Whether rocking a $35 frock or a myriad of designer duds, Michelle Obama‘s wardrobe choices always turn heads.

Last night’s State of the Union ensemble was no exception. As the President declared his intent to help buoy the 99 percent (“Asking a billionaire to pay at least as much as his secretary in taxes? Most Americans would call that common sense,” he declared), his wife dazzled in a cobalt sheath from Barbara Tfank’s resort collection.

While reps for the brand won’t reveal the item’s retail price, a similar style from the collection is currently available at Barneys New York for $2,400.

This isn’t the first time the First Lady has worn the Los Angeles-based designer’s sophisticated wares. Last year, she met with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wearing a seafoam brocade design topped with a bubblegum pink stole.

“Everything in my closet is something that I love,” Obama has said. “So that I can make choices based on what makes sense, knowing that I’m going to love whatever it is.”

–Justine Harman

EMULATE SIZZLING STAR STYLE IN: ‘GET THE LOOK FOR LESS’

Recycling is chic, but is recycling a red carpet dress a fashion faux pas? Carey Mulligan may be pondering that question today after she wore Roland Mouret’s “Carstone” berry red jersey dress twice in a span of two weeks.

The Shame star first stepped out in the girly frock on Jan. 6 during a party in Los Angeles, pairing the look with black peep-toe pumps. Then Thursday, Mulligan surfaced in London, this time wearing her Mouret with blue suede heels at the London Critics’ Circle Film Awards.

We love the dress — and Mulligan! — and the U.K.’s Telegraph even speculates there’s a method to her manner of dress: Colin Firth’s wife, Livia, is launching her Green Carpet Challenge, asking actresses to wear eco-friendly or pre-worn gowns during awards season. According to the paper, Firth persuaded an A-list star to rule the red carpet in recycled looks, so perhaps Mulligan is her girl? Regardless, we want to know what you think of the double take. Tell us: Is it cool for an actress to re-wear a gown?

CATCH UP ON ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND PHOTOS FROM THE RED CARPET

While reviewing her haute highlights from the past year, Jessica Alba reveals a surprising affinity for maternity looks.

“I feel sexiest in things that I feel the most confident in,” she tells InStyle.com, indicating a “really fun, youthful and feminine” Dolce & Gabbana halter dress (left) she wore eight months along. “I liked that it was a little edgy for such a feminine dress. I liked that combination.”

The star’s willingness to step out on the red carpet during pregnancy may have a little something to do with her It’s a Brad, Brad World star stylist, Brad Goreski. “[We] show people that even though you’re pregnant you can still look really cute,” he told PEOPLE last summer.

Other memorable moments include a metallic, one-shouldered Gucci mini, which she calls “the sexiest of the year,” and a cobalt Versace column, which perfectly shrouded an emerging belly. “It was very sexy and I felt very statuesque in it and that was when I was four months pregnant,” she gushes.

In spite of all of the sexy moments, Alba also remembers a gilded Thakoon frock (right) fondly. “It fits well,” she states simply. “And I love the little bit of gold.”

–Justine Harman

WEIGH IN ON MORE STAR STYLE IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK: HIT OR MISS?’

She has one of the most fabulous figures in Hollywood, but even Kate Winslet gets a little help looking slim sometimes. The star once again turned to Stella McCartney on Sunday, wearing a red-and-black version of the designer’s “miracle” dress (also known as the “Octavia,” $1595) to the Carnage premiere in Paris. The stretch cotton sheath is so nicknamed because its black side panels seriously flatter the figure.

Winslet has always been a fan of McCartney’s designs, wearing a sexy cut-out LBD to the Mildred Pierce premiere in March. But considering we rarely see her repeating dresses, it was surprising to see her in another of McCartney’s “miracle” dresses after wearing the original “Octavia” to the Venice Film Festival in September.

Liv Tyler and Lala Vazquez are also fans of the sheath, and Penélope Cruz wore a similar style to the Cannes Film Festival in May. The dresses are so popular, in fact, that knock-offs have popped up everywhere from ASOS.com to Topshop. “Usually when someone wears a dress no one else wants to wear it,” PEOPLE StyleWatch editor Kate Dimmock tells GMA. “This time around, people are willing to go there, because it’s that irresistible.”

SEE MORE DESIGNER MUST-HAVES IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK: HIT OR MISS?’

Oh yes she did! The always pin-up-perfect Dita Von Teese dared to double dip her famous curves in the same Jean Paul Gaultier gown at two events just days apart. And the burlesque diva, who first donned the haute couture creation last Wednesday night to fête the designer himself at the opening of The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art, doesn’t care.

“I don’t agree that you can only wear things once,” she told InStyle.com while working what she called her “favorite dress in the world” again over the weekend at the MoCA gala in Los Angeles. “I think when you have something you really love, there should be nothing that stops you from enjoying it.”

A fearless fashionista, Von Teese is also financially savvy. “When a dress costs as much as a Mercedes, you want to wear it more than once,” she joked. Makes (fashion) sense to us! Tell us: What are your rules on rewearing dresses?

–Christie LaRusso

CATCH STARS FACING OFF IN THE SAME FASHIONS!

The wait is almost over! The fourth line in Macy’s designer collaboration series, a capsule collection by Giambattista Valli, debuts in stores on Oct. 26. Arriving just in time for the holidays, it includes cute separates and perfect party dresses in an array of prints and hues.

“This capsule reflects my enduring loves, but is really a celebration of my biggest inspiration of all — the energy and vitality of women themselves,” the designer said in a release. “I love dressing them for all their happiest moments, making them feel as special as possible. This collection is a passport into my world and a chance to experience the passion and romance of my house and Paris itself.”

Highlights of the collection — also inspired by Valli’s travels — are ruffled skirts, feminine blouses, pants and jackets in lace, tweed and faux fur. Prices run from $50-$150.

Valli, born in Italy, is a French designer who served as artistic director for Emanuel Ungaro before launching his own line in 2005, and is a favorite of stars like Olivia Palermo and Leighton Meester. His Macy’s collection follows lines by Kinder Aggugini, Matthew Williamson and Karl Lagerfeld. Tell us: Will you shop the Valli collection?

Courtesy Macy’s

SHOP STAR LOOKS FOR LESS

She rocked Hollywood in a lavender McQueen gown and of course famously married in a dress by the British design house. So when will we see the Duchess of Cambridge in a look by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen again?

Judging by Tuesday’s runway show at Paris Fashion Week, it could be a while. The brand’s spring/summer 2012 collection was gorgeous — the catwalk was studded with organza gowns and lace dresses that were downright dreamy. According to Style.com (where you can see every look), Burton was inspired by “the three Gs: Grès for the pleating and draping, Gaudí for the architecture and Gaia for the sense of all-encompassing oceanic life that infused the clothes.” (Funnily enough, Chanel’s Tuesday show carried an aquatic theme, too.)

But Kate’s style sense often leans toward the functional — she tends to choose classic cuts and colors over elaborate couture creations. However, given her love of McQueen, it’s hard not to imagine the newlywed donning one of Burton’s latest looks for her next big charity event. So tell us: Which McQueen should Kate wear next?

–Kate Hogan

CATCH UP ON THE LATEST PARIS FASHION WEEK PHOTOS

A dress that nips in along the sides and waist and accents the girls? Yes, please. Stella McCartney’s $1595 bicolour “Octavia” dress – dubbed the “miracle dress” by various media outlets — is popping up on red carpets everywhere, worn by Liv Tyler, Lala Vazquez and most famously, Kate Winslet.

“It’s like retouching your body with a frock,” stylist June Ambrose tells the New York Post. And since it’s made of a sturdy cotton-stretch fabric, “it’s like a girdle, and gives you that svelte silhouette,” she adds. “In my opinion, this is the perfect dress.”

Since the dress — which Good Morning America says makes the wearer look two sizes smaller — is so popular, naturally, a bevy of knockoffs are popping up online.

GMA found a gray-and-purple version for $57 at Topshop; Racked.com also found a red-and-black style on ASOS.com (below) for $82. “Usually when someone wears a dress no one else wants to wear it,” PEOPLE StyleWatch editor Kate Dimmock tells GMA. “This time around, people are willing to go there, because it’s that irresistible.” Tell us: Would you buy a “miracle dress?”

Courtesy ASOS

SHOP STAR LOOKS FOR LESS

When she was told she wasn’t pretty enough for fame, she persevered, so it’s not surprising to learn that on her rise to fame Lea Michele didn’t listen to unsolicited fashion advice, either.

“Ryan Murphy had told me, ‘Don’t wear black. You should never wear black,’” she recalls to InStyle.com when talking about her first Golden Globes. “So my stylist pulled floral, beautiful colors.”

But once another dress caught her eye, there was no turning back. “As I’m walking to the bathroom to try them on, I see the Oscar [de la Renta] dress hanging up in her closet. I said ‘I’m wearing that,’” she shares. “And I called Ryan, and said ‘Ryan, I’m wearing black!’” Looks like putting her well-heeled foot down paid off: the dress earned raves, and the Glee star calls it one of her “most memorable” red carpet gowns. Tell us: Are there any colors you don’t wear?

–Kim Peiffer

VOTE ON STARS’ STYLES IN ‘FASHION FACEOFF’

We do know how she does it: with killer fashion instincts, a delicate frame and a very bright smile. Sarah Jessica Parker has spent the week promoting her new film, I Don’t Know How She Does It, in Moscow and London, looking super stylish along the way.

On Sunday, Parker visited Moscow’s Manolo Blahnik store (so Carrie Bradshaw of her!) in a charming, strapless white Chanel dress trimmed with red-and-pink accents. Wednesday, she surfaced in London in a pink Chanel Haute Couture jacket with embroidered sleeves (topped off with major bun); that same day, she sported a flowing taupe frock covered up with a cropped yellow blazer, also by Chanel.

But the high fashion didn’t stop there: Parker continued her London visit Wednesday in a black-and-white-striped dress by Salvatore Ferragamo covered up with a L’Agence coat. And Thursday, the sunny star popped up at a press event in Prabal Gurung; she also wore one of his dresses over the weekend to promote the film in Moscow.

With so much style — including a dramatic red caped gown worn to another presentation in Moscow last weekend — we have to ask: which of Parker’s premiere looks is your favorite?

–Kate Hogan

WEIGH IN ON STAR STYLE IN ‘FASHION FACEOFF’

She’s scored a solo magazine cover and suited up for Leah Madden’s swimwear line, and now, Kendall Jenner is continuing her successful modeling career with dress designer Sherri Hill. “I had the most amazing photo shoot this weekend,” Jenner writes on her website. “We shot over two days and I got to wear the most gorgeous prom dresses and work with a really great team.”

In the photos, Jenner shows off sequined dresses while sporting perfectly-coiffed hair and party-ready makeup. According to the Keeping Up with the Kardashians star, Paul Anthony and Kate Best did hair and makeup and photographer Fadil Berisha took the pictures.

The shots are a departure from one of Jenner’s recent modeling sessions; the teen star drew negative reactions after posing in swimwear last summer at age 14. Jenner responded to critics, saying her family was supportive of her modeling career, and that she “wouldn’t do anything [she] wasn’t ready to do, or didn’t want to do.”

–Kim Peiffer

VOTE ON STAR STYLE IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK: HIT OR MISS?’

Hollywood’s hottest new dress has major stars in stripes! Since Aug. 2, six sexy celebs have stepped out in Express’s three-quarter sleeved striped dress (Emily Blunt sported the black-and-white version for a night out on the town) — a steal at only $50.

Each star’s own spin on the dress showed off its versatility. From left, Amanda Seyfried and Emmy Rossum added casual accessories to walk about town; Zoë Saldana belted hers and added posh camel accessories to run errands; January Jones continued her maternity chic streak by adding embellished sandals and a slate bag; and Olivia Munn hit the red carpet in knee-high boots and gold necklaces.

You can share the stars’ style by nabbing the dress yourself — it’s still available at Express.com — but first tell us: Who wore her striped Express dress best?

–Alex Apatoff
VOTE ON MORE FASHION FACEOFFS!

Teens everywhere have been amping up their wardrobes with eclectic pieces from Madonna and daughter Lourdes’s juniors clothing line, Material Girl. And now, the mother-daughter team is building up the brand to include beauty products, intimates and sleepwear, plus outerwear, party dresses and an expanded denim line. First up are intimates and sleepwear, which debut in stores this month and will include everything from solid and polka-dot push-up bras to bustiers, sweatpants and even girly boxers. Next will come beauty products, including nail polish, lip glosses, body sprays and lotions, all hitting stores on Aug. 15, with eye palettes launching on Sept. 15. 
”It was so much fun getting to pick all of my favorite scents for the Material Girl body products and lip glosses,” Lourdes told WWD. “The body products have fun names like Wicked Watermelon, Flirty Fruit, Midnight Magnolia and Sinful Sugar. I chose scents that I loved.” After girls everywhere start smacking their lips with the new glosses, they can stock up on fall fashions like studded and acid-wash skinny jeans, outerwear like cape coats and bomber jackets, and a collection of sequin-covered, feather-accessorized dresses, also coming to stores in fall. We wonder if the brand’s famous face, Kelly Osbourne, is excited about the new additions! Shop the line only at Macy’s and macys.com. Tell us: What do you think of Material Girl’s expansion plans? –Kim Peiffer

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

Ashley Hebert has to break yet another heart on tonight’s episode of The Bachelorette, but at least she’ll look cute doing so! During this evening’s rose ceremony in Hong Kong, the reality starlet will be decked out in a short, shimmery dress by designer Randi Rahm. “It’s a very beautiful color on her,” Rahm tells PEOPLE of the baby blue creation. “It’s sleek, young and feminine. City-like, but old-world exotic. It will be fabulous at sunset.” Hebert, who let three guys go last week, has worn Rahm’s creations throughout this season of The Bachelorette. “Cary [Fetman] the costume designer and I really worked closely before and during filming,” Rahm reveals. “I provided him with options for Ashley that worked well on her shape and her coloring, and she just fell in love with them.” Rahm, who says Hebert wears her clothes “quite well,” especially loved seeing the star in the Swarovski crystal-studded “Diamond AB” gown during the first rose ceremony. “It was absolutely breathtaking,” she says. But she hints that there’s much more to come. “Wait until you see the finale look — now that’s unreal,” Rahm reveals, adding that she hopes her relationship with Hebert continues once the show is over. “I’d really like to design her wedding gown, when she finds that special guy,” she says. “What a culmination that would be!”

YOU ASKED, WE FOUND: STAR LOOKS

Auburn-haired California beauty Alyssa Campanella wowed the crowd Sunday night as she took home the new title of Miss USA 2011 — and she did so in a stunning custom dress by designer Sherri Hill. The pageant princess’s gown featured a tulle bodice studded with French beads, sequins and Swarovski crystals, and a skirt made of silk taffeta, which was then fashioned with horsehair to give the dress its architectural shape. “Alyssa broke all ‘pageant rules’ by wearing an unusual high fashion design,” Hill tells InStyle.com, “and choosing emerald green for competition rather than a more traditional pageant color.” Campanella — a natural blonde and self-proclaimed “history geek” who dates actor Torrance Coombs — will represent the United States in fine fashion at Miss Universe in September. Tell us: What do you think of Campanella’s dress? –Kim Peiffer

WEIGH IN ON STAR STYLE IN ‘LAST NIGHT’S LOOK: HIT OR MISS?’

No one thought Céline Dion’s return to the Las Vegas stage would be anything but dazzling — and the singer certainly doesn’t disappoint. To kick off her second three-year residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas — which begins today — Dion has got glitz, glam and costume changes galore, and stylist Annie Horth gave PEOPLE the scoop on the couture creations. Some fun facts: Dion’s “iconic” opening gown, by Armani Privé, was picked to show off the singer’s fab post-baby bod and contains more than 25,000 crystals; a chic Balmain mini weighs about 30 lbs.; the star even provides some of her own jewelry for the show. Check out our gallery of her looks, then tell us: Are you excited for her stylish return to the stage? –Alex Apatoff

SEE MORE STAGE-WORTHY STYLE IN ‘LIGHTS! CAMERA! FASHION!’

The focus of Monaco’s weekend Grand Prix may have been the big race, but Prince Albert II’s fiancé, Charlene Wittstock, was in a fashionable Grand Prix of her own. The South African former swimmer wore not one, but five custom ensembles created by Swiss designer Albert Kriemler of Akris for various happenings surrounding the prestigious event. First up, a black stone appliqué corseted bustier with silk chiffon pants, which she accessorized with the Akris “Alice bag,” worn to the Amber Lounge Fashion Monaco event on May 27. For the Grand Prix qualifying race May 28, she wore a sand-hued double-face cotton gabardine bustier with matching skirt; that evening she went elegant in her namesake “Miss Charlene” one-shouldered silk jersey dress. Wittstock continued to show off her designer of choice by sporting two looks the following day: she chose a printed voile day dress in the morning and for the evening gala, she paired an olive paillette gown with a mini “Ai” bag in horsehair. This isn’t the first time Wittstock has chosen Akris for a momentous occasion — she recently wore a custom Akris frock to the royal wedding. However, she’ll be walking down the aisle in a Giorgio Armani gown during her upcoming nuptials on July 2. Tell us: What do you think of Wittstock’s wardrobe changes? –Kim Peiffer

Courtesy Akris

SEE MORE CLASSIC ROYAL STYLE

What happens when the Duchess of Cambridge chooses a $340 dress from a popular British chain store for her first official duty as a newlywed? It sells out that day, of course! Catherine picked the simply elegant “Shola” sheath for her meeting (alongside her new husband Prince William) with the equally stylish Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama. And predictably, when the news spread of her wearing it, Reiss’s website crashed from all the traffic. The retailer has announced that they are re-stocking the sold-out style, but it will be first come, first serve to buy it — no pre-orders are being taken! However, there is a list that will alert you as soon as the style is back in stock in the next five to six weeks, which you can access at reissonline.com.

READ MORE ON WILLIAM AND CATHERINE HERE!

She may be stylish, but the Duchess of Cambridge constantly proves that looking chic isn’t just for royalty. Catherine chose one of her go-to brands, British retailer Reiss, when she and new husband Prince William met with President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at Buckingham Palace, marking their first royal duty since their wedding on April 29. The “Shola” dress, a taupe-colored fitted frock that showed off her slim figure, retails for $340 and can be purchased on reissonline.com, although it’s sure to sell out quickly (UPDATE: Reiss’s webste is crashing due to the high volume of traffic today with more of the dresses going up online soon!). She accessorized her look with an Anya Hindmarch black clutch. And this wasn’t the first time the Duchess chose Reiss for a momentous occasion — she picked a cream-colored dress by the high street label to wear in her engagement photos several months before the royal wedding. Tell us: What do you think of the Duchess of Cambridge’s latest Reiss pick? –Kim Peiffer, with reporting by Monique Jessen

Being the Bachelorette may come with heartbreak, but it also comes with a sexy new wardrobe! New Bachelorette Ashley Hebert has chosen designer Randi Rahm’s evening gowns and cocktail dresses for the show’s “dramatic” rose ceremonies, where Hebert edits down her list of potential mates. For tonight’s season premiere (9 p.m. on ABC), Hebert selected Rahm’s Swarovski crystal-studded “Diamond AB” gown to wear while facing her suitors. “Randi’s looks capture the excitement, glamour and a bit of glitz that makes dressing both fashionable and fantasy,” Bachelorette costumer Cary Fetman said in a release. “Both Ashley and I love the sexy hugs and curves that Randi’s dresses provide.” Known for her use of dramatic colors and sleek embellishments, Rahm has also dressed stars like Beyoncé, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Halle Berry, Fergie and Carrie Underwood. Tell us: Will you be watching the Bachelorette? –Kim Peiffer

SEE MORE ON-SCREEN STYLE IN ‘LIGHTS! CAMERA! FASHION!’