But it seems her expensive taste has not stopped there, as her vacation wardrobe has proved to be equally lavish.
Though the First Lady has only been spotted on a couple of occasions since arriving in Kailua, Oahu, some sartorial analysis of her fashion choices has revealed that her outfits have been consistently high-end.
A classic example, as spotted by the blog Naked DC, was the seemingly simple sundress she chose for a church service at the Kaneohe Bay Marine Base on Christmas Day.
The white frock with red and yellow stripes was certainly pretty and occasion-appropriate, but cheap, it most certainly was not.
A design by French-born, U.S.-based designer Sophie Theallet, who is a favourite with fashion insiders, it would have set Mrs Obama back almost $2,000 when she bought it in 2009.
More recent creations by Theallet sell for even higher figures, a mark-up likely triggered by demand following the First Lady's endorsement of the label.
She deemed it necessary to change for her second photo op later that day, perhaps an opportunity to show off another pricey purchase.
Though the low-key event was just a meet-and-greet with service members and their families in a nearby mess hall, Mrs Obama chose to dress up in a Comme des Garcons skirt. And they don't come cheap - a similar one might cost around $950.
Many consider Mrs Obama's penchant for expensive fashion labels at odds with her position as an everywoman who identifies with the average woman.
One comment on the Naked DC site read: 'She claims to be a champion of the poor and a fellow bargain shopper, but yet, here she is, sporting a dress that no unemployed American can afford.
'For someone who says she understands the troubles of the American people, who claims to shop at Target, she certainly fails to show it.'
Others, though, believe it is up to the First Lady what she spends on her wardrobe.
Fellow commenter Sharon argued: 'While I hate the way she dresses, I must admit that the cost of her clothing is her own affair and none of ours. Taxpayers are not paying for her wardrobe the last I heard.'
Source: dailymail
