a look back at the fashion that ruled the White House through the past 10 presidencies.