Thatcher symbol of 80s dressing

Margaret Thatcher may have been the UK's longest reigning prime minister of the 20th century, but she was by no means exempt to fashion. She loved to read the latest issues of British Vogue and her style and wardrobe was a reflection of the times, of which she was thoroughly in charge.

She expressed in her persona exactly where working women stood in the 1980s, favouring low-heeled court shoes and tailored skirt suits. Of course the pearls, the pussybow blouses and the Asprey handbag spoke of 'reliability' rather than frivolity but they added an element of fashion to her mostly power-dressing wardrobe.

According to the Herald Tribune, the prime minister would choose from a selection sent to her by the British retailer Marks & Spencer and off-the-peg outfits from Aquascutum, which she considered a solid heritage brand.

In 1988 Thatcher was elected to the International Best Dressed List as an influential role model “of classic middle-of-the-road elegance", which she said was “one of the greatest moments of my life.”

Images: Margaret Thatcher