Blue suits and smelly trainers
Blue suits and smelly trainers
Conservative vs Labour Party Conference: A Fashionable Divide
The Conservative and Labour Party Conferences in the United Kingdom offer a starkly contrasting sight when it comes to attendees’ dress sense. The most noticeable difference is the age-adjusted fashion choices. At the Conservative Party Conference, the halls are bustling with young people who appear to be dressed like middle-aged business professionals. The preferred attire consists of a blue suit, shirt, and tie, with a touch of individuality added by some through pocket squares, waistcoats (sometimes in vibrant colors), and even pocket watches.
On the other hand, the Labour Party Conference presents a different scene, with ageing baby boomers dressing like students. The attire of choice is typically a t-shirt, often featuring the faces of Marxist icons like Che Guevara, or adorned with logos of rock legends such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. Paired with jeans and trainers, this fashion statement aimed at capturing a youthful spirit falls short when it comes to its intended audience—middle-aged or elderly individuals. The t-shirts struggle to contain expanding bellies, the jeans become uncomfortably tight, and the trainers exude a distinctly unpleasant aroma. The end result is an unfortunate image of a teenager thrust into premature aging, with greying or thinning hair, expanding paunches, and a dwindling skeletal frame.
Ironically, many of these baby-boom Corbynistas likely believe that both their clothing and their ideologies keep them in touch with their youthful days. However, their attires only serve to illustrate the widening gap between their current selves and the idealized image of their youthful vigor.
While the fashion choices at these conferences may be a source of amusement, it’s worth noting that humor is not confined to attire alone. In the midst of the Conservative Party Conference, whispered exchanges filled the air. One particularly memorable conversation went as follows: “Do you still see Theresa socially?” to which the response came, “Not since she sacked my husband.” Such glimpses of wit and personal anecdotes add a touch of levity to the often serious and politically charged atmosphere.
In summary, the Conservative and Labour Party Conferences in the UK not only offer a platform for political discussion and policy debates, but also provide an opportunity for sartorial observations. The juxtaposition of young individuals donning middle-aged business attire with elder statesmen struggling to hold onto a long-lost youth creates a humorous dichotomy. It is a reminder that clothing choices can often reveal more about the wearers than intended, highlighting the passage of time and the evolving attitudes towards fashion.
