First Lady Melania Trump defined elegance and, along with Chinese First Lady Madam Peng, put on a beautiful style show. Even the most naive among us must know that every movement, every piece of clothing and every gesture is carefully negotiated statecraft. Melania Trump and Peng Liyuan managed to both look beautiful in a classic and understated way without upstaging each other. The coordination between the diplomatic corps of both administrations does them both credit.

In the above photo, both women are entering the State Dinner. Both are wearing black. Both gowns have intricate floral designs. Madame Peng, a much shorter woman, is wearing platform stiletto heels and a bouffant hairdo. Mrs. Trump is wearing to-die-for kitten pink stilettos, no platform and her hair worn simply with no height. I might have gone for a low chignon, but that is a style choice.

Melania Trump’s shoes appear to be the pink Christian Louboutin stilettos she has worn in the past. Christian Louboutin shoes are known for their red soles. I have never owned a pair, but the 411 is that if you have to walk on concrete in them, the red wears off, just saying.

Now, for some truly bizarre reason, the media is trying to pit Melania Trump and Communications Director Hope Hicks as some sort of style rivals. Hope Hicks is a gorgeous woman, but the tuxedo has been done before. Check out this video, which also manages to throw shade at Ivanka Trump. Tired? Wow.

The Gucci gown that Melania Trump wore in China was most likely borrowed from the Gucci Fashion House, just as actress Margot Robbie borrowed it for the movie premier. Her shoes did nothing for the dress.

The pink faux fur cuffs appear lighter in color on Mrs. Trump and they may have been swapped out, which is not unusual. The lighter pink is less jarring to the eye or the brighter pink may have been damaged.

Melania Trump also wore a Chinese inspired gown, this time from Dolce & Gabbana, earlier in the day while visiting students.

To those who might say that it is cultural appropriation for Mrs. Trump to wear fashion inspired by her host country, I say, go eat paste. Paying homage to your host is not co-opting the host’s culture. It is flattering your host. To quote Charles Caleb Colton: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”

Men and women all over the United States of America could learn a great deal about being gracious and elegant from First Lady Melania Trump.