British PM Theresa May: Tough Politico and Fearless Fashionista

Unlike most female politicians, who often downplay or ignore matters of fashion, Britain’s new Prime Minister, Theresa May, is unabashedly a fashionista.

The 59-year-old leader of the Conservative Party, who took over leadership reins after the recent Brexit fallout in the UK, has shown a love for bold jewellery, daring necklines, colourful nail polish, over-the-knee patent leather boots and an item that has seemingly become her style signature—leopard print kitten heels. It’s a fashion accessory that is subversive in nature because, while demure and lady-like in stature, it’s also sexy and provocative. And Theresa May owns several pairs and shows no compunction about frequently wearing them.

The newest occupant at 10 Downing Street—only the second female in history after Margaret Thatcher—has never tried to hide her appreciation for fashion and once famously declared she enjoys clothes.

In an interview back in 2005, she declared that the greatest loves in her life were her husband and shoes.

When asked on a radio show what would be the one luxury item she would chose to take to a deserted island, she mentioned a lifetime subscription to Vogue magazine.

In 1996, the fashion magazine featured her in a piece on women and office attire and styled her in a suit from the conservative British brand, Aquascutum. She later told the Telegraph, “In truth, I would have preferred Versace.”

While it’s refreshing to hear a powerful woman in political office actually admitting to enjoying fashion, such a notion has traditionally been seen as career limiting. Political pundits would have you believe that to show an interest in such a subject would deem you frivolous, vain and somehow less intelligent to constituents.

When Hillary Clinton was running against Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, she allegedly  refused to be photographed for the cover of a major American fashion magazine. It was rumoured that she was advised it wouldn’t be in her campaign’s best interest to be seen on the cover of a fashion magazine at such a pivotal time.

Obviously Theresa May couldn’t care less about what her love for fashion or clothes suggest about her.  She has serious political chops which should indicate how suitable she is for the top job. As MP for Maidenhead since 1997, she has climbed the ranks to the upper echelons of the Conservative Party before becoming Home Secretary in 2010. She made history as the longest serving candidate in that position in the past 100 years.

And now she’s making history again as the second female to lead one of the most powerful nations in the world. And she doesn’t mind looking damn good while doing so.

Click through for some of her best looks.

 

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 15: Home Secretary Theresa May arrives in Downing Street to attend the Weekly Cabinet Meeting on November 15, 2011 in London, England. Mrs May has revealed that 10 million people entered the UK in August 2011 alone during a pilot scheme where passport checks on certain EU citizens were relaxed at 28 ports and airports. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Even back in her years as Home Secretary, Theresa May showed some style savvy, dressed in a Vivienne Westwood jacket and wearing plum coloured kitten heels as seen here in November 2011 as she attends a cabinet meeting at Downing Street.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 27: Home Secretary Theresa May arrives for a cabinet meeting at Downing Street on June 27, 2016 in London, England. British Prime Minister David Cameron is due to chair an emergency Cabinet meeting this morning, after Britain voted to leave the European Union. Chancellor George Osborne spoke at a press conference ahead of the start of financial trading and outlining how the Government will 'protect the national interest' after the UK voted to leave the EU. (Photo by Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

Perfectly coordinated in cool blue hues, Theresa May arrives for a meeting with then-British Prime Minister David Cameron in June 2016.

 

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 21: British Home Secretary Theresa May arrives to attend the ceremonial welcome ceremony for Singapore's President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the start of a state visit at Horse Guards Parade on October 21, 2014 in London, England. The President is at the beginning of his four day stay during which he will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron. (Photo by Leon Neal - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Wearing an elegantly chic suit, Theresa May amps up the style wattage with a pair of graphic gloves as seen here at a ceremonial welcome ceremony for Singapore’s President Tony Tan Keng Yam in October 2014 in London.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 05: British Home Secretary Theresa May attends a ceremonial welcome for visiting President of South Korea, Park Geun-Hye (not pictured) at Horseguards Parade on November 5, 2013 in London, England. South Korea's president Park Geun-Hye is on a state visit to the UK from November 5-7. (Photo by Sean Dempsey - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Dressed in one of her colourful signature coats and a pair of patent leather boots, Theresa May attends an event for visiting President of South Korea, Park Geun-Hye, back in November 2013 in London.

BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 20: British Prime Minister Theresa May wears leopard-patterned shoes as she and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (not pictured) speak to the media following talks at the Chancellery on July 20, 2016 in Berlin, Germany. May, who replaced David Cameron as prime minister last week in the wake of the Brexit vote that will take the United Kingdom out of the European Union, is visiting Germany and France in her first foreign trip since assuming office. (Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

British Prime Minister Theresa May has shown a particular love for leopard print kitten heels, judging from the various pairs she wears.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - OCTOBER 20: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Home Secretary Theresa May attends the Official Ceremonial Welcome for the Chinese State Visit on October 20, 2015 in London, England. The President of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr Xi Jinping and his wife, Madame Peng Liyuan, are paying a State Visit to the United Kingdom as guests of The Queen. They will stay at Buckingham Palace and undertake engagements in London and Manchester. The last state visit paid by a Chinese President to the UK was Hu Jintao in 2005. (Photo by Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

Taking a page out of the Queen’s style book, Theresa May wears a coordinated hat with her dress for the official ceremonial welcome for The President of the Peoples Republic of China, Mr. Xi Jinping, state visit to England in October 2015.