WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama may be the one taking the oath to become leader of the free world, but millions of eyes will be on his wife, Michelle.

Specifically, all eyes will be zeroing in on what's she's wearing at the swearing in ceremony and inaugural balls Tuesday night. The first lady-to-be has the capacity to be a major trendsetter.

Stay with CBNNews.com throughout Tuesday, Jan. 20, for our special Inauguration Day coverage.

The Dress

It's just a dress right? Not if you're the first African American first lady and wife of a new President who ran a campaign based on "change."

"She's young, she's modern," noted the Art Institute of Chicago's Andrea Reynders. "I think she's very practical with the way that she dresses."

With her stylish, yet sensible and affordable approach to fashion, Michelle Obama has become the object of global fascination. There's even a Web site dedicated to following her fashion.

Another Jackie O?

With her cardigan sweaters, dresses and brooches, the question is - will she influence style the way Jackie Kennedy continues to today?

"She is going to bring a new American vision to the way people dress," Reynders said.

Washington based jewelry designer, Ann Hand, is already taking notes.

"According to what we've seen in the papers for past few months," Hand said, "she likes a lot of necklaces, and she likes brooches, so we're planning some things."

After the inaugural balls are over, her gown will become a prized museum piece, representing a new thread in American history, politics and style.