The most fashionable political wives of past and present
Fashion is all around us. We are constantly bombarded with images of celebrities, singers, reality television stars, artists, and models on the pages of our favorite magazines, blogs, and Instagram feeds. We remember their fashion choices—good and bad—and we judge them.
But today, more than ever, political wives are being critiqued, not only for their spouse’s political stance, but also for their fashion choices. Constantly in the public eye as they jet-set around the world, political spouses are expected to be intellectual, engaging, empathetic, strong, powerful, beautiful, and above all, able to gain the trust of their people, all while fighting for causes that are close to their hearts.
Not since Jackie O has fashion been so front and center in the political arena, but thanks to Michelle Obama, and many other international equivalents, the profile of many young and up-and-coming designers has proceeded to elevate. Here is a look at the world’s most fashion-savvy wives of political leaders worldwide, both past and present.
Jacqueline Kennedy
Jacqueline Kennedy was the epitome of chic and is still considered America’s most iconic first lady. Known for her impeccable fashion sense and cosmopolitan lifestyle, ‘Jackie’ captivated the American public both during and after her time in the White House. As one of the defining fashion trendsetters of the 1960s, women around the globe eagerly sought out the famous “Jackie look.” She was obsessed with pricey French couture and was criticized during the 1960 presidential campaign. Once she became First Lady, the Kennedy camp worried her taste for foreign clothing could make the family seem out of touch. To solve the problem she was paired with American-based designer Oleg Cassini. Cassini went on to design more than 300 of her most iconic outfits, and later dubbed himself the First Lady’s “Secretary of Style.”
In 1968 she married Aristotle Onassis and catapulted to fashion icon status worldwide, wearing her signature oversized sunglasses, Gucci bag, and printed headscarves.
Princess Diana
Diana, Princess of Wales, was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, the eldest child and heir apparent of Queen Elizabeth II. The royal was famously down-to-earth and brought a breath of fresh air to the House of Windsor. Diana married Prince Charles at St. Paul’s Cathedral in the summer of 1981. All eyes were on Diana—approximately 750 million viewers from around the world tuned in to watch the ceremony. Princess Diana was in the public eye for the whole of her adult life—everything from her fashion choices to her haircuts became an international fad.
‘Princess Di’ ascended to the pantheon of the best-dressed women in history and favored British-based fashion by Bruce Oldfield, Catherine Walker, and Elizabeth Emanuel, who designed her famous wedding dress. She will always be remembered not only as a fashion icon, but as a great humanitarian, raising awareness for AIDS and poverty in Africa.
Grace Kelly
Grace Patricia Kelly was a successful and beloved American actress who became Princess of Monaco after marrying Prince Rainier III in April 1956. Their fairytale wedding in Monaco was watched by over 30 million viewers on live television. Grace’s wedding gown, which took six weeks and three dozen seamstresses to complete, was created by MGM’s Academy Award–winning designer Helen Rose.
While pregnant with her daughter Caroline in 1956, Grace was frequently photographed clutching a leather handbag manufactured by Hermès. The now famous ‘Kelly Bag’ was often used by Grace as a shield to hide her baby bump from the paparazzi. Kelly was inaugurated into the International Best Dressed List Hall of Fame in 1960, giving her fashion icon status.
After her death, Kelly’s legacy as a fashion icon has lived on. Modern designers, such as Tommy Hilfiger and Zac Posen, have cited her as a fashion inspiration. She was known for introducing the “fresh faced” look, one that involved bright skin and natural beauty with little makeup. She is remembered for her “college-girl” everyday fashion, defined by her pulled-together yet simple look.
Michelle Obama
Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is highly educated, incredibly smart, and by many accounts, as warm and gracious as she appears. Michelle Obama is an American lawyer and writer who was First Lady of the United States from 2009 to 2017. She is married to the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and was the first African-American First Lady. Michelle works tirelessly for her causes, advocating for kid’s health and inspiring young women.
Obama has been compared to Jacqueline Kennedy due to her sense of style and has quickly become a fashion icon and champion of young American-based designers. Her style has been described as “fashion populist.” She had the bravado to mix high-end designer clothes with less expensive pieces from J.Crew and Target. She became a fashion trendsetter, in particular favoring sleeveless dresses, including her first-term official portrait in a dress by Michael Kors, and her ball gowns designed by Jason Wu for both inaugurals.
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy
The former supermodel and singer-songwriter caught the world’s attention as the wife of the President of France, Nicolas Sarkozy, and has been compared to Jackie O. She held her role as First Lady of France from February 2008 to May 2012.
Carla Bruni-Sarkozy epitomizes French style, its timelessness, and its class. It may evolve over the decades but never strays too far from its hallmarks. As a supermodel, singer, and France’s former First Lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy’s perspective on fashion is one of a kind. She tailors her fashion choices by occasion, when attending state dinners or political functions it’s Dior suits with kitten heels, but on tour, she opts for jeans and boho blouses. She’s become a front row fixture during Paris Fashion Week, nailing it perfectly, relying on a fail-safe combination of skintight black trousers, stilettos, and elegant jackets from the designers whose collections she’s favored.
Kate Middleton
She’s a modern-day princess. Catherine Middleton is the young Duchess of Cambridge and wife of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. Kate Middleton emulates her mother-in-law’s style as well as her passion for charity work and love of her children.
Princess Kate has quickly become a fashion icon and has been placed on many “best dressed” lists. Her Alexander McQueen wedding gown catapulted her fashion status on the world stage. Princess Kate can effortlessly transition from wearing a glamourous gown to running around in skinny jeans and sharp blazers – she nails the casual look every time. While she wears many new designers, she has also worn dresses by Catherine Walker, who designed many of Princess Diana’s favorite evening gowns and day suits. She is also known for recycling her looks—making her a modest yet modern royal.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is a former television host with a passion for charity work, and is vocal about women’s issues. She married Justin Trudeau in Montreal in 2005—a decade before he became Canada’s Prime Minister. The young couple has quickly become a stylish set in the political arena.
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau is changing the world’s perception on Canadian fashion, making it her mission to expose the fashion talent in her country. And while she has yet to earn the status of international style icon like Kate Middleton, Canada’s “first lady” has raised awareness at home for the fashion industry.
She first started honing her fashion chops as a personal shopper at Holt Renfrew, and even helped design her own wedding gown. Today, she has made a point of wearing the designs of local brands, including Beaufille, Lucian Matis, and Smythe at every opportunity.
Melania Trump
All eyes are now on Melania Trump. For a designer, her model figure is the perfect canvas. She wore Ralph Lauren to her husband’s inauguration (a robin’s egg blue ensemble—a very definite nod to Jackie) but some designers including Tom Ford, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Christian Siriano, and Sophie Theallet have declared that they will not dress her. Many feel that dressing her could generate enough negative publicity to seriously harm their brand, as was the case for Lauren, when #BoycottRalphLauren trended across social media. Since the inauguration, Melania Trump has worn more foreign fashion brands for public appearances and events than American. During his inaugural address in January, President Donald Trump declared, “We will follow two simple rules: buy American and hire American.” Up for debate is if Melania is seeking revenge against the American design community or if she is caught up in a political cross-fire.
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