You've probably seen China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, before. Standing alongside Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama [1], and now Melania Trump at state affairs [2], she's hard to miss. In fact, Peng Liyuan's wardrobe is essentially a rainbow — she's a bold power dresser with a coat in every color. Oh, and the tricks she can pull off with a skinny belt? Let's just say she's been working Olivia Palermo-level styling tricks [3] for quite some time.
While the 55-year-old politician (and contemporary folk singer!) doesn't routinely release details on her outfits, it's safe to say she's a woman with a smart sense of fashion, sticking to her sophisticated uniform of blazers, brooches, and dainty clutches — all of which she coordinates with gorgeous silk gowns.
Liyuan is one of Vanity Fair's best dressed, and she was also recognized as one of Porter magazine's 100 Incredible Women for spotlighting Chinese designers at perfectly appropriate events. With each appearance she makes, Peng Liyuan soars higher on our list of style icons [4]. Read on for 50 solid reasons.
Peng Liyuan Plays up the Color of Her Separates With Accessories
Like this turquoise chiffon scarf!
She Knows How to Pull Off a Busy Print
And Coordinates With Her Husband, President Xi Jinping, on the Regular
She Looks Absolutely Lovely in Periwinkle
But Pulling Off a Chartreuse Coatigan Is Just as Easy
Ms. Liyuan Had a Handle on Peplum in 2013
And She Totes the Most Functional Bags When She's on the Go
She's Got a Laid-Back, Casual Look Too
It involves sundresses and peep-toes.
She Knows a Touch of Brown and a Smartly Knotted Belt Will Ground a Flouncy Peach Skirt
She Pulls Together Her Luxe Ensembles With Brooches
She Knows How to Break Up Her Over-the-Top Statement Coats
With white accents.
The First Lady Got Her Hands on a Floral Jacquard Suit
We want one too.
She Showed Off the Most Sophisticated Take on the Bomber Jacket We've Ever Seen
She Looks Elegant in Classic Chinese Styles, Like the Cheongsam
Peng Liyuan Belts Her Scarves
She Polishes Off Her Blouses With Eye-Catching Jewels
And She Always Considers the Color Scheme of the Evening
There Was That Time She Flashed a Metallic Pencil Skirt
She Accents Her Embroidery With a Clutch
Her Pieces Always Look Crisp and Clean
From her scarf to her milky-white satchel. No, really, we're dying over that purse.
Peng Was Wearing Oxford Heels and Tights Way Before Taylor Swift
She Balances Her Grays With Touches of Teal
A Polka-Dotted Skinny Scarf? You Bet She Can Work It
At the End of the Day, the First Lady Knows the Power of an All-Black Look
But She's Got Unexpected Tones in Her Closet, Too
We're so feeling this olive shade.
A Buttoned Blazer and Dress Is Never Enough
Not when there's a perfectly elegant scarf to go with it!
Ms. Liyuan's Eveningwear Always Makes Her Glow
And This Is Her Polished Take on the Denim Jacket
In a Sea of Dark Looks, Peng Is the Confident Style Stunner
She Works Asymmetrical Cuts With Slitted Maxis
And Bedazzled Coats With Contrast Collars
Peng's Summer Style Involves Her Light Separates and a Touch of Lime
She Knows How to Play With Texture
And How to Draw Eyes to Her Own Pretty Prints
The First Lady Loves a Good Cape
She Shows Us All the Best Way to Work Midnight Blue
She Takes Style Risks by Mixing Unexpected Colors
And Makes the Case For Investing in a Two-Toned Coat
Peng Liyuan Knows the Regal Appeal of a Silk Robe
She Knows That Feminine Fabrics Are Best Balanced With Structured Tops
She Looked Extremely Sophisticated in Baby Pink Next to Michelle Obama
And Revealed the Most Gorgeous Billowy Blouse For a Walk
All Eyes Were on Peng's Teal Gown at the 2015 State Dinner
Though Michelle Obama's Vera Wang number [6] was also up to par.
Even on the Plane, Peng Makes Style Statements
Her White Suit Is a Step Above the Rest With Its Subtle Bell Sleeves
Peng Pulled an Olivia Palermo-Like Belt Trick When She Met the Queen of England
Oh, she went there.
Her Outfits Aren't Complete Without a Little Something Extra
We see your flower pin, Ms. Liyuan — and so does Kate Middleton!
She Knows a Solid Fancy Outfit Never Has Too Much Shimmer
And That Fringe Helps You Pull Off an Effortless Street Style Look
The First Lady's Style Is Flawless — Especially When It's Tied Up With a Bow
