Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

First ladies of fashion: Michelle Obama vs Peng Liyuan!

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 21:23 IST

What happens when the First Lady of the US meets the Chinese First Lady? Fashionable sparks fly!

They're both well-known figures in their respective countries.

They're both about the same age and married to two of the most powerful men in the world.

And they're glamorous and fashionable.

So what do you get when you put Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan in the same country?

A fair bit of press about their 'fashion wars'!

And this when we barely ever saw them together through Michelle Obama's week-long visit to China!

So who's the most fashionable of them all?

We'll let you decide!


Here, the two pose for photographs at the Forbidden City in Beijing.

Clearly Peng Liyuan in her sharp, tailored outfit -- a belted jacket and skirt and a pair of high-heeled lace-up shoes and a bright red clutch -- cuts a formal and elegant figure.

Round one clearly went to the Chinese First Lady as Obama opted for a black asymmetric waistcoat and a pair of wide-legged trouser by Chinese-American fashion designer Phillip Lim.

First ladies of fashion: Michelle Obama vs Peng Liyuan!

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 21:23 IST
Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) and his wife Peng Liyuan seen outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Peng Liyuan is a popular singer who's performed regularly before millions.

Before her husband was picked to be the next president, Peng Liyuan, by some accounts was a far more popular figure in China.

She is also one of the few spouses of Chinese leaders to be seen in public, and not to mention, a stylish one.

Peng Liyuan is seen here in an earlier picture with her husband Xi Jinping.

First ladies of fashion: Michelle Obama vs Peng Liyuan!

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 21:23 IST
First Lady Michelle Obama takes up a skipping challenge as the audience cheers on.

For her part, the US first lady, Michelle Obama almost always makes for a stylish first lady.

She is known to encourage promising young designers including Indians such as Bibhu Mohapatra and Naeem Khan among others.

Here she is seen in a Beijing school in yet another outfit by Phillip Lim.

First ladies of fashion: Michelle Obama vs Peng Liyuan!

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 21:23 IST
US first lady Michelle Obama, her daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (L)  and her mother Marian Robinson (2ndL) share a light moment with Chinese President Xi Jinping (C) and his wife Peng Liyuan (2ndR) after a photograph session at the Diaoyutai State guest house in Beijing, China

However she definitely left the most stylish outfit of them all for President Xi Jinping.

For that meeting, Obama sported a lace, three-quarter-sleeve red dress.

The choice of colour was significant because it symbolises happiness and good fortune in China.

First ladies of fashion: Michelle Obama vs Peng Liyuan!

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 21:23 IST
U.S. first lady Michelle Obama shakes hand with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as Michelle Obama's daughters Malia (R) and Sasha (2ndR) and Peng Liyuan, wife of Xi Jinping (L) look on before they proceed to a meeting at the Diaoyutai State guest house in Beijing, China.

Obama stood tall as she gracefully walked the red carpet laid out for her and her family and scored a point against her Chinese counterpart who seemed tad out of sorts for being the only one in this picture in a traditional Chinese outfit, a part of which she recycled during her trip to the Netherlands later on.

First ladies of fashion: Michelle Obama vs Peng Liyuan!

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 21:23 IST
US first lady Michelle Obama and Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping share a light moment during the former's week-long visit to China

So who was the more fashionable of the two First Ladies?

Post your opinion on the discussion board below!