3 Peas in a Pod

With everything else about them under such close scrutiny over the last few weeks, it seems appropriate to take a look at the ‘style’ of the three opponents as well.

In an election which was heavily criticised for its middle-of-the-road policies and lack of hard-line opinion, one could easily argue that the sartorial decisions of Cameron, Clegg and Miliband were a visible analogy. In short, all three leaders wore exactly the same suits: 2 buttons, 8cm notch lapels, slanted pockets, double vents and regular cut trousers – all in the same shade of blue: a light navy which is then darkened by television. The suit is then paired with a plain white shirt (regular collar) and a plain coloured, un-patterned tie.

Whilst we cannot overly criticise the choice of suit – a two button navy is our recommended wardrobe staple, it is the fact that none of the leaders have made any effort to be an individual that we find so depressing.

We also take issue with where they choose to shop. Clegg buys his suits off the peg from a designer – so spends a lot of money for a suit which for the same money could have been bespoke. Cameron’s suits usually fit him well, but then he does a pay a lot of money for them on Savile Row. Miliband, who at 5’9 is the shortest of the three, often falls victim to the off-the-peg ‘jacket too long, sleeves too long, trousers too long’ catastrophe. He did once buy a suit from Spencer Hart on Savile Row, but they went into liquidation in the same week he first wore it. Which is a little awkward.