Labour's Downing Street makeover: How Keir and Angela have had a radical style overhaul

By Chris Matthews 12:22 06 Jul 2024, updated 01:59 07 Jul 2024

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Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner are in power at last and they've already had a radical style overhaul - the latest in their history of developing their wardrobes to match their careers.

Dishy Rishi and his Savile Row suits are out. Now we're in the Starmer era of stylish glasses and tailored suits paired with Rayner's bold - yet often still whimsically quirky - power dresses.

Fashion designer Josh Birch Jones told MailOnline as Starmer became more and more powerful, there was a 'notable transformation' in his style.

Meanwhile, fellow fashion designer Jashaan Gill said while he hoped Rayner's sartorial pazazz would endure, it would be interesting to see whether she dulls down her style - something Gill thought would be a mistake.

One thing is for certain, Gill said - both Rayner and Starmer will need to have robust skin routines if they are to keep their youthful looks throughout their time in power.

Breaking down Starmer's fashion journey, Josh Birch Jones said: 'Keir Starmer's fashion evolution mirrors his political journey — from a grassroots activist to the highest office in the land. 

'His ability to adapt his style to reflect his evolving role while maintaining a sense of authenticity has been a key aspect of his public persona.

'As a young politician, Starmer was often seen sporting casual and practical attire, emblematic of his working-class roots and down-to-earth persona. 

'One of his signature looks during this period included Stone Island shirts, a brand renowned for its casual yet stylish appeal.

'These shirts, often associated with football culture and a rebellious edge, perfectly complemented Starmer's early image as a reformist and approachable figure.

'As Starmer's political career progressed and he took on more prominent roles, his fashion choices began to evolve, reflecting his growing stature and the need for a more polished public image.

'The transition from Stone Island to more sophisticated attire marked a significant shift.

'Gradually, his wardrobe incorporated more tailored pieces, signaling a move towards the formality expected of senior political figures.'

Starmer still occasionally sports Stone Island garb as he pushes his 'football and Peroni dad' image but he chooses a power suit more and more.

Jones added: 'As Prime Minister, Keir Starmer's style has fully matured into one befitting his office. 

'His preference for smart suits is evident, with well-fitted, classic cuts that exude confidence and authority. 

'Starmer often opts for dark, conservative colour such as navy and charcoal, paired with crisp white shirts and understated ties.

'This choice of attire not only aligns with the traditional expectations of a Prime Minister but also underscores his commitment to presenting a professional and reliable image to the public. 

'Despite this shift towards formality, Starmer's style retains an element of his original authenticity.

'He is occasionally seen in more relaxed suits and open-necked shirts, particularly during less formal engagements, which hark back to his earlier, more casual days. 

'This blend of professionalism with a touch of personal flair ensures that Starmer remains relatable while embracing the gravitas required of his current role.'

Starmer has replaced his Stone Island shirts with smart suits and his statement black-framed glasses.

His predecessor Rishi Sunak was no stranger to the world of high-end fashion,but Sir Keir's outfits from the last year show the Labour PM isn't far behind.

Inside Keir Starmer's wardrobe

£500 Sandro coat

£135 North Face jacket

£90 Adidas gazelles

£150 Stone Island polo

£64.99 Asics Pre-Venture 9 trainers 

£200 Hugo Boss trainers

£50 England football hoodie 

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He even has a suave favourite colour when it comes to clothes - navy, and it's reflected in his suits, cotton shirts, and shoes.

Unlike Rishi, Keir hasn't flashed the label of his suits to the public, leaving us in the dark of his go-to to tailor.

However, like Rishi, they're likely expensive. In 2020, Keir returned to his home in his damaged SUV after he was in collision with a Deliveroo cyclist.

The Labour Party faced questions over the accident, which allegedly happened on his way to a celebrity tailor – a big giveaway.

Meanwhile, Stone Island is associated with trendy streetwear types or football hooligans, but Keir showed that there is an in-between when he donned a £150 polo shirt from the Italian brand from 2022. 

Keir has also previously sported for a fancy £135 insulated jacket from North Face.

The Labour leader has also showed his street style through footwear. If it's not a pair of £200 navy trainers from Hugo Boss, it's £90 Adidas Gazelle's or £64.99 Asics Pre-Venture 9 trail running shoes.

Designed in 1966, Starmer's favourite Adidas Gazelle was the first trainer from the German-based company to be made from suede, giving drab leather alternatives a run for their money.

During the campaign, Starmer was spotted wearing a £500 coat on the campaign trail on the same day he told voters he 'knows what it feels like to struggle with bills'.

He was then seen sporting a humbler England football hoodie, which has a comparatively cheap £50 price tag, as he left his London property.

In doing so he ignored the warnings of his own aides who reportedly advised him not to put on a Three Lions shirt during the election campaign for fear of upsetting Scottish voters.

Meanwhile, Rayner has also had a style glow up. 

Early on her career it became clear she had ditched the usual politician's wardrobe of stuffy grey suits or simple shift dresses for a bolder style, with clashing colours, bright pink ankle socks and tartan skirts.

And as her profile has risen at Westminster, she has been unafraid to tone down her outfit choices. 

Even so, these days, gone are the bovver boots and animal print. Now Rayner opts for bold suits and power dresses. 

But even though she may be the most powerful woman in the country, that doesn't mean she's lost her quirky dress sense completely.

She still manages to retain her trademark flare - just last week she was spotted in a pair of Marvel comic themed socks.

Fashion designer Jashaan Gill told MailOnline: 'I'll be interested to see how their outfits and styles develop over their term while they're in office.

'As for skincare they're going to have a really good one. They're going to have to keep up with that. 

'If you see pictures of previous Prime Ministers when they first started and when their term ended, you can tell they've aged at least by a decade or even more 

'Their skincare routines need to be top tier. This is definitely something to watch and take note of. It's all that stress of running a country.'

He hailed Angela Rayner's bold outfits on her first two days in Downing Street as showing she was 'staying in touch with her true self'. 

He said: 'She's wearing bright colours. The two piece sets the suit in the bright colours - a more formal approach now she's in office. 

'But it's nice to see she's staying in touch with her true self. 

'It's a great thing to see in the public eye. Politicians are more approachable , omre relatable when they are wearing things at in line with fashion trends.

'We've seen the grey and black suits - it's boring in terms of the fashion perspective.

'We've been disillusioned in politics because they're not relatable. 

'Now the election has passed we can move on from that and fashion is an evolving industry as so it would be interesting to see how long these outfits are in the public domain for. 

'The longer they're in office, they may change their approach.'

But it's not just her clothes that create her style. Rayner has always been proud of her radiant ginger hair.

Around a dozen years ago, when she was still an up-and-coming trade unionist, she said people would underestimate her because of her locks.

She said: 'I'm a pretty young woman, lots of red hair, and everyone expects me to be stupid when I walk into a meeting for the first time.

'I'm not stupid and most people know that now, but I still like to be underestimated because it gives me an edge. It gives me a bit of stealth.'

As she started moving more into the public light, she decided to cut her hair short in 2022, with her straight ginger locks falling just below her shoulders.

Celebrity hair stylist Tom Smith told MailOnline that Rayner's natural hair appeared 'fine' and said the politician was opting for a 'formal-looking' style at the time. 

He added: 'I suspect she has always wanted longer hair but as her hair is thin it can be hard to grow out.' 

She later grew out a lengthy mane of red hair which reached her waist, which she regularly styled into tight curls. 

She became known for her big and bouncy hair-do. Her voluminous hair extensions added length to her ginger locks and she curled them into a distinctive bouncy style.

Celebrity stylist Tom said: 'Her extensions are mixed colour which gives the illusion of highlights.  

'This is a common choice when having extensions as it allows people to get a colour change and length all in one go.

'When she first had the extensions put in, she may have been excited to style her new hair which is why she curled them initially.'

Meanwhile Ava Holland, artistic director for Gielly Green, explained Angela may have styled the extensions into bouncy curls to 'cover up the disconnection from her natural hair and the extensions.' 

In 2022, Rayner ditched her trademark curls in favour of a poker straight set of hair extensions to show off her 'confidence and personality'.

However, she debuted a new look in the House of Commons when she appeared opposite Boris Johnson at Prime Minister's Questions in January 2022.

Rayner straightened her extensions for added effect and length, meaning they almost reached her waist.  

Celebrity stylist said there was 'a sense of playfulness' about her new style. 

Tom Smith said it was a 'drastic' change, explaining: 'Angela is not afraid to express herself and she is empowered to make her own choices and she is not trying to fit a stereotype.

'She is clearly comfortable in her own skin and likes to look after her appearance.'    

He added: 'There [was] a sense of confidence and playfulness about Angela's look. 

'Usually, extensions are undetectable, but her extensions [were] quite a long design choice and a drastic change. 

'She may have opted for this length to show more of her personality.'

Meanwhile he added that Angela's straightened hair might be 'less effort' to style each day.

He said: 'After time the motivation to put the effort into styling each day decreases which is why in newer photos her hair is straight. 

'Straight is the way the extensions are cut when put in and require effort into managing them. 

'The novelty has essentially worn off which is not unusual.'

In 2023, her commitment to the straight hair seemed to be faltering. First, the extensions got shorter.

Then the trademark curls were back. Now, she flicks between fully straight and curled at the end - but one thing seems almost completely certain: the fringe remains.