There aren’t too many fashion-forward, first daughters like Malia Obama, the eldest daughter to the 44th President Barack Obama.
Whether she’s stunning a crowd with her red hair or rocking a pair of hiking boots that got the internet talking—Malia Ann, as she’s dubbed herself now that she’s a young adult—is slowly but surely becoming one the next style icons. So it’s with that in mind, we felt it fitting to take a look back on how her style has evolved over the years.
Though still under the fashion influence of her parents at the tender age of eight-years-old, the matching white hat, gloves, and scarf is still an early sign of some serious style.
The night her dad won the 2008 presidential election, the entire family opted for a red and black color scheme with the eldest red dress, red cardigan and black tights.
As Malia got older the following year, her individual style shined through as she ditched the matchy-matchy look and opted instead for a colorful mix of an ensemble with a red top, light orange cardigan, gray skirt and cobalt blue tights.
Opting to match her dad at the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Malia sported a blue dress, likely to coincide with the party and Obama’s blue tie.
In another matching Dadd-daughter moment, Malia rocked a black and blue dress (sensing a theme here with this blue) but roped in a little bit of her mom’s flair by adding a hot pink belt.
As a part of TNT’s “Christmas in Washington” special, Malia wore a black velvet dress with a lacy upper lining but added a pop of holiday color with red floral tights.
At the White House State Dinner in 2016, Malia (now nearing age 18) rocked a champagne-colored, strapless, sweetheart neckline Naeem Khan gown with ornate beading.
Opting for a sporty chic look while in Hawaii on vacation with her family, Malia looked cute and casual with a white t-shirt, overall shorts, and baseball cap.
One of the rare times Malia was out and away from her family, the young adult was spotted enjoying her time at Jay-Z’s Made In America festival in 2016 look oh so casual and comfy. She also rocked a message along by wearing a shirt that read “smoking kills” which was ironic considering she has just been seen smoking at Lollapalooza festival in Chicago weeks earlier.
Jump to 2022, as she’s making her way through the town of Los Angeles, Malia continued to lean into the sporty chic, casual aesthetic by rocking a gray cropped jacket, khaki slacks, and a pair of Nikes.
While the exact date on this pic is unknown, last year, Malia leaned into one of the current fashion trends by donning a denim maxi shirt and red top. Little did she know that denim look would continue to be on-trend thanks to Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album the next year.
Leaning into yet another trend—only this time a bit more bold—Malia was spotted wearing mixed floral print patterns while leaving a party thrown by Drake in Los Angeles in 2023.
Standing alongside actress Dominique Fishback at the premiere of her new show Swarm on Prime Video, Malia rocked a classy black and white pinstripe suit in March 2023.
Making her directorial debut for her short film, The Heart, earlier this year at Sundance Film Festival, Malia Ann went for a clean gray and light blue palette with brown knee-high boots and tights.
While the focus back in October 2023 was on Malia’s red hair that was a stark contrast to the brown waist-length braids she’d previously been wearing—we should note her fit here with these fire gray and tan pinstripe pants and cream sweater.
Catching the former First Daughter while walking out a conveniece store, this sweater and trouser look was true definition of off-camera cozy.
Who would’ve thunk Malia would make hiking look so chic?! Thanks to her viral boots, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an uptick of girls hitting the trails afterward.
