Despite the fact that she’s one of the most known women in the world, Michelle Obama doesn’t care what others think of her. After being in the public eye for eight years as first lady of the United States, she’s gained fans and critics all around the world. Now two years later, she’s opening up about them, specifically in the realm of fashion.

In her highly-anticipated memoir, Becoming, expected to release on Tuesday, Nov. 13, Michelle opened up about her relationship with clothes during her husband’s presidential term. She also sat down with Elle to reflect on how her life has changed since she left the White House.

Michelle revealed she didn’t care much for how she dressed before becoming first lady. That was until she began working with Meridith Koop, her stylist and wardrobe advisor. It was then she began to make a statement by mixing all sorts of brands. “As a black woman, too, I knew I’d be criticized if I was perceived as being showy and high-end, and I’d also be criticized if I was too casual. I’d match a Michael Kors skirt with a T-shirt from Gap. I wore something from Target one day and Diane von Furstenberg the next,” she wrote.

Michelle Obama sitting
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She described her new-found admiration towards fashion as a way to celebrate all kinds of designers, “even those who were less established, even if it sometimes frustrated the old guard, including Oscar de la Renta, who was reportedly displeased that I wasn’t wearing his creations. For me, my choices were simply a way to use my curious relationship with the public gaze to boost a diverse set of up-and-comers.”

When it comes to everything else, Michelle admitted that she didn’t have time to reflect during her eight years as first lady due to how fast-paced things had become. “What I came to realize is that there was absolutely no time to reflect in the White House,” she told Elle. “We moved at such a breakneck pace from the moment we walked in those doors until the moment we left. It was day in and day out because we, Barack and I, really felt like we had an obligation to get a lot done.”⁣⁣

By the looks of it, Michelle now has more time to take it all in while still looking like fabulous!