Michelle More Stylish Than Carla: French Mag

The French edition of Elle magazine puts Michelle Obama at the top of the "political chic" category in its yearly best-dressed list—ahead of French first lady Carla Bruni, a former supermodel. Elle said it favored strong personalities and distinctive styles in this year's selection, and marveled that "Mrs Obama resembles no-one else. Her style is unique. She encourages young designers and has succeeded in imposing the waisted cardigan as official dress."

Bruni, by contrast, has adopted a demure style since her husband, Nicolas Sarkozy, took office last year, the Times of London reports. Michelle Obama's distinctive dress—greeted with disdain by Parisian fashionistas early on—seems to have won out. Bruni still got her props, though: "She has managed to invent a style of First Lady a la Francaise," Elle's judges said. "She always gets it right."