Election day is approaching, meaning President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama’s time in the White House is nearing an end.

Michelle Obama solidified her title as one of the best dressed first ladies in the history of the administration at the Italy State Dinner Tuesday evening.

It was the Obama’s final State Dinner.

The first lady graced the stage in a rose gold metallic Versace gown projecting a subliminal message of respect to Italy.

Gianni Versace is an Italian designer who founded his brand in 1978. Since then, Versace and its diffusion lines have become a renowned name in the fashion industry selling top of the line, Italian made designs. Donatella Versace, Gianni Versace’s sister, became the brand’s chief designer after he was murdered 1997. Michelle Obama’s gown exemplified a coat of armor for women.

The dress was a symbolic representation of her speech on Oct. 13 in New Hampshire.

The first lady gave a prevailing, women-empowering speech in reference to Donald Trump’s lewd comments about women and sexual harassment.

“This is not politics as usual. This is disgraceful. It is intolerable,” Michelle Obama said. Her final State Dinner was not the only occasion she graciously embodied her legacy as a true fashion icon.

Michelle Obama wore an elegant red Alexander McQueen gown to the January 2011 State Dinner.

The silk dress featured a black floral pattern, and she wore her hair in a classic up-do.

When the Obama’s hosted a State Dinner with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and the Republic of Korea’s First Lady Kim Yoon-ok, Michelle Obama was truly stunning in a dress by Korean-American designer Doo-Ri Chung.

The first lady glowed in a pleated, striking purple off the shoulder gown with a beaded turquoise belt.

Her ensemble was accompanied by a large gold bangle and dangling gold earrings.

As if she had not already proven her amazing sense of style, First Lady Michelle Obama once again stunned the nation in a Carolina Herrera design in February of 2014.

Michelle Obama looked like royalty in the “liberty blue” skirt with a billowing train. A black velvet belt hugged her waist, and she wore a black, scoop-neck, sheer cover up with hand embroidered beading.

The first lady continued to rave in true classical elegance when she appeared in possibly her most iconic look.

A photo of President Obama giving a thumbs-up to his wife’s black, off the shoulder mermaid gown went viral. The gown was designed by Vera Wang, an American designer of Chinese descent.

Wang is most well-known for designing exquisite wedding gowns.

She also worked as an editor at Vogue magazine before leaving the company in 1987.

Michelle Obama’s gown had sheer sleeves that fell off her shoulders and a small V-neck showing her a small bit of cleavage.

Her hair was pushed to one side with loose curls falling over her face and shoulder. She was justifiably the star of the night as President Obama pointed out how beautiful she looked.

Michelle Obama proved to the country that she is the epitome of timeless beauty in a photo shoot for The New York Times Style Magazine.

The first lady posed for a series of headshots displaying her ageless beauty accompanied by a story titled, “To the First Lady, With Love.” The story’s subhead said, “Four thank-you noted to Michelle Obama, who has spent the past eight years quietly and confidently changing the course of American History.”

As the American people head towards choosing a new president, Michelle Obama’s effortless beauty and poise shall never be forgotten.

Thaija Evans can be reached at 581-2812 or tvevans@eiu.edu.