The Essentials: First ladies of fashion

Franklin D Roosevelt's better half Eleanor visited the UK in 1942. Here she is having a good old giggle with the girls of Britain's Air Transport Auxiliary. Even during hard times, when butter was scarce and the world was at war, nothing could keep the smile off of Ellie's face. Nor the dead animal from her neck
Photograph: David E. Scherman/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Jackie Kennedy arrives at Heathrow Airport in 1966 and immediately sets the template for first-lady-on-tour chic in a classic Gucci windowpane check coat Photograph: Rex Features/Rex Features

A picture really is worth a thousands words. Here we see the true meaning of the 'special relationship', as demonstrated by the openly flaunted love between Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher. While Nancy Reagan's power hair, gold jewellery and head-to-toe red say rigid Republican, Maggie has come as Elizabeth l. In many ways, Nancy didn't stand a chance Photograph: Diana Walker/Time & Life Pictures/Getty Image

Here's Bill and Hill with Tony and Cherie Blair at Chequers in 1998. The men have opted for mainstream, while Hillary Clinton has decided on a soft yellow power suit and Ray Ban shades. Why Cherie has come as a member of Shakespears Sister is unclear, but we heartily approve of her unconventional move towards the Goth end of the wardrobe spectrum Photograph: Joyce Naltchayan/AFP/Getty Images

"You know that Tony Blair," the Queen is saying, "he was here the other day with that Cherie woman. Can't say I'm a fan." George Bush remains tight lipped, but Laura is busy admiring Ma'am's fashion-forward splash of apple green Photograph: Tim Sloan/AFP/Getty Images

Barack and Michelle Obama touch down at Stansted Airport, with the first lady resplendent in purple. Not only is the designer behind her pencil skirt suit, Preen, one to watch for A/W 2011, Michelle showed real fashion nous by picking a British label for her arrival Photograph: Charles Dharapak/AP