Liz Jones’s verdict: It’s all gone a bit Britney

IT WAS the War of the Wives. And I’m afraid America won by an empty head.

At the Elysee Palace in Paris yesterday, as part of Donald Trump’s visit to France to commemorate the Armistice, the First Ladies went into battle.

Not of the bulge – dear me no. Neither has eaten carbs since 1985.

Melania Trump, 48, chose a black wool belted coat dress by Italian luxury label Bottega Veneta (£4,000 – but seriously, if you shop at Bottega you have no need to look at price tags), and sky- high black Louboutin snakeskin cutaway stilettos (£550). The effect is sober, respectful, and very chic indeed.

Brigitte Macron, 65, on the other hand, chose royal blue (off with her head?), decorated with random brass buttons, by Louis Vuitton (£1,590).

It’s the French label du jour, of course, designed by bad boy Nicolas Ghesquiere, but all I can say is thank the Lord Brigitte eschewed his current penchant for over-the knee boots and trainers, opting for matching court shoes.

But it’s still all a bit too Britney Spears in her ‘Toxic’ period. The skirt is way too short and boxy, meaning the outfit comes across as reminiscent of the Sixties, which is probably when she was in her prime.

I’m loving, too, Melania’s soft Audrey Hepburn beehive, so much more appropriate than Brigitte’s Heather Locklear homage…