Michelle Obama is giving fans another glimpse into her life after the White House, this time by sharing a refreshingly simple, laid-back look: a T-shirt and jeans.
On Friday, Nov. 21, the former first lady posted a new photo on social media, shot by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz as part of the updated edition of her photo book Women. In the portrait, Obama wears a dark gray henley, slightly distressed blue jeans, a brown leather belt, and matching brown suede heeled boots. Her eyes are closed, her braids blowing gently in the wind, creating a calm, natural moment.
“@AnnieLeibovitz has always known that a photo can do more than preserve a moment — it can say something,” Obama wrote in her caption. “Her book Women did exactly that, expanding how we see women and the lives they lead through her lens. It was an honor to be photographed by Annie for the new edition, capturing the many ways women are showing up today.”
Lately, the 61-year-old has been leaning into fashion more openly while promoting her style-focused memoir The Look, which revisits standout outfits and moments from her eight years as first lady.
Back then, casual fashion wasn’t something she wore often, but since leaving the White House, she’s had fun experimenting — denim, sequins, bright hues, and bolder silhouettes have all made their way into her wardrobe. She even wore jeans onstage during a live taping of her “IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson” podcast at the 2025 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. Earlier this month, she sported a full double-denim outfit — oversized jacket included — for her interview with Robin Roberts.
Obama has been open about the challenges of navigating fashion during her time in Washington. In an October 28 interview with People, she explained, “I purposefully did not talk about fashion and beauty during the eight years in the White House. I was afraid it was going to take over everything.”
As the first Black woman to serve as first lady, she also talked about the tricky balancing act she faced. “I felt that I had to make sure that people could see my feminine side,” she said.
She’s previously reflected on why she avoided braids while in office, saying in 2022 that she believed Americans weren’t “ready” and that she wanted the administration’s work — not her hair — to stay front and center. “It was a complicated assignment. The role of first lady is a kind of job, non-job,” she told People. “You know that you're supposed to be inspirational, yet accessible. You should be uniquely yourself, authentic, but representational at the same time.”