Yesterday, we reported on Oscar de la Renta’s anger over Michelle Obama’s fashion choices, particularly her clothing for the Obama’s European tour last week. De la Renta wants Mrs. Obama to focus on more established fashion houses for her wardrobe, and he even had some snotty things to say about the outfit she wore to meet the Queen.

Even though established fashion designers like Oscar, Vera Wang and Donna Karan might take issue with Michelle’s style choices, fashion critics are applauding her all around the world. Dylan Jones, the editor of GQ UK and a prominent “style commentator” thinks that Michelle’s choices are pitch-perfect. He wrote a piece in next week’s Hello! Magazine describing in detail the various outfits Michelle wore last week, and why she was “undoubtedly the best dressed spouse of the week”. Unfortunately, Dylan Jones stops talking about Michelle’s outfits once she was out of England. I’d really like to know what designer made that stunning black suit she wore when she and the president touched down in Prague.

First Lady Michelle Obama got off to a flying start in the fashion stakes as she touched down at Stansted Airport on Tuesday night in a gorgeous bright yellow dress by Jason Wu, accessorized by her favorite Azzedine Alaia bondage belt – her husband Barack doesn’t understand her fondness for this striking accessory, calling it “the Star Trek belt”.

The presidential party had left Andrews Air Force Base earlier in the day with Michelle wearing a white spring coat by Thankoon Panichgal and a shift dress by Michael Kors, the style of which was echoed in the beaded cardigan she wore for an official portrait with Gordon and Sarah Brown outside of 10 Downing the following morning. The sparkling top from US High Street brand J.Crew was paired with a jacquard mint-green pencil skirt and snakeskin-effect court shoes, making the very picture of (considered) elegance.

Michelle had yet another look for her meeting with the Queen – Jason Wu again, a black coat over an Isabel Toledo dress, Azzedine Alaia cardigan and Chanel-style pearls – but at no time did she look anything other than demure.

[When Michelle visited] The Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Language College in North London…[she wore] a vivid, sequin-trimmed Argyll top by Junya Wantanabe for Comme des Garcons.

Some fashion commentators voiced concerns that some of Michelle’s outfits had been too informal. But she pitched it perfectly.

Carla Bruni…is less of a class act and more of a celebrity always on the lookout for a photo-op.

[From Hello! Magazine, print edition April 14, 2009]

He just had to get a little dig in at Carla Bruni. I actually love the way Carla dresses – she does the refined, formal looks really well, but she has a bohemian streak that is very appealing to my tastes. When Carla and Michelle went to a historical church in Paris over the weekend, Carla was wearing one of the most fabulous coats I’ve ever seen – it was a vivid, beautiful violet, in what I suspect was a substantive wool gabardine or crepe.

As far as Michelle being the best dressed political wife – well, yes, she was. Part of it was probably that she’s a new, fresh face on the international scene. Another advantage is that she’s got a great figure, and when she stands up straight, clothes look great on her. And the last part – Michelle just has wonderful style, and you can tell that she enjoys clothes and getting dressed up. And that kind of joy translates in any country.