On the campaign trail... Theresa May's Week

A strong and stable week on the campaign trail saw Theresa May in all areas of the country. Here's her week in review!

On Monday, the PM was in Harrow, holding an event with candidates and speaking to the press. Here May wore a brown tweed woven jacket, black trousers, an oversized Bakelite chain necklace and the Charlize loafers from Russell & Bromley.

The PM also visited the National Aviation Academy in Norfolk.

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On Tuesday, Theresa May was in Yorkshire with candidates and meeting voters. She wore an exact repeat of the outfit she wore to Bridgend two weeks previously- click here for a recap of that event!

It was then back to London where May appeared on The One Show with her husband Philip. May wore her familiar DvF tweed jacket, black trousers and the Cocktail loafers from Russell & Bromley.

Catch up with the great interview below!

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On Wednesday, May welcomed the General Secretary of NATO to Downing Street. May wore the blackwatch Vivienne Westwood blazer, a white shirt, black trousers and the leopard Frame flats from Russell & Bromley. She accessorised with an oversized plastic chain necklace.

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Later in the day, May headed to Scunthorpe, campaigning and meeting local businesses.

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On Thursday, May hosted the Somalia conference at Lancaster House and was joined by Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. May wore a black suit, white cami and the oversized chunky silver chain necklace and bracelet from Amanda Wakeley. Her shoes were the Divine flats from Russell & Bromley. She also campaigned in Southampton.

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May also visited a mental health charity in Bermondsey and was interviewed on LBC.

On Friday, May launched her battle bus in North Tyneside. Wearing navy and the Cocktail loafers from Russell & Bromley, May accessorised with the crater necklace from Caroline Johnson.

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And on Saturday, Theresa May was in Northern Ireland. Here she wore a familiar campaigning outfit- jeans, white cami, grey blazer and leopard ankle boots.

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Theresa May A-Z: K is for Kitten Heels

Synonymous with her public image, Theresa May has an extensive collection of kitten heels. The first thing that many of us associate with the Prime Minister (and absolutely mentioned in every article about her,) kitten heels are a regular choice for May. You only have to trawl back through archive pictures to see what a fan she is- and how over time, her tastes in design have subtly changed.

Our favourite and most loved kitten heel has to be the leopard print pair she wore on her maiden speech as Prime Minister on the steps of Number 10. Purchased from LK Bennett, the heel has become synonymous with May’s chic sense of style, and in a recent school visit she named this pair as her absolute favourite. Great minds think alike!

May’s other kitten heels include flashes of leopard, and a patent red pair makes regular appearances alongside her red Amanda Wakeley suit and many of her navy workwear sets. Another chic number is the black kitten heels with detailed neon embroidery from the Issa x LK Bennett collaboration. This is another pair that is hard to source- I’m always on the lookout!

The Issa x LK Bennett kitten heel

Why might Theresa May love her kitten heels? Less painful than a higher shoe, a 2-3 inch heel is the perfect height for May, and they provide the right amount of lift and comfort for a politician who never stands still. Westminster’s hallowed halls (and floors) can prove deadly for tender tootsies – so much so that I used to carry a pair of flats with me when I worked in Parliament. Cobbles and heels are not a good mix!

In recent years, the kitten heel seemed to have been replaced by the higher platform shoe, creating a new trend for women to invest in. May’s love of the kitten heel shoes that she won’t abandon something that works well for her, and how she won’t get on board with the latest trend of the moment.

Her reasoning is sound, and many retailers have reported higher sales of lower shoes since she took office in July 2016.

Keep your eyes open for any new kitten heel deliveries over the coming months- Russell & Bromley has some fantastic new arrivals!

Come back tomorrow for the L is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: J is for Jaunty Hats

Theresa May makes a bold style statement with her love of jaunty headgear. May favours millinery from designer Liz Felix, whose boutique is based in Henley in Thames. The PM has been known to regularly pop into Felix’s boutique to select hats for official functions, and her husband also accompanies her on this most important style mission!

Theresa May has worn hats from Felix for several years. The first documented Felix hat was to a ceremony at Horse Guards Parade welcoming the Chinese Premier in 2015. The red piece has an upwards sweep, framing the PM’s face and a bow twist on the right hand side.

May also wore this stylish red piece to the Sovereign’s Day Parade at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in April 2017.

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Other hats from Liz Felix include a navy blue number complete with a sparkly sunburst pin for a Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey and a large sunhat style piece topped with an oversized orange flower.

A recent Felix creation for Theresa May was the hat she wore for the Remembrance Day commemorations in November 2016. As Felix said to the Henley Herald: “I made the hat with Theresa in mind, I had no idea whether she would return after becoming Prime Minister.  It was a felt hat with a sinamay brim, a slanted crown and a turn up on the left side.  On the side it had highly trimmed duck feathers with a triangle felt piece to give the hat clean lines.  I only put it on the model in the window on Friday and on Saturday morning when I was in the back workshop clearing up for a fascinator workshop I was running the afternoon I heard the shop bell ring and went out to discover that Theresa was in the shop looking at hats.  She tried the hat on and after asking her husband Philip his opinion, he said, “it looks fabulous, why try anything else on?” Hear, hear!

Come back tomorrow for the K is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: I is for Italian Fashion

Grande! Theresa May is no stranger to looking at Italy for a little style inspiration. One of her most striking pieces- the blue Balls necklace is by the Italian accessories brand Mirta Bijoux. This oversized design is one of Mirta Bijoux’s signature styles, and the PM regularly wears her necklace with a baby blue coat and navy shift dress. She also teamed it with her DvF jacket and jeans for her Conservative Party conference arrival.

The Mirta Bijoux necklace was Theresa May’s statement accessory for her first day as Prime Minister, and it also made a reappearance in the official Cabinet photograph. May last wore the necklace in February 2017 for a summit of EU leaders in Valetta, Malta.

Mirta Bijoux’s creations are dedicated to an audience who choose quality and innovation. As the brand itself says, ‘Our accessory is the wearer: her passions, her creativity and her joy.’ All these characteristics certainly ring true for Theresa May, and her Mirta Bijoux accessory is the ultimate style statement.

Come back tomorrow for the J is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: H is for Hermes

Like many female politicians and members of royal families, Theresa May is a devotee of the classically elegant Hermes scarf. I’m still learning about the Hermes scarf repertoire, and I have no better subject to study than our Prime Minister.

Theresa May has an impressive range of Hermes silk scarves. Favouring the 90x90 size, May has accessorized with this timeless piece for many years. Regularly teaming the scarves with one of her super sharp suits, May opts for bold, multi-colour designs to shake up her workwear.

Helen, a fabulous Political Style reader, has helped me identify some of Theresa May’s Hermes scarves- there are so many amazing designs to feature!

One of May’s oldest designs is the Charmes des Plages Normandes. A playful take on the beach, this orange hued scarf works particularly well in the summer. May has been snapped wearing hers with an oatmeal coloured suit.

Reves d’Escargot is another timeless design, with playful swirled snail shells in a beautiful green, yellow and orange colour pattern. May wore this on a This Morning appearance and often teams it with a dark trouser suit as seen below.

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Coup de Fouet is a bold equestrian based pattern that has made several appearances this year, the most recent to an EU Council meeting in Brussels. May teamed the scarf with a grey Escada blazer and navy dress.

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Quite possibly my favourite of the lot, Les Legendes de l’Arbre Coloriage is a gorgeous mix of purples, blues and deep reds. May was snapped wearing this scarf at a Remembrance Day reception at Downing Street. Paired with a grey blazer, white cami and navy skirt, the scarf was undoubtedly the star of the show.

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Fantasies Indiennes is a lighter design, featuring elephants and an exotic tree. May has worn this on several occasions, most recently on her visit to Cardiff and Dublin in February 2017. May colour clashed on this occasion, wearing it with her midnight and neon lime Amanda Wakeley coat.

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The Vue du Carosse La Galere La Reale is the boldest design out of May’s collection, and May wore this primary coloured scarf to welcome the Polish Prime Minister to Downing Street in November 2016. May wore this in a different way to her other 90x90 scarves, maxing out its width, draping it over her shoulders with a firm knot.

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And Helen’s favourite, the L’Ivresse d’Infini is firmly attached to May’s red Amanda Wakeley suit. The detailed pattern is enhanced by the red, white and blue hues, and is the perfect accompaniment for May’s fierce, lucky outfit.

c/o Matthew Horwood

We’re still on the hunt for the scarf worn by May to welcome Donald Tusk to Downing Street in April 2017. If you have any ideas then send me an email!

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Come back tomorrow for the I is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: G is for Glitter

Adding some sparkle to proceedings, Theresa May regularly accessorizes with a glittery piece… or two! Taking her from London to Rome, May’s uber sparkly Lo-Fi flats from Russell & Bromley are her most glittery pair of shoes. Whether wearing them to a gallery opening with black trousers, or upping the ante of a navy blue shift and coat, May knows that glitter is often the most effective accessory.

The Lo-Fi flat

Theresa May’s use of glitter doesn’t just stop at her feet. A well-loved silver lame clutch from Anya Hindmarch made a reappearance at the Guildhall in November 2016 and then had another outing at The Sun Military Awards. This piece is hard to pick up due to its age- keep an eye out on eBay!

A recent glittery addition to May’s wardrobe is Swarovski’s Gray Crystaldust Double Curve bangle. Part of a gift package from Nadja Swarovski, the PM purchased this item and wore it to her Brexit speech at Lancaster House in January. May also wore three similar Swarovski Crystaldust bangles to announce the snap General Election. At well under £100 each, these are pieces of Theresa May sparkle you can have in your own wardrobe!

The grey Crystaldust Swarovski bangle

Come back tomorrow for the H is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: F is for Fluidity

The main source of Theresa May’s awesome wardrobe can be found in the quintessential English town of Henley on Thames. The Fluidity boutique stocks many of the Prime Minister’s brands such as Amanda Wakeley, Etro and MaxMara, and May has been a customer of Fluidity for many years. Just down the road from her home in Sonning, May shops at Fluidity under the radar- although she has been snapped a few times with a number of shopping bags!

Founded in 1997, Fluidity stocks designer collections that are fashionable, stylish and wearable. The collection is hand edited, offering the customer a truly independent and unique selection of top quality items.

May’s MaxMara soft pink cotton tweed coat was likely purchased at Fluidity, as were some of the Pazuki scarf collection.

Fludiity has new stock in on a regular basis. Some of our favourite new arrivals include…

The Melinda dress, DvF

Clematis scarf, Pazuki

Midi Dress, Vivienne Westwood

They’re all very Theresa May-esque!

Come back tomorrow for the G is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Bye 2015 Parliament, hello GE2017: Theresa May's Week

A week of goodbyes and new challenges, this week formally marked the end of the 2015 Parliament.

On Monday, Theresa May was in Lancashire, meeting with supporters and canvassing and wearing a familiar campaign outfit of jeans, white shirt, blazer and leopard boots.

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On Tuesday, the PM was in the South West of England, meeting voters and party activists. For her sunny trip to the south, May wore navy trousers, a white tee, grey and navy blazer and the navy Cocktail loafers from Russell & Bromley.

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On Wednesday, the PM was back in London. She visited the Queen ahead of the official dissolution of the 2015 Parliament and made a statement outside Number 10 Downing Street. Back to business attire, May wore a navy Amanda Wakeley dress, the DvF tweed jacket and the Vivacious block heels from Russell & Bromley. She accessorised with the crystaldust Swarovski bangles.

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Thursday was local election day, and Theresa May was on the campaign trail in East Sussex. A jacket and trouser combo complete with leopard flats was the PM's leafleting outfit of choice. In the evening, the PM was at CCHQ helping out with phone canvassing.

On Friday, Theresa May campaigned with Conservative Parliamentary candidate Mary Macleod in Brent. Here she wore a black trouser suit, the Charlize Russell & Bromley loafers and accessorised with an oversized chain necklace and an eye-catching Vue du Carosse La Galere La Reale Hermes scarf.

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Heading back to her Maidenhead constituency in the evening, the PM continued canvassing with local activists, switching her Hermes for a Pazuki number and putting back on her leopard boots!

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And earlier today, the PM travelled to Wolverhampton to meet with newly elected West Midlands Mayor Andy Street. The pair visited the UTC Aerospace Systems factory. Theresa May wore a navy blazer and trousers, accessorising with a Caroline Thomson Crater necklace and the Delicious leopard flats from Russell & Bromley.

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Theresa May A-Z: E is for Escada

Terrific tailoring can be found at Escada and it is easy to see why Theresa May favours this German brand. The Prime Minister has many items from Escada; with an asymmetrical purple jersey dress one of her most worn pieces. May wore this dress at an impromptu speech outside the Palace of Westminster, confirming her place as Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party. She’s worn it frequently since taking office- at the Conservative Party Conference for her first keynote speech as Leader, at a Cabinet away day and to meet officials in Downing Street.

Theresa May also turns to Escada for several of her navy suits. The suit worn in her official photograph is by the German brand, and it regularly makes appearances at the despatch box and to welcome guests to Number 10. The tailoring is sharp and chic- just like our Prime Minister.

May also debuted a new Escada dress and jacket this spring. The Dsill dress and matching jacket was worn by May to welcome the Italian Prime Minister to Number 10 in February 2017. The grey cotton-silk crepe tailored dress and jacket has a chic tulle-trimmed neckline and capped sleeves, making it the perfect pairing for our details-focused PM.

Come back tomorrow for the F is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: D is for DvF

Adding a bit of glamour to the dispatch box, Theresa May headed across the pond for an eye-catching tweed jacket from DvF. Fringed sleeves, sparkly thread and an exceptional cut, this boxy jacket is an alternative and affordable take on the Chanel style tweed which many fashionistas aspire to own.

Wearing it to the weekly Prime Minister’s Questions session, one MP said to me that she could see it sparkling across the Commons Chamber, and immediately went online to see where she could buy one for herself.

May often wears this DvF jacket with one of her daring back zip detail navy shift dresses, accessorizing with a string of oversized pearls and the Vivacious block heels from Russell & Bromley. She also wore this outfit to welcome the President of Columbia on his State Visit to the UK in 2016. It’s one of her favourite jackets- and one of ours.

Whilst this particular jacket is no longer available, DvF has a variety of other ladylike jackets. Perfect for the PM and also for you, here is another of our favourites…

Sadira reversible jacket 

Come back tomorrow for the E is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: C is for Chains

Theresa May knows an oversized chain makes a chic statement.

May’s most famous chain is the chunky silver necklace and matching bracelet from Amanda Wakeley. Unsurprisingly, this duo quickly sold out after May debuted it in 2016, and there’s been a waiting list for these pieces ever since. I managed to get mine last month, and it was worth the wait! They are real statement pieces, and look great with either a casual outfit or a more formal look. May also owns the Redford Black Leather Shoulder bag by Wakeley, a ladylike handbag with a chunky rose gold chain handle. It’s never far from her side, and has accompanied her from the White House to Westminster.

We’ve also been May debut a plastic oversized ivory chain necklace this year. Teaming it with a classic white shirt and her Vivienne Westwood Blackwatch blazer, this is a cool contemporary look for the PM.

Some might not be able to carry off this rad look, but the PM shows how the right amount of bling can perk up an everyday work wear outfit, bringing a bit of personality and style to proceedings.

Come back tomorrow for the D is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: B is for Brand Britain

Rule Britannia! Besides The Queen, the Prime Minister is the ultimate Ambassador for Brand Blighty. Research that Political Style conducted after six months of her tenure as Prime Minister showed that Theresa May wore pieces from British designers for 75% of all appearances.

Unsurprisingly, Amanda Wakeley was her most worn British brand, followed by footwear from Russell & Bromley and LK Bennett. May similarly chose to accessorize with pieces from big British names such as Anya Hindmarch and Halcyon Days.

We’d expect our Prime Minister to champion Brand Britain, and particularly in our post-Brexit landscape, it’s right that our leader is spotlighting the very best that Britain has to offer on the world stage.

May doesn’t just stick to household names. Shining a light on many emerging designers and entrepreneurs, May has worn pieces from a British fashion student and a mompreneur whilst performing her duties as Prime Minister.

The British fashion industry is big business for our country. Worth £28 billion a year to the UK and bringing over 800,000 jobs to our economy, May is the ultimate ambassador for Brand Britain. Long may she reign over us in glorious style!

Come back tomorrow for the C is for... reveal! For further A-Z entries and Theresa May posts click here. 

Theresa May A-Z: A is for Amanda Wakeley

Welcome to the month of May and our celebration of all things Theresa May! Over the next month we’ll be sharing the definitive A-Z guide to Theresa May’s sense of style and providing an expert view of what makes our Prime Minister so chic.

Leaving no stone unturned, we’ll be looking at her role as an ambassador for Brand Britain, the shops she sources her outfits from and some predictions for future pieces you might see her wear. We’ll be sharing some of her fashionable highlights and discussing how she is empowering women to show their personality through what they wear.

We’re keen to hear your thoughts on this A-Z series of Theresa May’s style. Reach out to us on politicalstyle@gmail.com or on Twitter- and don’t forget to share with your equally fashionable friends.

We begin at the beginning, and with the designer most synonymously linked with Theresa May….

A is for Amanda Wakeley

Sharp suits, Aztec print and a flash of neon, Theresa May turns to Amanda Wakeley for grown-up tailoring with a modern luxury twist.

A devotee of Amanda Wakeley for many years, Theresa May wore many of her luxury designs during her time as Home Secretary. Bold and dramatic, Wakeley’s designs are recognised for clean lines, impeccable fit and luxe details designed to take women through every aspect of their life’s journey with effortless chic. From ready to wear to gorgeous handbags, Wakeley’s designs provide stylish solutions for the multi-tasking Wakeley Woman.

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Theresa May effortlessly fits this description, and in a way, Wakeley’s clothes are like her uniform. Wakeley understands that women need to feel empowered by their clothes, and how important it is to have essential pieces that hold a wardrobe together. Being in the public eye, May needs a wardrobe that works for her- something that is appropriate for her busy role, but at the same time provides unrivalled quality and confidence in the knowledge that you will always look your best.

Amanda Wakeley’s gorgeous designs provide this for the Prime Minister. From the iconic navy and lime shift and coat she wore on the steps of Number 10, to the black lace dress May debuted at the Royal Hall, the PM can turn to Wakeley for every important occasion. Classic accessories enable May and a whole army of Wakeley women to build their perfect capsule wardrobe, with a focus on quality craftsmanship, the latest use of technology and transitional pieces seamlessly transporting women from season to season.

I’m often asked which of May’s Wakeley wardrobe is my favourite. With so many amazing pieces it is difficult to make a decision. Whilst I adore the navy and lime outfit she wore to deliver her first speech as Prime Minister, a super chic black coat tops my list. Similar in style to the neon number, the Midtown Black Fringe coat is utter luxury. Cut with layers of fine fringing at the hem, this design creates sophisticated movement and is the ultimate statement piece. I hope we’ll see the PM wearing this again soon!

Theresa May’s love of fashion and Amanda Wakeley’s focus on effortless style make this power pairing a perfect match, and one which will continue for many years to come.

Come back tomorrow for the B is for... reveal!