Malia and Sasha Obama were just 10 and 7 years old, respectively, when dad Barack Obama was elected the 44th president of the United States in 2008. And in the earlier years of their father’s time in the Oval Office, the sisters often dressed like miniature versions of their fashionable mom, Michelle, in colorful coats and cute cardigans.
But over the course of their eight-year stint as first daughters, Malia and Sasha came into their own style-wise, swapping their preppy threads for trendy prints and tailored pieces.
Below, take a closer look at Malia’s and Sasha’s fashion evolution through the years.
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At the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Malia and Sasha looked adorable in jewel tones that complemented their mom’s.
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The Obama ladies went for coordinated colors later in the convention as well, with Malia looking lovely in pink lace and Sasha opting for an ombré look.
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On election night in 2008, the family celebrated Barack’s win in black and red.
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For the former POTUS’ inauguration in 2009, Malia and Sasha stood out in colorful J.Crew coats.
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The Obamas went for classic black and white (plus a pop of red for the prez) in this 2009 White House portrait, with both girls donning classic shifts.
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During the earlier years of the Obama administration, cardigans were a constant in Malia’s and Sasha’s closets, as seen in this 2010 snap.
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The girls stepped out in feminine A-line dresses with fluttery details to attend a Sunday prayer service in 2011.
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The Obamas picked classic single-breasted coats for another 2011 church outing, with Malia’s collarless coral topper standing out from the rest.
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Michelle, Malia and Sasha lit up Christmas in 2011 with their colorful dresses.
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The trio donned dresses in different hues and prints for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, but picked similar high necklines to keep their looks cohesive.
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The Obama women looked sophisticated in similar fit-and-flare skirts (plus a pair of cardigans) for Barack’s victory speech after winning the presidency for a second time in 2012.
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The girls sported pretty plum-colored coats for their dad’s 2013 inauguration; Malia once again opted for J.Crew, while Sasha wore Kate Spade.
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Sasha made like mom Michelle in maroon for a 2013 church service, while Malia went her own way in a windowpane-print coat and neon lace miniskirt.
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Velvet fit-and-flare frocks were a fitting choice for Christmas in 2014.
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Malia and Sasha understood the assignment for this 2015 Easter portrait, with the former in periwinkle polka dots and the latter in a citrusy color-blocked look.
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They showed up for the annual turkey pardoning ahead of Thanksgiving 2015 wearing collegiate classics in autumnal tones.
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The siblings looked pretty in pinafore styles while boarding Air Force One in 2016.
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While traveling to Madrid that same summer, Malia and Sasha stepped out in similar summer sandals styled with easy patterned dresses.
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Ahead of a 2016 trip to Martha’s Vineyard, the sisters sported buttoned-up summer whites.
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Following her father’s exit from the White House — and her high school graduation — Malia headed to New York City to intern in the film industry before starting college at Harvard. With DC in her rear view, the older Obama sister was finally able to dress more casually, and was often spotted strolling the Tribeca streets in jeans and sneakers.
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Malia and Sasha dressed down in oversized jackets during a family trip to France in 2019.
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Sasha joined her sister in Los Angeles in early 2022, and wasted no time in adapting her style to the West Coast. Between her baggy overalls and tie-dye and Malia’s cropped cargoes, the younger Obamas fit right in.
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The duo showed off their best coordinated athleisure during a sunny hike in 2022.
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Sasha toted her oversized Telfar bag to class at USC in October 2022, adding layers of necklaces to her printed mini.
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Even former first daughters love their sweatpants, as the pair proved during this late 2022 lunch date in LA.
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The cardigan returns! Rather than styling her open-front sweater with a dress or skirt, as she would have back in Washington, Malia modernized the look with a cropped tank and supersized denim shorts for a morning coffee run in May 2023.
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Sasha stepped out in LA with fresh braids and a pretty patchwork maxi dress in August 2023.
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For a West Hollywood party hosted by Drake in August 2023, the sisters went for styles sultrier than anything we’ve seen on them before. Malia bared her midriff in a cropped lace corset top and low-slung cargo pants, while Malia mixed her prints in a semi-sheer Knwls look comprised of a lace-up top and flared trousers.
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