Happy birthday, Michelle Obama! Take a look back at the former first lady's most fashionable moments

Although she's been out of the White House for two years, Michelle Obama is very much still on our minds. From her progressive first lady platform to her celebrity friendships and her statement-making sartorial choices, Obama has proven that just because she's a former first lady, she's not done changing the world.

In honor of her 56th birthday on January 17th, we're throwing it back to Obama's style transformation over the years.

Her impressive nature extends far beyond her credentials (Princeton, Harvard, NBD) and into the eyes of many due to her spunky attitude and a style to match. Although she stuck to more traditional fashion choices during the beginning of her tenure as first lady, Obama began experimenting more with different cuts and looks, a choice that wasn't always well received by the American public.

Remember the "uproar" she caused over her first official White House portrait? The sleeveless Michael Kors look is still one of her most controversial looks to-date.

However, the first lady eventually began to find her fashion footing in high-end designers such as Tom Ford, Marchesa and Monique Lhuillier, while mixing in more affordable finds like J.Crew. She said goodbye to simple black dresses and pearls and became known for more experimental tailoring than past first ladies, touching upon halter necks, off-the-shoulder looks and sweetheart necklines.

But it's really been the post White House years that have been formative in Obama's style evolution. In promoting her book "Becoming," the mom-of-two made headlines for one bold look after another -- Balmain, Cushnie, Givenchy -- and each were better than the next. Everything down to the last detail (those thigh-high Balmain boots!) has proven that Obama is just getting started.

Scroll through above to see her best style moments!

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