Pantsuits and Pillboxes: The top ten political trendsetters

Forging a signature look in politics is worth its weight in votes.

From Boris's shaggy hairstyle to FDR's cigarette holder, many politicians work their style as assiduously as any catwalk model. Here is Comment Central's take on the ten most memorable political looks.

Hillary Clinton

Farewell Hillary. We'll miss the tears, tempers and tactics. But most of all, we'll miss the pantsuits. Their importance was such that Clinton even mentioned them in her convention speech and they still pose the campaign's greatest unanswered question. Just how many does she have? All together now: red and yellow and pink and green...

Nicolas Sarkozy

If Tom Cruise can do it, why can't the leader of France? The words 'Napoleonic Complex' and 'Nicolas Sarkozy' are never far apart. But photographs of these shoes might provide the best evidence yet. Still they do give him one distinct advantage. The extra two inches put him just three below his wife.

Winston Churchill

You say Churchill. I say cigar. The legendary leader was seldom seen without his trademark tobacco and was the only person allowed to smoke in the Cabinet War Rooms. His devotion to them was so intense that a grateful industry christened a brand after him. The Australians took things one step further. His memorial there is a 101 foot statue...of a cigar.

Silvio Berlusconi

It's unlikely that any self-respecting stylist would have advised Berlusconi to sport a piratical bandanna while visiting Tony Blair. But that didn't stop the Italian politician. And the headscarf had another purpose. It served to cover up his recent hair transplant.

Pope Benedict XVI

When it comes to dressing up, the chief resident in the Vatican has more to play with than most world leaders. All those chains, cloaks and furry hats. Oh yes, and some bright red Prada loafers. Whoever eventually fills the shoes of Pope Benedict XVI better have an eye for accessories.

Jackie Kennedy

Oh to be in Camelot in the era of John and Jackie. Cleanly fitted suits, oversized sunglasses, strands of pearls and perfect accessories defined the First Lady's look and spawned countless imitations. All topped off with that perfectly perched pillbox.

Kim Jong II

Kim Jong II is an unlikely fashion icon. And yet North Korea's 'Dear Leader' deservers a special mention in the style stakes. I'm not sure if it's the oversized glasses or the ever-more bouffant hair. But here is one dictator who has always refused to blend in.

Neville Chamberlain

It takes quite some confidence to pull off a shirt that prevents rapid neck motion. But while Chamberlain's political career failed to cover him in glory, his preference for stiff, high-wing collars earned him a place in history. Add his traditional rolled umbrella and you've got an outfit built to last.

Margaret Thatcher

Might Maggie be the most famous handbag fan since Oscar Wilde? Long before Hillary Clinton slung on her first jacket, Margaret Thatcher channelled every woman by stalking the Whitehall corridors armed only with a big bag. While we all wondered about its contents, she preferred to use it to bash opponents around the head. Metaphorically, of course. Here she is:

I am obstinate in defending out liberties and our law. That is why I carry a big handbag.

Imelda Marcos

Sure, she might be known for her dictator husband and her own political career. But what really defines Imelda Marcos were the hundreds and hundreds of shoes found in the presidential palace. 1060 pairs to be precise. Clinton couldn't possibly have that many pantsuits. Could she?

Comments

[haralambos]

How dare you leave out Mandelas shirts? what were you thinking?

[Lisa]

Surely Che Guevara in his beret? It's one of the most used images in the world and is a symbol of rebellion.

[Steven]

Hitler's moustache?? Not the best man... But it's famous as hell... You just ask Charlie C. ;p

[Rashed Rafi]

She has been the ,Hero of People's Heart,

Everyone was waiting for the most popular figure of USA of these days , the passed president of the people’s heart, the most charismatic leader and the main speaker of the day of democratic convention at Denver . All on a sudden, ensuring the enthusiastic audience, the proud daughter, Chelsey Clinton came to the stage to introduce her proud mother as her Hero. And then, The most expected person of the day ,Hillary Rodham Clinton showed up her sunny face to soothe the craze of the long waited people of the day. She started saying herself as the proud supporter of Barack Obama and finished by casting the heart of the audience by her precisely wise and concisely elegant speech. What more she could have said to be the most generous supporter of her rival of not so long ago Mr. Obama when she stated the very intellectual sentence to be mostly positive and very political to be mostly negative “ No way No how No MacCain”. To me on that moment she seemed to be like the undisputable leader of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Rashed Rafi

Matlab,Chandpur,

Bangladesh

[Abby]

Who is choosing Michelle Obama's clothes? She is a corporate attorney and MUST have some suits or tailored skirts and blouses in her closet! The dresses she wears make her look like she's on her way to a baby shower at a chain restaurant.