First lady diplomacy: 'soft power' at its finest

Carla Bruni: The most stylish first lady

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy are seen at the Elysee Palace after the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris in this July 14, 2008 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

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Hilary Clinton showed the world a "tough woman" image – career-oriented, strong, and hardworking. Carla Bruni, however, was not as politically active as Clinton.

In contrast, she focused on delivering messages through the style of her clothes. In 2008, when Bruni accompanied Nicholas Sarkozy on a trip to Britain, she wore a grey hat matched with a high-neck dress, black gloves and belt to meet the Queen. British fashion magazine Harpers & Queen called the attire "reserved and special," reminding the public of the well-respected Princess Diana.

Before their visit to the UK, the French media unanimously thought Bruni could not adjust to British etiquette and that she was "bound" to falter in front of the royal family.

However, she proved the media wrong and gave enough "face" to France, with her versatility of style and a sense of elegance. This also helped change the view the British media had of France.

The Daily Mail pointed out that Bruni chose a dress designed by British designers and intended to show affinity. Bruni may not be as "strong" as Clinton, but her stylish image also reflects the political wisdom of women, which (without a doubt) helped Sarkozy.