Michelle Obama sporting shorts. Photo: Mandel Ngan, AFP/Getty Images

We've always admired Michelle Obama's willingness to take fashion risks. And yesterday, even on her day off, she continued to take them, wearing shortish shorts on her family holiday at the Grand Canyon.

With sneakers, an unbuttoned blouse over a white tee or cami, jaunty white baseball cap and a bright lavender plastic timepiece by Toywatch, Michelle looked every bit the standard American tourist (albeit one with a pretty big entourage).

The shorts were far more casual than her usual chic dresses and belted cardigans. They showed off her muscular legs and were probably just the right thing for hiking on a hot day.







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Style Evolution: Michelle Obama
The First Lady of fashion has certainly been a risk-taker in terms of her sartorial choices. Click on to view some of her best (and occasionally not-so-great) style moments.
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New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

    Sunny Skies First Lady Michelle Obama visits the Palazzo del Governo of L'Aquila in L'Aquila, Italy wearing a yellow floral Liz Claiborne cardigan and chartreuse pleated J. Crew skirt. Mrs. Obama completed the look with her signature accessory--a brooch--from Moschino.

    Vittorio Zunino Celotto, Getty Images

    Michelle Obama is all smiles as she leaves the Colosseum after a private tour of the ancient monument in Rome, Italy. She wears a white cotton silk dress by Narciso Rodriguez.

    Christopher Furlong, Getty Images

    First Lady Michelle Obama arrives in Rome, Italy with President Barack Obama wearing this yellow Jason Wu sheath with a bright green flower brooch.

    Mauro Scrobogna, LaPresse / AP

    Pomp and Circumstance Michelle Obama wears a black and white Jason Wu frock and black kitten heels to the graduation ceremony for the National School of Economics at Gostiny Dvor in Moscow.

    Saul LOEB, AFP / Getty Images

    First Lady Michelle Obama takes a stroll in Moscow alongside Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's wife, Svetlana, wearing a white twin set paired with black trousers and a large statement necklace by Dana Lorenz. Luxury goods company VBH allegedly boasts that Michelle is toting their $5,950 black alligator manila bag.

    VLADIMIR RODIONOV, AFP/Getty Images

    Peachy Keen Michelle Obama deplaned in Moscow with her family donning this monochromatic ensemble--a Narciso Rodriguez dress, Michael Kors collarless coat, and Sonia Rykiel belt.

    DMITRY KOSTYUKOV, Getty Images

    Bon Voyage! First Lady Obama departs for Moscow in style wearing a floral Talbots dress, paired with a yellow Dear Cashmere cardigan and clear Sonia Rykiel belt.

    Luis M. Alvarez, AP

    Michelle Obama went for an understated, chic look on Independence Day at the White House in this black and white empire waist Narciso Rodriguez dress and silver flats.

    Brendan Hoffman, Getty Images

    Michelle Obama wears a cropped jacket with short kimono sleeves and a silver Givenchy belt for a LGBT Pride Event in Washington, DC. The First Lady donned the same cincher in France for the D-Day anniversary.

    Gerald Herbert, AP Photo

    First Lady Michelle Obama leaves the House of Commons in London wearing Hussein Chalayan.

    Oli Scarff, Getty Images