First lady of the shift dress: 34 photos that trace Dr Jill Biden's style evolution during her time in the political spotlight

The incoming first lady of the US developed a tried-and-tested fashion formula during her time as wife of the vice president

Dr Jill Biden, in an era-appropriate white blazer, with then-US Senator Joe Biden, at an Illinois Democratic Party Unity dinner in Chicago, Illinois, on May 11, 1987. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in a gold-buttoned cobalt jacket, during a press conference in Washington on September 23, 1987. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in a taupe belted number, attends a press conference as Joe Biden announces his bid for 1988 Democratic presidential nomination. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in a textured wool jacket, attends a rally at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware, on October 31, 2008. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in a crisp blue shirt and pencil skirt, in Washington on 13 January 2009. EPA

Jill Biden, in a belted coat and tailored trousers, Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama wave to the crowd at Obama's inaugural celebration concert in Washington on January 18, 2009. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in Reem Acra, attends the Southern Regional Ball at DC Armory on January 20, 2009 in Washington. Getty Images

Yogi Berra is escorted on to the field by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, in World Series merch, during the MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2009 in New York, US. Getty Images

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a blue skirt suit, arrive at Ben Gurion International Airport on March 8, 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Getty Images

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a pink button-detail dress, arrive at Amman Airport on March 11, 2010 in Amman, Jordan. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in a blazer-inspired shirt, attends the Women's Conference in Long Beach, California, on October 26, 2010. EPA

Prince Harry greets Jill Biden, in a floral shift dress and cardigan, during a reception for wounded soldiers at the British Ambassador's Residence in Washington on May 7, 2012. EPA

Jill Biden, in a navy midi dress, attends the Democratic National Convention at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 6, 2012. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a pussybow coat, attend the inaugural parade in Washington on January 21, 2013. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a red coat and knee-length boots, land at Orly airport in Paris, France, on February 3, 2013. EPA

Jill Biden, in a mauve midi dress, attends an event welcoming British military veterans and their families at Winfield House in London, England, on February 5, 2013. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a floral dress previously worn to meet Prince Harry, arrive at the Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, in New Delhi, India, on July 22, 2013. EPA

Jill Biden, in a lace-trimmed yellow dress, attends a plenary session at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington on August 6, 2014. EPA

Jill Biden, in a striped shift dress and blazer, applauds during a medal ceremony at the Invictus Games on September 14, 2014 in London, England. Getty Images

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a striped short-sleeved dress, arrive in Guatemala City, Guatemala, on March 2, 2015. EPA

Jill Biden, in a colour-blocked shift dress, with Vietnam's First Lady Mai Thi Hanh, visits the Van Mieu temple of literature in Hanoi, Vietnam, on July 20, 2015. EPA

Jill Biden, in a one-sleeved LBD, and Ashley Biden arrive for the 88th annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California, on February 28, 2016. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in chartreuse-embellished florals, arrive at Ben Gurion Airport on March 8, 2016 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Getty Images

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a relaxed white parka, arrive at Marka airport on March 10, 2016 in Amman, Jordan. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in a floral midi, arrives at Panama Pacifico Airport in Panama City, Panama, on June 25, 2016. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a flared sleeveless dress, attend the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2016. EPA

Jill Biden, in a floral shift dress, arrives in Havana, Cuba, on October 6, 2016. EPA

Jill Biden, in a match-ready football shirt, attends a match between the United States and Cuba at Estadio Pedro Marrero on October 7, 2016 in Havana, Cuba. Getty Images

Jill Biden, in an appliqued shift dress, visits the facilities of the paediatric foundation Por Un Manana in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on October 10, 2016. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a hot-pink pencil dress, with Mike and Karen Pence, before the inauguration in Washington on January 20, 2017. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in Gabriela Hearst, during a caucus night watch party in Des Moines, Iowa, on February 3, 2020. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a relaxed blouse and pencil skirt, at the National Constitution Centre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 10, 2020. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in a pale pink coat, at an Election Night event at the Chase Centre in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 3, 2020. EPA

Joe Biden and Jill Biden, in Oscar de la Renta, attend a celebratory event at the Chase Centre in Wilmington, Delaware, on November 7, 2020. EPA

She may become the first lady of the US for the first time as her husband, Joe Biden, is inaugurated on Wednesday, but this is not Dr Jill Biden's first rodeo.

The American educator, 69, served as the second lady of the US – informally known as Slotus – between 2009 to 2017, when her husband was vice president to Barack Obama.

Thanks to Joe's long-running career in politics, Jill has had many years to get ready for the glare of the political spotlight.

And, during that time, she's finessed her fashion formula when it comes to stepping out at rallies, events and political visits.

The professor of English, who married the president-elect in 1977, developed something of a style signature during Obama's presidency, frequently donning shift dresses in bright, bold block colours or vibrant florals.

The incoming Flotus is also no stranger to modern tailoring, dabbling in peplum-hemmed blazers, relaxed collared shirts and well-cut outerwear.

However, she rarely lets her outfits overshadow her work. Though she has been known to wear designers, including Reem Acra, Dolce & Gabbana and Gabriela Hearst, little can be found about the labels she has worn during her husband's many campaign trails. She also, refreshingly, advocates slow fashion, choosing to rewear key pieces on several occasions.

Here, we take a look at how the new first lady's style has evolved throughout her time in the spotlight.

Scroll through the gallery above to see more images of Jill Biden through the years.