The politics of fashion

Posted by Jonathan Lomax at Thu, 31/07/2008 - 7:02am in

There has been a bit of ribbing in the Mandate offices recently of those of us approaching the big 3-0. It's been made worse by the fact that some of us have discovered the wonders of the Boden catalogue - the last fashion refuge for the not-quite-young-anymore urban professional.

I was quite partial to a nice linen shirt, but now I've been stopped in my tracks and may never shop at Boden again. Why? Here's why:

"I think my wife bought them, I think they're quite nice. They're Boden, that catalogue company. She said you need some shorts and she takes the major decisions, of course. They're all right aren't they? What, a bit flowery? I've had them for years."

Yes, David Cameron speaking to Radio 1 has confirmed my guilty little secret. I am starting to wear the clothes of a 41-year-old ex-Etonian. But hang on, it could be much much worse. Gordon Brown's attempt at 'relaxed' holiday wear last weekend left him looking even more out of touch with the country. Until the appearance of that grey jacket I assumed that Greenwoods had closed down.

On the one hand this could all be nonsense, frippery to fill empty summer newspapers. But is it? Yes, appearance in politics can be overemphasised but the Tories will have hoped that the pictures last weekend hinted at a deeper meaning. The 'relaxed' Cameron set against the 'uptight and uncomfortable' Gordon Brown. It won't swing the election but it's part of the mood music.

Now, I wonder where David Miliband buys his suits...

Tagged with: Politics, Fashion