Back at the beginning of the Obama campaign and shortly after becoming First Lady, Michelle Obama’s style was the talk of the fashion world. Some of the initial excitement has faded, but I thought it would be fun to take a look at what Michelle is wearing now, especially when it comes to fancy evening gowns.

Did you see this dress from the dinner with Queen Elizabeth? I LOVE this beautifully elegant and amazingly flattering white dress and long gloves.

In January 2011, Mrs. Obama wore a red Alexander McQueen gown to welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao to a White House State Dinner. While I tend to prefer sleeker lines, she does still look red hot.

And here she is in May 2010 at a State Dinner with the Calderons of Mexico in a stunning blue sparkly one-shoulder.

Now that warm spring weather is on its way, it’s time to resurrect the peasant style! This loose-fitting, fun and stylish look doesn’t work so well when you can’t be outside in the sunshine or need to wear a coat, but it’s great for spring and summer.

This peasant tunic is great to pair with jeans or leggings. It’s simple and comfortable while still being trendy, and comes in several feminine prints.

Another peasant tunic in a different style is this one. It has a self-tie belt to give it some shape, but looks equally great with jeans or leggings.

And if you really want to rock the peasant look, this plus size maxi dress is a good way to pull it off. Throw on some sandals and hip jewelry and you are ready to go. The pullover styling, loose sleeves and scoop neck make it extra comfortable.

Go get your peasant on!

I keep reading the word “surplice,” but when I looked it up in the dictionary, all I found was the definition that describes a priest’s garment. Fortunately the internet came through, and I found this description here.

“In fashion, a surplice is a diagonally crossed neckline and/or bodice. It is also thought of as a ‘faux wrap’ style and creates a deep v-shaped neckline. The surplice is a fashionable and very feminine look used for women's clothing, yet, ironically, it was inspired by garments worn by men.”

So there’s your fashion education for the week! But what does surplice look like?

Here’s an example of a surplice design in a tunic top. Notice the flattering design of the neckline and bodice.

Surplice dresses are also lovely, and the faux wrap is a great look on almost any figure. This pretty print with the ruched bodice goes anywhere.

And surplice bathing suits are classic and slimming, too.

Now that you know what surplice is, you can find ways to incorporate it into your wardrobe for a great new look!

Amy Adams is a Hollywood movie star who’s been in everything from indie films (Junebug) to Disney princess movies (Enchanted). She likes mixing it up on the red carpet (and out on the town), but usually picks classic—and classy—dresses that look great with her red hair and fair skin.

At the Golden Globes a few months ago, she took advantage of the one-shoulder craze to wear this awesome teal gown with scalloped accents. I don’t know if I love the left-hip ruffles, but the rest of it is style-perfect.

Here she is at an awards show in 2009:

I love this dress, too, although if you don’t ever like ruffles, the front isn’t going to do much for you. Still, the color is stunning (I’m a sucker for purple) and she looks great in it.

And finally, this year’s Academy Awards. Her blue dress was absolutely classic and, as Slate magazine put it, very reminiscent of old-time Hollywood star Lauren Bacall.

Check out the jewelry she’s wearing too—it sparkles nearly as much as her dress and adds a fun green addition Oh, yeah, and it was $1.35 MILLION WORTH of bling!

Paisley has some pretty enduring popularity—it’s been mass produced on fabric since 1640! According to Wikipedia, the design comes from India and Persia, but it’s named for a town in Scotland.

While there’s lots of back story about where and why people chose this pattern, I think most people choose to wear it because it’s fun, looks good, and can be used in a variety of ways.

Patterned dresses are one way to incorporate paisley print into your wardrobe. This chic dress in a Boho style has a sweet paisley pattern on a brown background. Another idea is this wrinkle-free and flattering dress that draws attention to your legs and plays up your natural curves.

Finally, this sweet A-line dress has a cool abstract paisley pattern that swirls everywhere and a jewel neckline designed to flatter plus-size figures.

Bring on the paisley!

It’s only February, but a couple of 65-degree days in my area have me pumped for spring, summer, and all those days where you can run outside without bundling up. And of course, dreaming of all that time you can spend on the beach.

And then I saw some warm weather dresses. The great thing about dresses is how versatile they are—they’re not just formalwear. Because they’re cool and flowing, casual dresses are great as a beach wear!

Something like this tiered dress is a good example. Wear it while stretching your legs on the boardwalk or going out for dinner. It can be dressed up or down, too, depending on what the situation requires.

Another beachy option is a cool cover up dress like this one. Throw it on over your bathing suit or just wear it casually. The embellished neckline and trendy style make this one better than just another cover up.

And finally, maxi dresses are just about perfect for the beach. You can wear them as cover ups, but you can just wear them on their own, too. A boldly printed maxi dress like this one adds some style to your beach wear.

I write a lot about trends and trendy clothes on here, because of course trends are fun and everyone wants to be in style. But you can always choose classic pieces, too. Classic pieces never go out of style and can stay in your closet for years…they are a great investment. Today, I’ll talk a bit about classic dresses. Look for my next post when I'll be discussing some other kinds of “classics.”

Some classic dresses…

Sleeveless Shift Dress. A shift dress like this can go anywhere, anytime. In winter, pair with a cardigan and tights. In summer, just throw on a pair of sandals. You can’t go wrong with a shift dress—you can dress it up with jewelry or dress it down for a casual night out.

Tank Dress. A tank dress is just a simple, fun summer piece that you can wear almost anywhere. A cardigan adds modesty if you’re somewhere like a church, and warmth if you’re out on a cool summer evening. Keep this dress in your closet and you’ll always have something to wear.

Sheath Dress. Get a version of this dress in black and you’ll be ready to go at a moment’s notice. Everyone needs a classic black dress. You can wear this to work, but you can also throw on a hot pair of heels and be ready to hit the town for a spontaneous night out.

Ruffles have been a big hit in the last year, and they continue to be a hot trend in 2011. They bring fun feminine accents to almost any piece of clothing, so no wonder they’re so popular!

While you don’t want to go overboard with the ruffles, there are great pieces out there that help bring just the right amount of rufflage (my new word!) into your clothing options.

This layered ruffle blouse is perfect for a party or night-out. With fitted jeans or leggings, you get the feminine look of ruffles paired with a more simple pant.

Another great shirt to wear with leggings or fitted jeans is this pretty ruffle shirt, which you can dress up or down depending on the situation.

And this flattering ruffle sleeve dress gives you just a touch of flair without going ruffle-crazy. Plus the fabric and style make this dress great for travel—just throw it in your suitcase, pull it out at your destination and you’re on your way!

Sleepwear is just fun. I love picking out new pajamas and nightgowns and thinking about what to wear when the weather gets cold. It’s great to be warm and cozy in bed on a cold night!

With sleepwear, you don’t have to worry so much about looking “cool”—you can just pick whatever is comfortable and cute. (Also, pajamas are a great gift idea for family members or good friends.)

This night shirt comes in a wide variety of prints, with lots of fluttery feminine detail. I like the drawstring neck and the woven cotton texture.

Another (longer) option is this sleep dress—same feminine detail, just a little more coverage. This one also comes in a variety of prints and is super comfortable.

For lounging and relaxing before bed or over morning coffee, this waffle terry robe is warm and cozy. I like the texture and softness.

And if you’re looking for pajama pants, check out these plus-size lounge pants. So many prints to choose from! You can cuff them or leave them long, and they’re great for sleeping or just hanging around the house.

With the onset of chilly weather, it’s time to think about updating your winter work wardrobe. Basics like black pants, neutral colored sweaters, boots, and a coat are all important things to have so you can mix and match. Here are a few other outfits you might want to invest in—and then mix the pieces up to create multiple options.

Wide-leg drawstring pants with ruffled sleeve sweater:  These super-comfortable pants are perfect for work or at home—you can wear them all the time. Pair them with something like the ruffled sleeve sweater for a more professional look, or add a fitted top and cardigan for days around the house.

Tweed drawstring pants and tweed cascade jacket: These pants and jacket provide some building blocks for a ton of outfits! For wearing them together, just add a colorful turtleneck or other brightly colored blouse underneath. Separately they’re great neutral pieces that will go with almost anything else in your professional winter wardrobe.

Colorblock dress: This one isn’t pieces, but I still think it’s a great option. It’s very elegant and flattering, with an a-line shape and style, and the cobalt color blocks mixed with the black are striking. I recommend this for work or any kind of fancy social occasion.