London, Nov 28 : Style bible Elle magazine has awarded first place in the category of “political chic” to Michelle Obama, and second to Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

The magazine’s annual best-dressed list, which proclaimed that America’s First Lady is more chic than France’s Première Dame, was unveiled yesterday.

It is the second year in a row that Bruni, 42, has come second on the list; last year Elle put her behind Asma Assad, the British-born wife of the Syrian President.

The Elle style jury was led by Nathalie Rykiel, of the Sonia Rykiel house, reports The Times.

Elle said: “Mrs Obama resembles no one else — her style is unique. She encourages young designers and has succeeded in imposing the waisted cardigan as official dress.”

Rama Yade, 33, Nicolas Sarkozy’s Senegalese-born junior Sports Minister, came third, with Princess Letizia of Spain fourth and Ségolène Royal, the Socialist party maverick, in fifth place.

The winners in Elle''s other seven categories were:

Stylista: Tilda Swinton

Total-noir: Valerie Lemercier (French actress-comedian)

British Girl: Alexa Chung

Sexy bombe: Scarlett Johansson

Fashion pointue: Natalia Vodianova

Red Carpet: Penelope Cruz

It Girl: Elettra Wiedermann (ANI)