Picture of the day: Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama doesn't do trends. Instead she wears clothes that convey a message but never overpower her. For this year's state of the union address she chose a blue silk cocktail dress by Los Angeles-based designer Barbara Tfank, swerving any possible repeat of the criticism she received last year when she chose an Alexander McQueen dress that some people regarded as unpatriotic. Sapphire blue has had a reboot recently, in that it instantly makes people think “regal”. But Mrs O is no Duchess of Cambridge wannabe – she does things her own way. Witness the brooch she's pinned at the centre of the frock. It's a confident way of personalising the dress and channels even more attention on the first lady, who stands out in a pool of dark suits.
Illustration: Photograph: Susan Walsh/AP