Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Shares Michelle Obama's Passion For Flats (SLIDESHOW)

When Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Michelle Obama met on Friday in France, they were a study in contrasts: the French first lady sported a gray Dior coat while Obama opted for a brightly colored Thakoon ensemble. But in their everyday lives, the stylish first ladies share one sartorial signature item: a preference for flat footwear.

Granted, both women already stand tall: Michelle Obama is 5'11" while Bruni-Sarkozy, a former model, is said to be 5'9". President Barack Obama stands 6'1" 1/2, but President Nicolas Sarkozy is a mere 5'5", which helps explain why his wife would wear flats.

Take a closer look at Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's favorite footwear below.

*See a slideshow of Michelle Obama's flat shoes here.*

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Read more about Carla Bruni-Sarkozy's style here.

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Comments

[yanquimike]

What was the baby blue and white ribbon that Carla was wearing all about?

[ReesieKitty]

For whatever reason these two tall First Ladies choose to wear flats on public occasions, I say Good For Them! It should be acceptable for women to wear a nice pair of flats if she wants to. Who decided that a woman at a public occasion has to wear high heels? This is not 1955 where Michelle and Carla are dancing around a kitchen whipping up a gourmet dinner for the menfolks while wearing high heels and frilly aprons! Anyone who wears heels knows that you just don't want to wear them all the time anyway.

[lmvd3]

Bruni's passion for flats comes from the fact that her husband is short.

[Marnieblue]

I don't think it's so much about the men being insecure but trying to play to the public. They have done studies where they show people photos of a taller woman next to a short man the response was "weak". The same man standing on an apple crate with another group would use words like "strong". These men are the most powerful in the world so they have to appear strong and if their woman tower over them subliminally people will think they are weak.

Marnie 5'9".

[lee4713]

I can't wear heels anymore, but I've got to have a (dress) shoe with at least a 1/2" heel and a good sole. They're not that hard to find - try a streamlined loafer - and they look very polished. Otherwise, flat flats don't allow for much support, and they look cheap for the most part. Why is it that the only choices are killer heels and flat flats? Surely an extra 1/2" isn't going to wreck marriages.

[Whatashame]

This woman slept with so many married men in Europe. I do not know why the media is comparing Michelle to her. Michelle is highly educated and can carry her own weight. All Carla does is dress up in high end fashion and pose.

[KillBillV2]

Michelle is 5'10, Pres. Obama is 6'2, therefore for all the people here saying that she would tower over him if she wore heels, that's just not true.

[naschkatze]

I love it for whatever reason she is wearing them. She didn't wear black for the pope, and she wore slacks for Queen Elizabeth! Go, Carla.

[Annemariefay]

Oh my god, in that last photo, Sarkosy is standing on tip-toe, and he's still shorter
than his wife! I think that Bruni would look better in many of those photos in shoes that had
some kind of heel, even a low comfortable one. It's just so obvious that she's not trying to
aggravate her husband's insecurities. A bit embarrassing. I'd respect him more if he encouraged
her to just wear footwear she likes. Those flats can't be for comfort reasons, because they have no
arch support, or plantar support. For a tall woman, some of those flats would be painful to walk and stand in, more so than heels.

[hilaritee]

call this the nicole kidman -tom cruise effect...s­he is taller than him. few men can handle that.....

[gwt301]

Since she is slightly taller than her husband, the French President, she wears flats. Otherwise, he'd have to wear lifts so as not to have her tower over him.

[NYCMami]

Gimme them gem sandals

[Dustee]

I love them too!

[naschkatze]

Gimme them feet to go with them.

[maribelle1963]

It is no mystery why Carla wears flats--she is a hair taller than her husband.

Ditto the Obamas--Michelle is just about 1-1/12 inches shorter than Barack--with heels, she soars over the top of him.

You don't marry the head of a country and tower over him--unfortunately. Maybe some day.

[Dustee]

The President knew she was tall when he married her. Believe me, he doesn't have a problem with her hight, she does. ( I'm a 5'10" woman...I know what I'm talking about).

President Obama is a very secure man. A lessor man would have a problem with it.

[maribelle1963]

I don't think he "has a problem" with it. And I don't know whether she "has a problem" with her own height as you imply -- neither do you.

These articles just imply that Carla and Michelle are chosing the same fashion again and again for anything other than the obvious reason that we women of taller stature deal with every day.

[naschkatze]

It just isn't done, huh? You've been over-ruled.

[KillBillV2]

If Michelle wears heels she doesn't soar over Obama. She's 5'10 he is 6'2 almost 63, that would mean she would have to be wearing 5 inch heels in order to soar over President Obama.

[Srkdqltr]

Tall Short or whatever..­.
Those women are smarter than most others.
The lower heels are so much more comfortable.
At meetings like they have had on this trip the low shoes are SMART.

[Highwind]

I love those brown boots!

[Jo Manning]

Sarkozy is a real shortie... The poor woman has to wear flats. Michelle Obama does not have to wear flats; her high heels are of modest height and look good on her.