Even Kate Middleton Could Take a Few Style Tips From China's First Lady

By Sarah Wasilak

Updated on 1/15/2018 at 10:30 AM

Getty | WPA Pool

You've probably seen China's first lady, Peng Liyuan, before. Standing alongside Kate Middleton, Michelle Obama, and now Melania Trump at state affairs, 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 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. Read on for 50 solid reasons.

01

Peng Liyuan Plays up the Color of Her Separates With Accessories — Getty

Peng Liyuan Plays up the Color of Her Separates With Accessories

Like this turquoise chiffon scarf!

02

She Knows How to Pull Off a Busy Print — Getty

She Knows How to Pull Off a Busy Print

03

And Coordinates With Her Husband, President Xi Jinping, on the Regular — Getty

And Coordinates With Her Husband, President Xi Jinping, on the Regular

04

She Looks Absolutely Lovely in Periwinkle — Getty

She Looks Absolutely Lovely in Periwinkle

05

But Pulling Off a Chartreuse Coatigan Is Just as Easy — Getty

But Pulling Off a Chartreuse Coatigan Is Just as Easy

06

Ms. Liyuan Had a Handle on Peplum in 2013 — Getty

Ms. Liyuan Had a Handle on Peplum in 2013

07

And She Totes the Most Functional Bags When She's on the Go — Getty

And She Totes the Most Functional Bags When She's on the Go

08

She's Got a Laid-Back, Casual Look Too — Getty

She's Got a Laid-Back, Casual Look Too

It involves sundresses and peep-toes.

09

She Knows a Touch of Brown and a Smartly Knotted Belt Will Ground a Flouncy Peach Skirt — Getty

She Knows a Touch of Brown and a Smartly Knotted Belt Will Ground a Flouncy Peach Skirt

10

She Pulls Together Her Luxe Ensembles With Brooches — Getty

She Pulls Together Her Luxe Ensembles With Brooches

11

She Knows How to Break Up Her Over-the-Top Statement Coats — Getty

She Knows How to Break Up Her Over-the-Top Statement Coats

With white accents.

12

The First Lady Got Her Hands on a Floral Jacquard Suit — Getty

The First Lady Got Her Hands on a Floral Jacquard Suit

We want one too.

13

She Showed Off the Most Sophisticated Take on the Bomber Jacket We've Ever Seen — Getty

She Showed Off the Most Sophisticated Take on the Bomber Jacket We've Ever Seen

14

She Looks Elegant in Classic Chinese Styles, Like the Cheongsam — Getty

She Looks Elegant in Classic Chinese Styles, Like the Cheongsam

15

Peng Liyuan Belts Her Scarves — Getty

Peng Liyuan Belts Her Scarves

16

She Polishes Off Her Blouses With Eye-Catching Jewels — Getty

She Polishes Off Her Blouses With Eye-Catching Jewels

17

And She Always Considers the Color Scheme of the Evening — Getty

And She Always Considers the Color Scheme of the Evening

18

There Was That Time She Flashed a Metallic Pencil Skirt — Getty

There Was That Time She Flashed a Metallic Pencil Skirt

19

She Accents Her Embroidery With a Clutch — Getty

She Accents Her Embroidery With a Clutch

20

Her Pieces Always Look Crisp and Clean — Getty

Her Pieces Always Look Crisp and Clean

From her scarf to her milky-white satchel. No, really, we're dying over that purse.

21

Peng Was Wearing Oxford Heels and Tights Way Before Taylor Swift — Getty

Peng Was Wearing Oxford Heels and Tights Way Before Taylor Swift

22

She Balances Her Grays With Touches of Teal — Getty

She Balances Her Grays With Touches of Teal

23

A Polka-Dotted Skinny Scarf? You Bet She Can Work It — Getty

A Polka-Dotted Skinny Scarf? You Bet She Can Work It

24

At the End of the Day, the First Lady Knows the Power of an All-Black Look — Getty

At the End of the Day, the First Lady Knows the Power of an All-Black Look

25

But She's Got Unexpected Tones in Her Closet, Too — Getty

But She's Got Unexpected Tones in Her Closet, Too

We're so feeling this olive shade.

26

A Buttoned Blazer and Dress Is Never Enough — Getty

A Buttoned Blazer and Dress Is Never Enough

Not when there's a perfectly elegant scarf to go with it!

27

Ms. Liyuan's Eveningwear Always Makes Her Glow — Getty

Ms. Liyuan's Eveningwear Always Makes Her Glow

28

And This Is Her Polished Take on the Denim Jacket — Getty

And This Is Her Polished Take on the Denim Jacket

29

In a Sea of Dark Looks, Peng Is the Confident Style Stunner — Getty

In a Sea of Dark Looks, Peng Is the Confident Style Stunner

30

She Works Asymmetrical Cuts With Slitted Maxis — Getty

She Works Asymmetrical Cuts With Slitted Maxis

31

And Bedazzled Coats With Contrast Collars — Getty

And Bedazzled Coats With Contrast Collars

32

Peng's Summer Style Involves Her Light Separates and a Touch of Lime — Getty

Peng's Summer Style Involves Her Light Separates and a Touch of Lime

33

She Knows How to Play With Texture — Getty

She Knows How to Play With Texture

34

And How to Draw Eyes to Her Own Pretty Prints — Getty

And How to Draw Eyes to Her Own Pretty Prints

35

The First Lady Loves a Good Cape — Getty

The First Lady Loves a Good Cape

36

She Shows Us All the Best Way to Work Midnight Blue — Getty

She Shows Us All the Best Way to Work Midnight Blue

37

She Takes Style Risks by Mixing Unexpected Colors — Getty

She Takes Style Risks by Mixing Unexpected Colors

38

And Makes the Case For Investing in a Two-Toned Coat — Getty

And Makes the Case For Investing in a Two-Toned Coat

39

Peng Liyuan Knows the Regal Appeal of a Silk Robe — Getty

Peng Liyuan Knows the Regal Appeal of a Silk Robe

40

She Knows That Feminine Fabrics Are Best Balanced With Structured Tops — Getty

She Knows That Feminine Fabrics Are Best Balanced With Structured Tops

41

She Looked Extremely Sophisticated in Baby Pink Next to Michelle Obama — Getty

She Looked Extremely Sophisticated in Baby Pink Next to Michelle Obama

42

And Revealed the Most Gorgeous Billowy Blouse For a Walk — Getty

And Revealed the Most Gorgeous Billowy Blouse For a Walk

43

All Eyes Were on Peng's Teal Gown at the 2015 State Dinner — Getty

All Eyes Were on Peng's Teal Gown at the 2015 State Dinner

Though Michelle Obama's Vera Wang number was also up to par.

44

Even on the Plane, Peng Makes Style Statements — Getty

Even on the Plane, Peng Makes Style Statements

45

Her White Suit Is a Step Above the Rest With Its Subtle Bell Sleeves — Getty

Her White Suit Is a Step Above the Rest With Its Subtle Bell Sleeves

46

Peng Pulled an Olivia Palermo-Like Belt Trick When She Met the Queen of England — Getty

Peng Pulled an Olivia Palermo-Like Belt Trick When She Met the Queen of England

Oh, she went there.

47

Her Outfits Aren't Complete Without a Little Something Extra — Getty

Her Outfits Aren't Complete Without a Little Something Extra

We see your flower pin, Ms. Liyuan — and so does Kate Middleton!

48

She Knows a Solid Fancy Outfit Never Has Too Much Shimmer — Getty

She Knows a Solid Fancy Outfit Never Has Too Much Shimmer

49

And That Fringe Helps You Pull Off an Effortless Street Style Look — Getty

And That Fringe Helps You Pull Off an Effortless Street Style Look

50

The First Lady's Style Is Flawless — Especially When It's Tied Up With a Bow — Getty

The First Lady's Style Is Flawless — Especially When It's Tied Up With a Bow