Before departing Puerto Rico in 2017, following meeting victims of the devastating Hurricane Maria, the former first lady was seen wearing a pair of US$170 Timberland boots.

She also wore Converse trainers on multiple occasions. While hosting the Boys and Girls Club at the White House in 2017, she wore a navy pair of Converse trainers – which typically cost around US$50 – to plant and harvest vegetables.

After returning to the White House from a weekend at presidential retreat Camp David in 2017, she was seen wearing an affordable top from J. Crew. The pink gingham button-up shirt, which the first lady paired with casual pink pants, retailed for US$75.

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After another weekend away, she was spotted wearing a pair of J Brand jeans. They were on the slightly pricier side at US$190.

Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama has never been a stranger to affordable fashion. While campaigning for Barack Obama’s first term in 2008, during an appearance on The View, she wore a dress from White House Black Market. The US$150 black-and-white printed dress seemingly sold out overnight and shot designer Donna Ricco to fame.

While attending the G20 Summit in 2009, her outfit came entirely from J. Crew, from the glitzy US$300 cardigan to the US$160 mint green pencil skirt. She layered a US$20 tank top, the most affordable part of her outfit, under her cardigan.

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That same year, Obama wore an affordable dress from H&M while appearing on The Today Show. She altered the US$35 polka dot dress to include sleeves, according to InStyle.

She turned heads in an Asos dress while campaigning in Iowa in 2012. The fit-and-flare, ‘50s-style dress originally retailed for US$95, according to Fashionista. Actress Jessica Alba later wore the same dress in 2014.

Obama wore a colourful floral dress from Talbots in 2013. The former first lady was spotted wearing pieces from the brand throughout her husband’s presidency, but this dress stands out as one of her most affordable looks. The yellow printed dress retailed for US$55 when Obama was spotted wearing it, down from its original price of US$170.

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Barbara Bush

Barbara Bush wore a strand of fake pearls and a pair of US$30 shoes to George H.W. Bush’s inaugural ball in 1989. According to The New York Times, Bush wore the necklace many times throughout her life in the public eye – so much so that the pearls became her signature. Designed by jeweller Kenneth Jay Lane specifically for her, they cost just US$165 to this day.

Betty Ford

Betty Ford was a fan of designer Albert Capraro, whose prices were affordable.

After spotting designs by then-31-year-old Capraro in a Washington newspaper, the first lady was impressed by his commitment to using American-made fabrics and his affordable price ranges. According to People, Capraro charged just US$80 for day dresses and under US$200 for evening gowns in 1975.

Ford asked Capraro to visit her to “sound out her spring wardrobe”, and the pair continued working together throughout her time in the White House.