Inspiration has returned

Dear Fashpolitico Followers

My sincere apologies for the lack of posts.  Even when I found material I didn’t quite manage to get round to publishing it.  However after some (suitably fashionable ski related) knee surgery I am now at liberty to publish the little I found.

As I am spending my recuperation viewing #LFW from the comfort of my lap top I see that our political world has a long way to go to even begin to look fashionably interesting.  Here are some ideas of trends from the Autumn/Winter 2011-2012 collections which any political hack could easily incorporate into their daily outfits:

Colour blocking: simple and effective, see my favourite option at Osman

Texture: Sam Cam watched David Koma‘s show which incorporated leather, fur and spots.  I wonder if Sam’s getting tips for the forthcoming fashion events that are the Royal Wedding and the visit of the Obamas.

Fun: OK, I’m not suggesting you turn up to work with Minnie-Mouse hair, a dalmation coat and matching shoes (here from Topshop Unique), but you could opt for just one interesting piece.

Art deco: a trend that was prominent in the Topshop Unique collection and here at Holly Fulton.  A simple art deco inspired pattern would give that usual political uniform a touch of 30s glamour and class.

Now for what was found at the Party Conferences in 2010:

Outfits with red and red roses on always win out at Labour, who knows what would have happened if Kinnock had not chosen the rose as the moniker of the party.

However, in an unusual move two prominent Labour women went for a dark blue dresses with zips.  Is this a break away faction within the Labour party the political classes have yet to get to grips with?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile Conservative Party workers kept it traditional:

And the merchandise was certainly the best designed of the conference season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some Conservative supporters looked into the past for inspiration in this homage to Lady T, mixed in with a 60s vibe:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst others embraced the Coalition.  A fellow fashpolitico spotted this rare occurrence, yellow a the Conservative Party Conference.

I’m relying on you not to let me down now politicos, I will be needing more inspiration.  Start planning those outfits.

Destination Manchester

Once again the ‘first lady’ stole the fashion headlines from the Conservative Party Conference – Sam Cam.  Now I’m all in favour of looking relaxed at Conference and high street finds in greys and neutrals may look credit crunch chic, but I find them unconvincing.  Especially when Sam Cam’s day job is as a creative director creating high-end fashion items.  Fashpolitico wants her first ladies to be an inspiration – normality does not lift the spirits.  I do hope this high street neutrals trend, whilst admittedly very radical for a Conservative first wife, does not extend into office.

Having said that, I did like the M&S dress – but grey is too cool a colour for a political wife, something brighter would help to lift the mood – especially at these difficult economic times.

Moving on to the civilian fashpoliticos, at Conservative Conference there was only one fashion story, striped shirts with two buttons undone – the universal choice of the younger crowd at the Conference.

The Collection: striped shirt, two buttons undone

You can tell your at the Conservative Party Conference – the shirts are a lot brighter.

 

A blogging celebrity spot – looking the part, following the dress code.

It’s getting late – the wine is flowing – time for another button to be undone?

European style is still allowed

The striped shirt (2 buttons undone) code is followed, but this Swedish Conservative has added a handkerchief to his pocket – nice.

 

Interesting hair

OK it might not be clothing, but styling your hair is a key part of the Conservative look – far more so than with Labour fashpoliticos, where too many men opt for uninteresting ‘styles’.

Loving this Scottish moustache – the only one spotted across all the conferences.  A look due for a revival?

The sharpest side burns on this smart pinstriped Brummie.  Interestingly there were not that many pinstripes at the Conservative Conference this year.  Personally I like the look, but I suspect bankers will need to be back in fashion before pinstripes can make a comeback.

A unique spotting of Boris blonde hair next to big eyebrows.  Also appreciation is due to the Mancunian – the only fashpolitico who pouted!

Dresses live on

This lady works the monochrome look without looking dull – a bold pattern lifts the dress and makes it look special.  Sam Cam should take note.

You may have noticed, this is the only woman I photographed at the Conservative Conference, where as I struggled to find interesting men at the Labour Conference.  Was this bad luck – or was I in all the wrong places?

Rogue red

I didn’t expect to see the red accessory trend to extend into the Conservative Conference, perhaps this is just a lobbyist who forgot to re-pack her suitcase between conferences.

Champagne

Despite the ban, the odd spot of Bolly could still be found.  Fashpolitico approves.