The Best Trends Of 2009 (PHOTOS, POLL)

This year was overwhelmingly the year of Michelle Obama. Sartorially speaking, the first lady was a perennial "best," looking impeccable whether dressed to the nines in a strapless Peter Sorenen gown or keeping it casual in a simple cardigan. Whether this can be attributed to the fact that she's one of the most photographed women in the world, an innate sense of confidence, or a combination of the two, it's clear that Mrs. Obama has a knack for mixing high and low with equal aplomb. She will don pieces from ready-to-wear designers' Jason Wu, Azzedine Alaia, Narciso Rodriguez, and Isabel Toledo just as readily as something from mass retailers' Ann Taylor, White + Warren, or J. Crew, and we laud her for that. Michelle Obama aside, other "best" trends that dominated this year were leather, structured and one-shoulder dresses, navy blue, boots in varying lengths, aggressive accessorizing, blazers, plumage, t-shirts, and ballet flats.

Rachel Strugatz can be contacted at rachel.strugatz@huffingtonpost.com