US vs UK: who has the REAL First Lady of style?

So, is Michelle going to be the noughties answer to Jacqueline Kennedy (later remarried into the Onassis family, and becoming known as Jackie 'O' - ie the style staple Jackie 'O' sunglasses for the younger of those amongst us)? Will it be her who the White House next describe as bringing '...beauty, intelligence, and cultivated taste' to the role of the First Lady? She's certainly made a good start.

This makes me wonder, do our British counterparts need to step up a gear to be on a par? Known for our great sense of style, shouldn't it be us Brits who's 'First Lady' as such is the epitome of style?

We had the late Princess Diana (or 'People's Princess' & 'Queen of Hearts' as she liked to be known), who was undoubtedly a true example of great, polished British elegance and who was just as known for her interest and taste in fashion as for her great charity work.

And we tried to make Cherie Blair into a bit of a political style queen... but did she really manage to make her mark on us? Quite frankly no. Although well turned out, style icon she unfortunately was, and is not. Over in the states at the same time we had Hillary Clinton... not necessarily a style icon herself, but still, she managed to outshine Mrs Blair in the glamour stakes on most occasions... and it's hardly hurt her career has it.

Now, I know that just because you are married to the US President or the Prime Minister, it doesn't mean you must instantly become a style icon for the nation. But let's be honest here, whether we like it or not, all eyes will be cast on these fortunate ladies to set an example for the country and do their husband justice (now doesn't that sound a rather old fashioned point of view!). It also gives us perhaps a lighter antidote to the seriousness of the issues that surround the reason as to why they are in that position.

In other words, the 'poor' women will be scrutinised in the way they look, the way they dress, what they do, what they say... even how they hold themselves. All in relation to whether they are 'right' to be in such a position as to be related to the decision maker for the whole nation.

Turning oneself into a style icon seems to be the perfect answer - if you can gain a few admirers from that point of view, you've got the bitches sorted already (before you complain; I have a fashion background - fashion is bitchy. There's no question about it, but we all still love it) - that's one weight off your shoulders!

So Mrs Brown, time for your consultation?