From Jackie Kennedy to Melania Trump, the First Lady of the United States has always been the pinnacle of fashion diplomacy.
Poised with high-end designers at her beck and call, it is no wonder Mrs Trump – a former model – has taken the catwalk crown for the most influential First Lady in fashion.
The First Lady swapped out her mini dresses for more conservative styles
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Even before her husband first entered the White House, the ex-model received critical acclaim for her timeless style, elegance and sophistication at the finest parties in Manhattan.
Now, by the President’s side, the 55-year-old icon has swapped out her mini dresses in favour of pantsuits and maxi dresses.
At Mr Trump’s 2017 inauguration, she attracted plenty of attention from fawning fans over her powder-blue wrap coat dress, oozing grace and femininity.
Now, with a new administration, she has even started to incorporate more menswear into her wardrobe, donning tuxedos and suits as she strides around the US Capitol, pushing the “power-dressing” to a whole new level.
In March, while lobbying for a new online safety bill, Mrs Trump selected a camel-coloured Ralph Lauren suit, adorned with a black tie, pointed lapels, a collared shirt and vest – leaving the media obsessed over her sartorial choices.
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However, the First Lady is not the only woman who wears the trousers on the world stage. Emmanuel Macron’s wife, Brigitte, the runner-up in the study, has received the most attention for her style.
In fact, fashion fanatics have searched for her outfits around 1.5million times each month with the former teacher’s style undergoing a total transformation since the French President started out in politics.
First attending state dinners with a little black dress and colourful heels, the French first lady has become more subdued in her look, wearing matching skirt suits paired with a business-style jacket.
Now Mrs Macron has started to reach for more monochrome outfits with various shades of blue being the clear winner in her eyes.
Mrs Macron has opted for more monochrome looks as of late
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Lady Starmer seems to have a penchant for polka dots
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife Olena has been particularly influential as a fashion figure too, beating Britain’s own Lady Starmer to fourth place in the ranking.
Victoria Starmer, meanwhile, has 90,000 searches for her outfits online each month, while magazines rush to write about her 1,200 times already in just the first year of her husband’s premiership.
Known for her penchant for polka dots, Lady Starmer has worn looks attempting to capture grace and elegance on the world stage – without appearing out-of-touch with her husband’s voters.
The clothing brand Kaiia added: “Political spouses have to balance personal style with public expectations in ways that regular fashion influencers never face.
“They can’t just wear what they like, as every outfit has to work for their role, their country’s image, and different cultural settings. This means that they are usually very good at finding clothes that work for both business and style.
“As a result, their polished looks in high-pressure moments, from Jackie Kennedy’s signature suits to Carla Bruni’s sleek silhouettes, have influenced what is now considered appropriate in professional wear.”