Michelle Obama Rocks American Couture

The Presidential Inauguration Day was also one for the fashion books. Michelle Obama wowed the crowd as she stepped out wearing a Thom Browne coat, paired with duck egg blue J.Crew shoes. Her outfit was a departure from the yellow Isabel Toledo ensemble she wore four years ago, revealing the more cutting-edge side of her style sensibility.

The navy and gray tailored coat was made of a thick gray and navy silk fabric that Browne used for ties in his latest menswear collection. For the American designer, who made a name for himself with his avant-garde suits, the exposure is unexpected and could propel him into the mainstream. "It's overwhelming," said Browne to the New York Times, "It's one of those rare moments in someone's career that you will always remember. There's not a word that can really describe it. It's just amazing."

Later in the evening, the First Lady changed to a Jason Wu dress, the same designer she wore four years ago. Contrasting with the memorable white shoulder-strapped gown that she chose in 2009, she opted for a red Grecian frock tied around the neck, which again called attention to her perfectly toned shoulders and arms.

It was another ecstatic moment for the young American designer, who launched his label only six years ago: "When I saw her I was just floored," Wu said to CBS. "I couldn't believe that she chose me for the second time. I'm so proud of it."

Michelle Obama also wore handmade jewelry by Kimberly McDonald and Jimmy Choo pumps, while her husband looked as dashing as ever in a white bow-tie and black tuxedo.