Malia and Sasha Obama Make a Rare Outing at the Presidential Center Opening — and Their Looks Are Turning Heads — Photos

editor editoronJuly 1, 2026

A distinguished group of political leaders gathered to honor a significant architectural milestone on the South Side, though one notable figure was missing from the historic lineup. In this photo, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, and former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton posed ahead of the dedication ceremony for the opening of the Barack Obama Presidential Center at John Lewis Plaza on June 18, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois. | Source: Getty Images

At the center of it all were, of course, Barack and Michelle Obama, who took the stage joined by their daughters, Malia and Sasha, marking one of the rare instances the sisters have appeared together at a major public event since their family left the White House back in 2017.

Sasha showed up with a look that balanced relaxed and polished in equal measure. She chose an off-the-shoulder white top, cinched at the waist with an oversized belt, paired with a matching midi skirt that gave the entire outfit a flowing, boho edge.

She finished the look with a Stone Fruit Peeled Ring and a pair of Miu Miu sandals finished with eye-catching metal embellishments that tied the whole ensemble together.

Those sandals are not exactly easy to find right now. They have reportedly been selling out across Saks Fifth Avenue, Farfetch, Fwrd, and Miu Miu’s own website, and given the kind of attention Sasha’s outfit is already getting, that shortage probably is not ending anytime soon.

Malia took a different approach entirely, opting for something with a little more edge. She wore a light gray blazer with a plunging neckline, styled with nothing underneath, and paired it with a dark gray miniskirt for a sharp, fashion-forward finish.

Her copper boho braids were styled down in a center part, and she rounded out the look with matching pointed-toe heels. Specific pieces from her outfit included a St. Agni blazer, kitten heel pumps, and a trio of rings: the Stone Fruit Barrel Ring, Bite Ring, and Pulp Ring.

It did not take long for people to weigh in, and the reactions ranged from admiration to outright teasing.

On Facebook, the comment section quickly filled up with people debating who the sisters take after most. One person wrote, “They look nothing like they’re Dad’s [sic]! ,” while another insisted, “Malia is her mother’s twin .”

Plenty of commenters were simply taken aback by how grown-up the sisters looked, given that Malia was 10 and Sasha was 7 when their father became president.

“Omg how they have grown into such beautiful young ladies!,” one person wrote. Another went further, breaking down the family resemblance in detail, noting, “His oldest has Barracks mothers features. Did you see they are taller then mom . Both kids scholars like mom [sic].”

Malia’s daring blazer choice did not slip past anyone either. “I think one forgot her shirt!” one commenter joked, and someone else echoed the sentiment more directly, writing, “Malia forgot to put on her shirt.”