This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/oct/06/nick-clegg-liberal-democrat-conference-wardrobe

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Nick Clegg liberal with his wardrobe at party conference Nick Clegg liberal with his wardrobe at party conference
(about 1 hour later)
Nick Clegg has attracted mockery for changing into at least three different outfits in one day at the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference in Glasgow. Nick Clegg has attracted mockery for changing into at least four different outfits in one day at the Liberal Democrats’ autumn conference in Glasgow.
The party leader and deputy prime minister chose to wear casual attire for two public appearances, but wore a suit between outings. The party leader and deputy prime minister chose to wear casual attire for three public appearances, but wore a suit between outings.
Clegg wore a suit on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, before appearing in jeans or dark trousers and a light blue shirt to visit a primary school with his wife, Miriam González Durántez.Clegg wore a suit on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, before appearing in jeans or dark trousers and a light blue shirt to visit a primary school with his wife, Miriam González Durántez.
He later appeared on stage at the party conference for a question and answer session wearing a different, darker shirt and some blue-grey trousers.He later appeared on stage at the party conference for a question and answer session wearing a different, darker shirt and some blue-grey trousers.
Shortly after that appearance, Clegg was spotted back in a suit strolling down the corridor of the conference centre. Shortly after that appearance, a besuited Clegg was spotted strolling down the corridor of the conference centre, and he also donned a brown jumper in a fourth apparent change of outfit.
Clegg’s choice of clothes appeared to distract journalists from the substance of his remarks, as speculation grew over what it revealed about his attitude towards the conference.Clegg’s choice of clothes appeared to distract journalists from the substance of his remarks, as speculation grew over what it revealed about his attitude towards the conference.
Why did Clegg wear a suit on Sunday 4 Marr but then casual wear @ conference today? Why doesn't conference deserve the same respect as Marr?Why did Clegg wear a suit on Sunday 4 Marr but then casual wear @ conference today? Why doesn't conference deserve the same respect as Marr?
Amid debate about whether his casual trousers were jeans or chinos, an LBC radio reporter said Clegg was himself unsure, telling him: “I don’t know, they’re just an old pair of trousers.”Amid debate about whether his casual trousers were jeans or chinos, an LBC radio reporter said Clegg was himself unsure, telling him: “I don’t know, they’re just an old pair of trousers.”
Trousergate exclusive: @nick_clegg tells me he doesn't know whether they are jeans or chinos - "they're just an old pair of trousers".Trousergate exclusive: @nick_clegg tells me he doesn't know whether they are jeans or chinos - "they're just an old pair of trousers".
Many senior Lib Dem figures have adopted a relaxed look while addressing the conference, with both Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, and Tim Farron, the party president, ditching their ties and jackets, and opting for open-necked shirts. Vince Cable, the business secretary, wore a suit with yellow tie.Many senior Lib Dem figures have adopted a relaxed look while addressing the conference, with both Danny Alexander, the chief secretary to the Treasury, and Tim Farron, the party president, ditching their ties and jackets, and opting for open-necked shirts. Vince Cable, the business secretary, wore a suit with yellow tie.
Fashion verdictFashion verdict
At fashion week, Anna Dello Russo, editor-at-large of Vogue Japan and street-style blogger catnip, changes at least three times a day. She wears full catwalk looks by the designers for whom she sits in the front row – a Saint Laurent party dress and glitter shoes, say, or a Chanel boucle suit and shopping basket. It’s a bit of a production, sure, but pretty standard for a woman once described as a “fashion maniac” by Helmut Newton.At fashion week, Anna Dello Russo, editor-at-large of Vogue Japan and street-style blogger catnip, changes at least three times a day. She wears full catwalk looks by the designers for whom she sits in the front row – a Saint Laurent party dress and glitter shoes, say, or a Chanel boucle suit and shopping basket. It’s a bit of a production, sure, but pretty standard for a woman once described as a “fashion maniac” by Helmut Newton.
Not so Nick Clegg. But at the Lib Dem conference on Monday, he did a Della Russo; changing at least three times for a schedule that included press interviews, a school visit and a Q&A session in the afternoon. The morning interviews demanded a suit – the usual garb – but it’s when politicians try to go casual that the house of cards falls down (see: David Cameron on holiday, or William Hague at carnival).Not so Nick Clegg. But at the Lib Dem conference on Monday, he did a Della Russo; changing at least three times for a schedule that included press interviews, a school visit and a Q&A session in the afternoon. The morning interviews demanded a suit – the usual garb – but it’s when politicians try to go casual that the house of cards falls down (see: David Cameron on holiday, or William Hague at carnival).
Clegg had two attempts at casual in one day – a light blue shirt, charcoal jumper and chinos for school, followed by a dark blue shirt with an unidentified shade of grey chinos and leather accessories for the Q&A.Clegg had two attempts at casual in one day – a light blue shirt, charcoal jumper and chinos for school, followed by a dark blue shirt with an unidentified shade of grey chinos and leather accessories for the Q&A.
This is hardly the frow-friendly fodder of ADR, but the Clark Kent-like quick changes (where is he doing this? In the campaign car? The loo?) show a step-change in Clegg’s image leading up to next year’s general election.This is hardly the frow-friendly fodder of ADR, but the Clark Kent-like quick changes (where is he doing this? In the campaign car? The loo?) show a step-change in Clegg’s image leading up to next year’s general election.
The first outfit gets a yes from us – crisp, plain basics in nice colours. A bit Uniqlo, a bit Normcore. Not too try-hard, especially by the side of his wife, with her natural style flair, and a jolly printed top.The first outfit gets a yes from us – crisp, plain basics in nice colours. A bit Uniqlo, a bit Normcore. Not too try-hard, especially by the side of his wife, with her natural style flair, and a jolly printed top.
The second outfit shows, however, that he’s still learning. This is a style fail: and it’s all down to the details. A leather belt and pointy smart leather shoes worn with creased chinos smells of suit-wearer ill at ease in his weekend clothes, rather than the relaxed, regular-guy look he’s going for.The second outfit shows, however, that he’s still learning. This is a style fail: and it’s all down to the details. A leather belt and pointy smart leather shoes worn with creased chinos smells of suit-wearer ill at ease in his weekend clothes, rather than the relaxed, regular-guy look he’s going for.
ADR’s position is not under threat just yet. But two out of three is a majority – and, as Clegg well knows, that can be just enough. ADR’s position is not under threat just yet. But two out of three is a majority – and, as Clegg well knows, that can be just enough. Lauren Cochrane