The Most Stylish First Ladies In U.S. History...From Martha Washington to Michelle Obama

SPECIAL FROM Next Avenue  By Kathryn Hempstead Posted: 07/29/2015 07:47 AM EDT

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama’s sleeveless dresses. Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits. Laura Bush’s sleek but soft pixie cut. Our recent First Ladies have created styles to suit themselves, and inspired thousands of American women to follow suit.

But not many people know that our First Ladies of yesteryear made even bigger splashes with their fashion choices. They were famous (and sometimes infamous) for their lavish outfits, their quirky styles or simply for being daring and fashion-forward. And their effect on the nation was clear, from the entire houses decorated in ‘Mamie Pink,’ to the case of Frankie Cleveland and the disappearing bustle. more