CATWALKING TO VICTORY Royal

The question on everyone's lips as the French presidential election heats up goes something like: "Boy shorts or thong, Madame Royal?" Or so say admirers of the 53-year-old socialist Ségolène Royal, the woman who may be the next president of France.

Fashion choices have always been a lightning rod for women in politics. But this week, political observer Réjane Sénac-Slawinski told a British paper that Royal's powerful sex appeal and classy togs might just win her the election. "She gives the impression of being a wonder-woman—a strong politician, a good mother, but also the woman every man wants to marry."

With her bikinis, stilettos, tailored pastel suits from French label Paule Ka, and basics from Zara and Agnes B., Royal's wardrobe "screams of bourgeois France." But her sartorial style has critics reacting harshly against her Yummy Mummy image: ''If the Devil wears Prada then the She-Devil wears Paule Ka," goes their slogan.

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