While the First Lady gig comes with a nice house and a home office for her husband, it can’t be easy being Michelle LeVaughn Robinson Obama. Her every move and outfit is incessantly debated online, on cable and around watercoolers nationwide. What woman on the planet is so intensely dissected and critiqued for her every fashion moment, whether she's just taking her kids to school, going out for lunch or, in this week’s case, jetting off to visit the Queen of England?

Even Hollywood celebrities have it easier than Michelle. She’s walking a virtual red carpet everyday, while they only have to shine during red carpet appearances at the Grammys, Oscars and Golden Globes. Of course, there are a few fawned over regularly by the fashion press, but they can wear things over and over in their “personal lives.” If Michelle wears the same pair of shoes twice, (as she did with her inauguration shoes) people are hawking. Not to mention, she can’t wear fur - something that is practically a requirement for most Chicago women. (Its not prohibited, but between the recession and the animal rights people, it won’t happen.) Evidently, she can’t ever appear taller than her husband (thus the shorter heels), is considered cheap if she wears affordable clothes and insensitive to suffering Americans if she wears expensive ones.

Fortunately, Michelle appears to be taking it all in stride, letting her personal style and fashion pragmatism rule the day. Here’s a look at the First Lady’s signature style.

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SIMPLICITY: Michelle is best when she’s unfussy and simple, like when she met Queen Elizabeth yesterday in a simple black skirt, white sleeveless top and cashmere cardigan. For the dinner with the first ladies of the G-20, the group of heads of major nations meeting in London this week, she simply removed the cardigan. Smart move, and one working women can truly appreciate.

LOW HEELS: On this overseas trip, Michelle traded the daytime flats she favors for a slightly higher kitten heel, much more appropriate with formal dresses. Flats have yet to make an appearance on this trip, though she likes to wear them at home. You can imagine what the blogosphere would be like if the 5’11 Michelle was wearing heels that made her taller than her husband; after all, he is the Leader of the free world. Of course, diminutive French President Nicholas Sarkozy is much shorter than his wife, former model Carla Bruni, but they’re French.

J.CREW: I’m sure the CEO of J.Crew is secretly crying tears of joy that Michelle has embraced the affordable line of classic sportswear most closely associated with the preppy set. The jeweled cardigan, skirt and shoes Michelle wore for a trip to Maggie’s Cancer Caring Center and 10 Downing Street was reportedly sold out soon after she was photographed in it. The classic but sizzled up look was perfect for a spring afternoon in London, as it’s often chilly there this time of year.

CARDIGANS: You Chi-town folks know that Chicago weather can change on you at any time, and that wind blowing off the waterfront can turn a mild day into a freezing cold one. That may explain Michelle’s predilection for cardigans. She’s been wearing them in all colors and style since before she got to the White House. Or maybe it’s just that sleeveless thing – she might just be warding off the chill that comes when you don’t like sleeves.

NO STOCKINGS: Some folks are up in arms about Michelle’s preference for going bare-legged, but those folks are probably 55 and up. For women 30 and under, the question is “What are stockings?”

CHARTREUSE: The color quickly becoming a signature one for Mrs. O is known as chartreuse, which is exactly 50 percent green and 50 percent yellow. Michelle’s Isabel Toledo inauguration suit was in this color family, as well as the Jason Wu dress she wore deplaning in London from Air Force One.

THE RIGHT TO BARE ARMS: There hasn’t been this much talk about a woman’s arms since Linda Hamilton starred in “The Terminator.” Michelle Obama’s got fabulously toned arms, and she likes to show them off. Some people have a problem with that. When did the First Lady’s job description include dressing like a nun? I don’t remember folks mad at Jackie O and she went sleeveless a lot of times, much like the current FLOTUS. What makes some people think a black woman’s arms are some sign of aggression? I mean, Michelle’s got nice arms, but she’s no Serena Williams - who’s making millions with her muscled arms. C’mon, people. The Constitution does say you have the right to bear arms, doesn’t it?

PEARLS: There is apparently an unwritten code that every First Lady must own at least one set of pearls. Remember, they were Barbara Bush’s trademark. Michelle O. loves her pearls as well, showing off a nice necklace when meeting the Queen and hanging in London. I guess pearls are the safe choice; it’s not like you can show up for these kind of events with an iced-out “Shelly O” name plate, right?

BRACELETS: Michelle may have borrowed a page out of the Halle Berry boho chic book with her collection of wood bracelets. A little ethnic flavor never hurt anyone, and Michelle manages to rock them beautifully with pearls. Look for this to become the next hottest fashion trend. Oh, wait - it is already!