Michelle Obama quickly made headlines with her quirky, elegant and affordable fashions. One of the first elements of Obama’s style to take the spotlight was her double stranded akoya pearl necklace. She rarely leaves home without it and it never fails to add a touch of class to every outfit. Here’s an example of a similar necklace to help you achieve the same easy yet sophisticated look as Michelle Obama –

Another staple in Michelle Obama’s jewelry box is her beautiful single stranded, white South Sea pearl necklace. It is a gorgeous strand of huge, white lustrous pearls. The great thing about Michelle Obama is the fact that she isn’t afraid to wear the same necklace to more than one event. She wears this strand of South Sea pearls to political events, with a cardigan out to lunch, everywhere. Her fearlessness to wear the necklace over and over is a great influence for women, especially in this economy. Here is a great alternative to Michelle’s great South Sea pearl necklace –

What about when Michelle Obama hits the town for a fancy event full of celebrities and cameras? You can be sure she will show up dressed to the nines with her loyal pearls draped around her neck. When she appeared at the Time 100 gala she was dressed in a gorgeous full length black dress and piled on the necklaces. She wore some beautiful long strands of black akoya pearls layered with other beaded strands. Here’s how you can snag a look as pulled together as hers –

All of the previous looks were very sophisticated and classy, yet safe. Michelle Obama is definitely not afraid to make a statement with her fashion however. At the Obama’s first White House black tie dinner, Michelle Obama stepped out in an incredible multi-strand pearl statement necklace. It made an incredible show with her glittery black gown. Here’s a great way to make a statement with a pearl necklace too -