Michelle Obama's Kennedy Center Honors Gowns

2016: Michelle Obama in Gucci

President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrive for a reception to honor recipients of the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

Let's start with the actual news, that being the one she wore most recently. I think I like it. Certainly it's EXTREMELY festive, although my jury is still deliberating on the tiny little ribcage string that's attempting to encircle her.

I sort of wish she'd chosen an American designer for her last one, but she's certainly under no obligation to, especially if none of the options she was presented were as workable. Honestly, what I like the least about this is the hair, I think. The sharp, sleep center-part bob isn't her best look and I think it's almost too informal for evening -- or at least possibly for that gown.

Still, overall my feeling is: She brought some high-quality glamour.

2009: Michelle Obama in Peter Soronen

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama applaud with singer and songwriter Bruce Springsteen (L) during the Kennedy Center Honors December 6, 2009 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)

This was her first one; sitting next to Bruce Springsteen isn't the worst way to jump into the festivities, eh? It's hard to get full pictures of these -- it seems the photo services' access varies, and Getty doesn't always get the love on this one -- so regrettably this is the best I've got. But I can see how this would move wonderfully well, and the color is aces.

2010: Michelle Obama in Naeem Khan

He's one of her favorite designers, but for me this is not one of his better offerings to her. It's not as flattering as I want it to be when you see the whole shot. She did NOT skimp on the earrings, though.

2011: Michelle Obama in Vera Wang

Very pretty. I wish the photo wasn't so dark.

2012: Michelle Obama in Michael Kors

This is one of my favorites. I'm easily wooed by gold.

2013: Michelle Obama in Marchesa

I still MOSTLY love this, and might wish the droopy arm bits weren't there. Or... weren't as droopy.

2014: Michelle Obama in Monique Lhiillier

This is at the bottom of the list for me. By a fairly wide margin.

2015: Michelle Obama in Oscar de la Renta

And THIS is a great one. I think the Michael Kors is my favorite, and after that I'm torn. Hmm. Okay, taking into account ALL the styling, I'm going to commit: Gold Kors, this Oscar (you need to see the whole thing to know its full glories), the green Marchesa, the Vera Wang, the Gucci, the Peter Soronen, Naeem Khan, Monique.