The G20 Wives - Who's The Most Stylish First Lady?

by Laura Kenney (Subscribe to Laura Kenney's posts)
Posted Apr 2nd 2009 at 2:30PM

Talk about power dressing.

At the G20 summit in London, the headline news is being made at the summit talks, but the style news was made last night at London's Royal Opera House, where the first lades gathered to enjoy The Royal Opera and The Royal Ballet. We think Michelle Obama was the most fashion forward, creating a classic 50's silhouette with a full Jason Wu skirt, but adding edge with an asymmetric teal and argyle cardigan by Japanese designer Junya Watanabe.

But we want your opinion. Vote in the poll below, then check out all of Michelle's G20 outfits.

Who's the most stylish G20 wife? (listed from left in above picture)
Ban Soon Taek, wife of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon	161 (1.7%)
Chikako Aso, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso	284 (3.0%)
Laureen Harper, wife of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper	518 (5.6%)
Gursharan Kaur, wife of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh	324 (3.5%)
Michelle Obama, first lady of the USA	3719 (39.9%)
Kim Yoon-ok, First Lady of Korea	1121 (12.0%)
Sarah Brown, wife of the British Prime Minister	638 (6.8%)
Margarita Zavala, First Lady of Mexico	661 (7.1%)
Svetlana Medvedeva, wife of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev	529 (5.7%)
Emine Erdogan, wife of Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan	195 (2.1%)
Margarida Barroso, wife of Jose Manuel Barroso President of the European Commission	387 (4.1%)
Therese Rein, wife of Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd	309 (3.3%)
Dr Pimpen Vejjajiva, wife of Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva	486 (5.2%)

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama debuted her spring wardrobe this week at the G20 Summit in London, pairing classic styles with light, airy brights, without a bicep in sight -- yet.

TEAL-RRIFIC!
Michelle Obama is embracing the exuberance of spring, brightening up her wardrobe with edgier ensembles, like this asymmetrical, chocolate and turquoise argyle Junya Watanbe cardigan, worn over a teal full-skirted Jason Wu dress.

Joel Ryan, WPA Pool/Getty Images

FIRST LADY FLAIR
Michelle poses pretty on Downing Street in a J. Crew ivory beaded cardigan and mint green skirt.

Leon Neal, WPA POOL/Getty Images

FIT FOR A QUEEN
Michelle looked chic during her visit with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in a black-and-white Isabel Toledo dress, an Azzedine Alaia cardigan, and her pearls, of course!

John Stillwell, WPA Pool/Getty Images

OFF TO MEET THE QUEEN
Michelle channels Jackie-O in this satin Jason Wu coat with matching clutch and heels.

Stefan Rousseau, WPA Pool/Getty Images

CHEERY-O!
Michelle makes a bright English entrance in a chartreuse Jason Wu dress and Michael Kors black coat cinched at the waist with a Azzedine Alaia belt.

Pablo Martinez Monsivais, AP

JET-SETTER
First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama make a stylish exit as they head to London for the G20 Summit. Michelle is wearing a white tulle tweed Thakoon coat over a black Michael Kors black sheath paired with Jimmy Choo kitten heels.

Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Visiting families at the Iron Mike Dining Facility at Fort Bragg, N.C. First Lady Michelle Obama kept her clothing simple wearing a classic white button up and cardi combo. In what is quickly becoming her trademark style, Mrs O. mixed in one high end statement piece (in this case a studded Azzedine Alaia belt) to jazz up her outfit.

Gerry Broome, AP

The debate about the new First Lady's style choices continues with the release of her official White House portrait. Wearing a simple black dress and classic pearls would seem a safe bet except for the frock's lack of sleeves. Obama's reoccurring arm baring (think the cover of Vogue and the President's speech to Congress) has some calling her youthful and fashion forward while others find the look inappropriate for the office and the season. At StyleList we have to side with youthful and fashion forward. The dress is timeless and flatters one of Obama's best features. As for the First Lady's right to bare arms? It may surprise people to learn Jackie Kennedy wore a sleeveless dress to JFK's first State of the Union speech in 1963. Keep clicking to see Michelle Obama's other sleeveless style moments.

Joynce N. Boghosian, The White House/AP

Music legend Stevie Wonder wasn't the only one honored on February 26, 2009, at the White House - his wife, Kai Milla, received major fashion props from Michelle Obama, as the First Lady donned the fashion designer's emerald green silk-chiffon dress. Michelle channeled the 40's with the plunging V-neck dress and a glamorous black sash belt, punctuated by a voluminous bob - which her hair stylist undoubtedly achieved using old school hot rollers. We love how Michelle's really expanding her fashion and beauty reach as she's growing into her role as First Lady.

The First Lady made waves at President Obama's first Congressional Address on February 24, 2009, in a sleeveless plum silk dress by Narciso Rodriguez. The lack of arm-coverage raised some eyebrows in the fashion world, starting a debate on whether it's appropriate to wear a sleeveless dress to a formal speech. Our take? Washington, we have a problem - it's 2009 and you're acting like it's 1959. Women can wear what they want, when they want to - and we think Michelle looked both stunning and occasion appropriate.

Read All Comments

Style Around the Web

ImaxTree

Make Up Tips For Girls With Glasses - Refinery29
How Celebs Work Red Into Their Wardrobe - FabSugar
Celebrity Wardrobe Malfunctions - The Daily Beast
Deodorants that Actually Work - Daily Candy
Would You Wear Long-Sleeve Shirts As Skirts? - The Frisky
Tricks That Guarantee Gorgeous Hair - Daily Makeover
Celebs Have Us Seeing Stars - People Style Watch

READER COMMENTS

(300)Add A Comment

Amber, 4-06-2009, 12:26AM

Michelle Obama is just like the old 7-up commercial,,,,,,,,never had it.......never will!!!!!

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EVELYN HENDRICKSON, 4-05-2009, 6:10AM

MICHELLE OBAMA IS ONE GIANT COW!

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Angel, 4-05-2009, 9:31AM

And you are one giant idiot!!! And probly ugly too...

FGw, 4-05-2009, 10:07AM

Who could ever think Michelle Obama has a sense of style. Her clothes are horrible and I have not seen one of her outfits which I think are attractive. Have respect for the title and cover those arms!!!!

angel29, 4-05-2009, 10:50AM

You must be blind I guess you couldn't find anything negative to say so you came up with that statement. I you must be jealous of Ms. Obama. Could it be that you want to be like her.

Babs, 4-05-2009, 11:37AM

That's very rude. I think it means you have some dissatisfactions with your own appearance and feel you have to put others down to feel better about yourself. Putting down the First Lady must make you feel really really good. How sad!

Lullabell, 4-05-2009, 2:14PM

I agree. Mrs. Obama is awkward, needs to lose about 30 lbs. and in no way does she remind me of Jackie Kennedy. Those bare arms seem so out of place and undignified.

Kris Marshall, 4-05-2009, 6:19AM

What a pleasure to have such a dynamic, charismatic and attractive first lady. Her poise in speaking and depth of knowledge finishes off the aura surrounding her. Simply her presence is strengthening the US' position around the world.

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Ellie, 4-05-2009, 9:47AM

sorry but her outfits are just not what we expect of our First Lady. who is suggesting her outfits. terrible taste, not flattering. She could look so much better. She is no Jackie Kennedy. Why not take a look at Jackie's pictures and take a hint.

Stacy Brewer, 4-05-2009, 10:25AM

Michelle Obama's wardrobe needs a total make over. She MAY like the designer she is using but the clothes are not appropriate for her position. She needs to ditch the 50s skirts and crinolines....she looks like a little girl going to meet her friends at the mall in the 50's. Also NEEDS to carry some sort of bag/clutch....etc.... her wardrobe choices are embarrasing.

M, 4-05-2009, 6:30AM

What are you smokin' Kris? She is the worst we've had for a First Lady!

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Maria Mercer, 4-05-2009, 9:22AM

You are right ,very tacky those clothes belongs to someome bringing the kids to school or going to lunch .TACKY TACKY TACKY ....out of respect she should use a beautiful gown,like Jackie Kennedy or Nancy Reagan ,we call that RESPECT.Not class at all we lost it .

Joe Bennett, 4-05-2009, 11:20AM

Grow up

Scott, 4-05-2009, 11:49AM

M: I think that you are jealous, envious and have a hard time accepting a african-american first lady to represent the US. Michell Obama has an elegant style for dressing and she is unique within her own right. She is also smart, beautiful, elegant, charismatic, and has a sense of humility when engaging with young, old, black white, and red if you know what I mean. You should ease up with your critical remarks and start paying attention to the wonderful qualities she brings to her position.

Kookie, 4-05-2009, 6:39AM

Black and blue and white outfit looks like a clown outfit.
Red dress is so skin tight. Michelle does not have a good shape,and the red dress shows what an odd shape she has.
Sweater and skirt are too small and gaps and wrinkles.
Flowered dress is too busy for affairs. No class to her outfits. She needs to get someone who knows fashion instead of trying to dress herself of which she shows no fashion sense at all. And a sweater in the Palace? No No. Too much color for a Presidents wife.

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Diane, 4-05-2009, 10:49AM

The above comments were exactly right. She needs someone with fashion sense to steer her in a better direction. Her clothes are not appropriate for her body type OR the occasions.

Connie, 4-05-2009, 6:42AM

I Think Michelle Obama is one heck of a classy lady. She is a very bright lady and seems comfortable no matter where she is or who she is talking to. She is her own person and does not seem like someone that will change who or what she is or wants to be. She is very enjoyable to watch and listen too. She is quite an inspiration to all woman and kids. She could even be one of the most comfortable first lady we have ever had. She is really one heck of a lady. I hope that she can
let go of the black white issues she has. That is the only thing that is a little disappointing but never the less. She will inspire many woman and children. I know that many woman and children want to think she is everyones first lady and she will need to work on that if she cares to. She may just want
to be who and what she wants to be no matter what. That's OK too. The Africian American community has to be beamining with pride at her message to them and the tender, loving care and attention she will bring to them as the First Lady of The United States..I pray for the Obama's every night. We all should..

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marina kovalenko, 4-05-2009, 10:40AM

Your African American community is so proud...?! What about rest of us, just American? What about rest of the world? She makes us all uncomfortable by dressing and acting like she does. She forgets that she is not an African queen, she is first lady of USA. I agree with you only for once... Yea, ... she is really one heak of the lady...

mary, 4-05-2009, 6:46AM

Jackie Kennedy was a first lady of grace and had fashion sense as well. No one has topped her yet.

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GERRI, 4-05-2009, 8:49AM

I agree Mary. This outfit she has on looks like an ugly betty outfit. There is very little she has worn so far that I have liked. No fashion sense in my book. And I can't believe how much she pays for this junk. We laugh at her outfits at work all the time....

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