The First Lady just wrapped her five day tour of South America. As always, when the Obamas goes on tour, Mrs. O ups her outfit ante. Visiting El Salvador, Chile and Brazil Michelle Obama’s looks seemed even more vibrant and boldly colored–a reflection of the culture of South America.

“Mrs. Obama’s wardrobe is consistently referential to the host country or region she’s visiting during trips abroad,” says Mary Tomer, editor and founder of Mrs.O, the blog that details who and what the First Lady wears in meticulous detail. “During the Obama’s trip to India and Indonesia in November 2010, for example, the first lady chose richly embroidered, embellished pieces, and prints with ikat influence.” And though the McQueen gown Michelle Obama wore to the China state dinner caused controversy because she wore a British designer rather than an American one, may interpreted the bright red color as an homage to it’s importance in Chinese culture. “Now in South America, Mrs. Obama has embraced bright colors and bold prints, which appears to be a nod to South American culture,” says Tomer. “Though, to note, this is not such a departure from Mrs. Obama’s day to day style, which tends not to shy away from bold color and print.”

Tomer also pointed out that the First Lady’s stable of favorite designers does not seem to have shifted post-Ikram: “For this trip, Mrs. O has worn ensembles by Tracy Reese, Rachel Roy, Sophie Theallet, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu and Zero + Maria Cornejo…With the exception of Marc by Marc Jacobs, these same designers could be seen in Mrs. Obama’s wardrobe during 2008 and 2009.”

Take a look at Mrs. O’s stunning South American tour wardrobe.