United States First Lady Michelle Obama started a new chapter in power dressing in 2008, when her husband Barack Obama was elected as President and her love for fashion drew attention worldwide.

Shunning the safe skirt suit that was the preferred uniform of her predecessors, Mrs Obama has not only stepped out in vibrant dresses but has also dared to bare her arms.

On Nov 8, Americans will vote in a new president and first lady - or first gentleman. As Mrs Obama's eight years as her country's First Dresser draw to a close, Life catalogues 20 of her best looks.

1. First Lady in red

The gown she wore for her husband's second inauguration ball in 2013 is a fine example of her style.

The flowy dress by Taiwan-born, New York-based designer Jason Wu is bright red and has crisscross straps at the back, all the better to showcase her toned shoulders and arms.

2. Brit is it

At the state dinner for China in 2011, she served up drama in an asymmetrical red Alexander McQueen gown.

Her choice of the British brand was contentious as it was one of the few times she did not pay sartorial tribute to either the country being honoured or her own country.

But it was reported by Washington Post that the McQueen dress was just an instance of personal preference.

3. Reese's piece

Mrs Obama chooses her statement dresses carefully for political appearances - ensuring that each piece makes a visual impact, and is by a designer whose background reflects the message she wants to send.

Campaigning for her husband at the Democratic National Convention in 2012, she wore a rosy brocade dress by Tracy Reese, an African-American designer whose rise was an unlikely story in fashion. Reese, a supporter of Mr Obama, met Mrs Obama at a 2008 presidential campaign fund-raiser.

4. Going blue for Democrats

Speaking up against Republican presidential nominee and one-time reality television star Donald Trump at the Democratic National Convention this year, Mrs Obama chose a royal blue dress by Christian Siriano, a designer who rose to stardom after taking part in the TV show Project Runway.

Unlike Mr Trump, whose inappropriate treatment of women has become a focus of media attention, Siriano was in the news for being inclusive and dressing diverse body types.

He volunteered to dress Ghostbusters actress Leslie Jones for a movie premiere after she complained on Twitter that no designer would.

5. to 7. Gorgeous in Khan creations

8. to 10. Dressed for dinner

In black-tie finery, Mrs Obama outshines many a Hollywood star. She was gorgeous in a white Tom Ford gown and gloves at a 2011 state dinner in Buckingham Palace; in a green Marchesa at the Kennedy Center Honours 2013; and in a black Vera Wang at a 2015 state dinner for China .

11. & 12. Casual and classy

For everyday business, Mrs Obama is fond of cardigans and belts, which accentuate the waistline of the former lawyer's feminine dresses and skirts.

For a speech in a school in Miami Lakes, Florida in 2012, she accessorised a Chris Benz sheath dress with a skinny belt.

For a visit to the Royal Opera House in London in 2009, she jazzed up a Jason Wu cocktail dress with a quirky patchwork Junya Watanabe cardigan.

13. to 15. Floral fashion displays

Sometimes, Mrs Obama says it with flowers.

In August, to greet her Singaporean guests, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ho Ching, Mrs Obama chose a yellow Naeem Khan lace dress evoking sunshine and sunflowers.

For the US presidential visit to Cuba in March, the state dinner was held at the tree-lined Palace of the Revolution. Fittingly, Mrs Obama chose a Naeem Khan dress embroidered with a floral motif.

In 2010, she landed in style in Mexico City, in a blue Tracy Reese floral dress.

16. Repeat in resplendence

Mrs Obama keeps it real and repeats outfits. One of her most winning ones - which she wore to the London Olympics in 2012 and to the taping of the 2013 TV special Christmas In Washington - consists of a sculptural J. Mendel crepe jacket and a soft chiffon skirt.

17. Browne for the big day

For her husband's second inauguration, she wore a to-die-for Thom Browne coat in navy silk jacquard.

18. Rocking it out in Posen

She exuded classy sex appeal in the Zac Posen corset dress she wore to the Black Girls Rock! awards ceremony last year.

19. State of the skirt suit

At her husband's State of the Union address last year, Mrs Obama wore a skirt suit, for once. She looked good in the Michael Kors outfit in understated grey tweed, but with exaggerated shoulders and a sexy zip front.

At the Obamas' last state dinner, which was held for Italy on Oct 18, Mrs Obama rocked a spectacular Atelier Versace gown in slinky rose gold chain mail.

Her choice, according to The New York Times, "spoke of armour and female strength, of the need to gird yourself to fight for what you believe in". She was also every inch a diva, wrapping up her eight years in the fashion spotlight on a high note.