Andy Burnham has many things to weigh as his arrival at No 10 nears – cost‑of‑living, Ukraine’s war, defence funding – but he also faces a wardrobe decision. From Manchester to London he swapped his trademark dark T‑shirt, trousers and Adidas for a suit, then added a tie before Parliament.

Was this a symbolic shift signalling a more formal role or a one‑off? Burnham’s “Manchester clothes” – described as normcore, centrist dad, or “The Smiths meets Britpop” – have earned him the label king of the casuals from Emma Finamore. His look is smart yet less formal than other MPs.

Before 2020, he often wore suits; in 2015 he was suited beside Jeremy Corbyn, who won the leadership race. After leaving Westminster he dropped ties and jackets, saying he no longer needed them. Yet the Commons now enforces dress codes: John Bercow relaxed rules, but Sir Lindsay Hoyle will not.

Politics has long used fashion as a tool. From Margaret Thatcher’s high‑shoulder suits to Volodymyr Zelensky’s military‑style attire, clothes signal authority. Burnham must balance his approachable, homespun persona with Westminster’s expectations, a challenge in an era where visual impact matters.