Style Showdown - Michelle Obama vs Carla Bruni

by Laura Kenney (Subscribe to Laura Kenney's posts)
Posted Apr 3rd 2009 at 1:20PM

Readers, it's happened.

The moment presidential style watchers have been waiting for: Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy have met face to face for the first time as first ladies. Cue the Dramatic Chipmunk Music, and let the style showdown begin.

The two arrived in Stasbourg, France today for the NATO summit, both wearing knee-length jackets with bow-tied collars. Michelle continued her spring style trend of vibrant colors - with a pixelated floral silk jacquard coat over a matching dress, both custom Thakoon. Carla stayed true to her classic sensibilities in a Dior grey velvet and lambskin coat and "Babe" bag, worn over a complementary Dior shell dress. Both women opted for demure footwear (no surprises there) with Michelle in black kitten pumps and Carla in Dior flats.

Two very different first ladies. Two very different styles. Who wins the Style Showdown? You be the judge.

Who wins Round 1 of the Michelle vs. Carla Style Showdown?
Michelle Obama	2393 (53.0%)
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy	2124 (47.0%)

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.

SILK BEAUTY
Michelle lands in Germany wearing a Thakoon floral silk jacquard dress and black kitten heels.

Christof Stache, AP

FIRST LADIES OF FASHION
Michelle Obama and Carla Bruni-Sarkozy show off their common style connection in bow-collared coats (Michelle in Thakoon, Carla in Dior) at the NATO Summit Arrival Ceremony in France.

Charles Dharapak, AP

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

Style Evolution of Carla Bruni

Ooh la la! Political spouses in the US are expected to keep a low profile and support their significant other, ideally in a red suit (or blue, depending on the affiliation. But over in France, things are a bit different. Their First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, is a musician and a former supermodel who has been photographed wearing even less than this creation from Jean Paul Gaultier's 1997 Fringe Bikini collection.

Catwalking/Gettyimages

This week marks Bruni-Sarkozy's inaugural visit to the U.S. as First Lady of France. Since marrying French President Nicolas Sarkozy in February after a whirlwind romance, Madame Sarkozy has charmed diplomats, heads of state and even the notoriously critical French public.

Arnaldo Magnani, Getty Images

The First Lady and President Nicolas Sarkozy in New York on September 23, 2008. In town for the United Nations General Assembly, Sarkozy was given the "World Statesman Award."

ERIC FEFERBERG, AFP/Getty Images

Keeping up with Carla: Bruni-Sarkozy puts her hubby through his paces on the streets of NYC on September 22, 2008. Later she joined U.S. First Lady Laura Bush for lunch at a museum.

ERIC FEFERBERG/AFP/Getty Image

Madame Bruni-Sarkozy (in a purple Christian Dior suit) looks a bit shocked at a Bastille Day ceremony in July. Earlier that week, the singer/songwriter did the seemingly impossible and startled French sensibilities with her new album, on which she sings "You are my junk. More deadly than Afghan heroin. More dangerous than Colombian white (powder)," adding: "My guy, I roll him up and smoke him."

Francois G. Durand/WireImage

On the same album Bruni-Sarkozy sings that "I am a child/ Despite my 40 years/ Despite my 30 lovers/ A child," which must have been a great conversation starter when she and her husband welcomed Pope Benedict XVI and a contingent of priests from the Vatican in early September.

Francois G. Durand/WireImage

Earlier this summer, Bruni-Sarkozy played hostess to another religious leader. The Dalai Lama showed the retired super model the proper way to wear a Tibetan prayer shawl.

PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images

Entertaining famous and powerful men is nothing new for Bruni, who was at one time better known for her boyfriends than her career. Past conquests include musicians Eric Clapton (her date at this 1992 party thrown by Sting) and Mick Jagger.

Dave M. Bennett/Getty Images

The British papers went wild for Carla when she and her husband made a state visit to London in March. Columnists were torn: was she the new Jackie Kennedy or Diana, reborn? Fashion insiders were unanimous however, in heaping praise on the 40-year-old's wardrobe, which consisted of the best of the Paris couture houses.

Pool/Anwar Hussein Collection/WireImage

For her meeting with the Queen at the ceremonial welcome at Windsor, Bruni made the smart but safe fashion choice: Dior.

Peter Macdiarmid, Getty Images

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READER COMMENTS

(52)Add A Comment

Kristin, 4-03-2009, 2:25PM

Much love to our First Lady. For the most part I adore her style, but I have to say point to Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy. That grey Dior is divine!
http://bonbonrose9.blogspot.com/

Reply »

Monique, 4-03-2009, 3:16PM

Definitely Ms. Bruni Sarkozy is much more elegant than Ms. Obama. No wonder they are both wearing low heels or flat, they are both taller than their husbands. There is much to say for the simple elegance of the French designers. Ms. Obama's wide hips do not always look well in those sheath dresses, and please close the coats instead of "fly-away" front sides and above all keep those toned arms covered...who would meet the Queen with bare arms???a bit more decorum please.

LindaSassie, 4-03-2009, 4:11PM

You and the other naygaraters are so simple minded. Mrs. Obama adds uniqueness to the clothing she wears. She is truly elegant, and those hips, no other woman sports them like an African-American female. Don't hate because naygaraters' bottoms are like a pancake or twisted. If you stop for a moment to stop hatin' you might be able to see the beauty that radiates from Mrs. Obama. As to her being VILE as your fellow naygarater has proposed, what evidence is there that she is VILE. She only receives positive press. Don't hate.

KatLuvsshoes, 4-03-2009, 2:55PM

I absolutely adore Michelle O's style. As pretty as Carla Bruni is, she just can't compare to our first lady's radiance. I do have to say that Bruni's Dior flats are to die for. For anyone looking to dress like the first lady (but on a budget), check out Shop.com's awesome guide: http://www.shop.com/michelle+obama+fashion+for+less-e.shtml

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Kathryn Wilson, 4-03-2009, 4:14PM

Michelle O is sharp and looks good in all of her clothes. I like the colors and the bright aura she so projects. Her personality adds to the whole picture. Someone said a muzzle should be put on her..How dare she suggest that of our First Lady. I think she needs a muzzle to keep her thoughts to herself, nobody wants her negative input. This is a profound time and should be happy for change...But obviously she is STUCK. I will pray that God opens her eyes because I consider her lost.

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LindaSassie, 4-03-2009, 4:18PM

nry334 4-03-2009 @ 3:53PM, mel
mel 4-03-2009 @ 4:05PM, Monique 4-03-2009 @ 3:16PM: You-all need psych treatment and diversity training as well as art appreciation classes.

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HELENA, 4-04-2009, 1:09AM

MONIQUE:DEFINITELY I AGREE W/ YOU. CARLA BRUNI HAS CLASS... SHE IS THE WINNER.

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shirley, 4-03-2009, 6:24PM

Has anyone else noticed how bow-legged Michelle Obama is? Also, she needs to stand up straight. She looks sloppy most of the time because of her posture. She walks like a basketball player. She does look good in some things, but I'm voting for Carla.

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Ies, 4-03-2009, 5:45PM

Michelle has a real body that real women can relate to. I think her style fits her personalty. GO Michelle

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Danyelle, 4-03-2009, 6:05PM

If Carla is such a supermodel, they why didn't she bother to do her hair?

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Style King, 4-03-2009, 6:09PM

Lord have mercy,comparing Michelle to Carla Bruni is like comparing a Bus to a Lexus. Caela Bruni is attractive and Michelle should stick to black--she looks like a fool in those awful flour sack dresses!

People are out of work and Michelle parades a new "style" every hour. It is shameful to America!

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diversity09, 4-03-2009, 8:59PM

You are situational depressed,brighteen-up and open your mind to good things.Go Shelly!

Susan, 4-03-2009, 6:50PM

Michelle wins hands down. All you haters...You need to get over it already! Michelle has something you don't have--Class, Style, Charm, Intelligence and the President of the United States!

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diversity09, 4-03-2009, 8:59PM

Shelly's radiant,intelligent and blooming,haters get out of the box and enjoy her.We are proud of Michelle.

John Galt, 4-05-2009, 10:38AM

Susan it has nothing to do with "haters" but please look at the pictures in the context of "First Lady's" representing their respective countries at a gathering of world leaders.

I'm sure Ms Obama's attire would be all the rage at the club but on the world political stage, I don't think so. And meeting the Queen sleeveless... sorry but she is an embarassment to the country on this her first official overseas trip.

sabequemeamaxoxo, 4-04-2009, 1:29PM

Although I overall love our First Lady's fashion choices so far (especially her landing gear), I have to say this one goes to Mme. Bruni-Sarkozy. Not only do her clothes look better on her but her overall demeanor, in my opinion is more open and appealing. She looks as if she's filled with la joie de vivre whereas the First Lady looks stiff and while I might be imagining it to me her smile looks forced and perhaps even a tad bit condescending. But as I said overall her wardrobe has been decent.

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LindaSassie, 4-08-2009, 4:58PM

sabequemeamaxoxo 4-04-2009 @ 1:29PM: I would venture to guess that Mrs. Obama is probably cautious as she treads through new political territory. She has to be because you people are scrutinizing everything she does.....She is beautiful classy and she is in love with her husband. She has been very careful in the light she is presented before the media. She knows as we all do: the media creates you and the media destroys you..,.,.......

Mary Pagnotta, 4-03-2009, 7:23PM

Michelle Obama embarassed, humiliated and insulted every American when she dissed the Queen. I don't care what she wore...she didn't even bow, much less curtsy to the Queen. And her husband only semi-bowed his head. Didn't anyone tell them about protocal. One doesn't even touch the Queen unless she prompts it, and there was Michelle Obama running her hands up and down the Queen's back. Who in the hell does she think she is ????? She probably thought that the Queen should curtsy to her!!! After all, a curtsy is defined as a sign of respect! We sure know what the Obamas think of themselves don't we!!!

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indythinker, 4-03-2009, 7:41PM

Americans are not British subjects. We don't bow or curtsy to the Queen or any British monarch. Expand your knowledge. Fight ignorance. READ...real literature. You'll be amazed to find that the world isn't monochromatic and that tradition (like politics) is local.

Tori, 4-03-2009, 8:35PM

For you MS Mary Ignoranmis, if you really saw the greeting for yourself and not heard from the pumpkin seed next door to you then you would have seen that the Queen did initiate the gesture of placing her around Mrs. Michelle Obama first. How is it that a few people like your ignorant self missed that. Even the reporters on CNN, ESPN, I'm I am sure your local stations showed that portion and acknowledged who acted first. Unless of course the reporters in your town are as ignorant and as simple as you are by showing such stupidity and hatred toward all that you can't do anything about. I hope your entire town didn't develop from pumpkin seeds, cause you will be forever blind with a big head with no brain. Ask someone in the real world how the greeting transpired and then you you see just how ignorant you are. When you see it for yourself (the real greeting) make sure you record it on your DVR (oh sorry I just realized you don't have a brain therefore you are not capable of handling a complicated task of programming). Anyway, try very hard to increase your IQ level and don't go through your life seeing just what you want to because it is apparent that when you open your mouth and try to use that pumpkin seed brain your thoughts are distorted with lies. I would hate for you to be my mother sister aunt grandmother or a so called friend. You are one of those gals who would turn on the people that cared fo you. Get a life big head and be truthful to yourself.

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