Shine's most stylish woman of the year: Carla Bruni-Sarkozy

If you were to visit Shine's Fashion and Beauty section the first day it launched last March, you would've found alove letter I wrote to France's first lady, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. It went a little something like this:

"Seriously, maybe this is wrong because of the whole third-wife-younger-woman thing, but I don't care: I think you're awesome. I can't remember a cooler, prettier, or more badass first lady. I mean, you slept with Jagger. And Clapton. You read Yeats. You play the guitar. Nude pictures of you sell for a bazillion Euros (which is like double bazillion dollars). You recorded a Serge Gainsbourg tribute song that was actually well received. You speak three languages.The outfit you wore to meet the Queen this week? The one with the pillbox hat? The one that's making everyone compare you to Jackie O? Brilliant. I also like your hair, makeup and skin. Keep on keepin on, Madame Sarkozy. I'm psyched for your new life. I'm especially excited to see what you'll wear."

Lots of things have disappointed me this year—my 401K, Sarah Palin, the omnipresence of jumpsuits—but Ms. Bruni-Sarkozy came through, with one gorgeous outfit after another. I love her look because it's ladylike, unfussy, and classic and could (and should) be worn for 1,000 years. So, while my future style heart will go to Michelle Obama (I am a patriot, after all), 2008 belongs to the willowy Italian chanteuse who wasn't afraid to throw away her heels, lower her hem lengths, and still look amazingly glam.