Margaret Thatcher’s suits fetch £73,000 at auction

Extraordinary sale price confirms the power dresser’s weight on the sartorial stage.

By Charlotte Simmonds Published 06 September 2012

The seven suits worn by Margaret Thatcher during her early political career (PHOTO: AP)

Seven suits worn by Margaret Thatcher in the 1970s fetched just over £73,000 at Christie’s auction house this week. Individual items - including a jade green wool suit worn by Thatcher on the day she was confirmed party leader in 1975, and a yellow dress worn at a party conference the same year - sold for up to £25,000.

Several other suits were worn during important radio and television appearances, including a peach ensemble donned for a BBC Analysis programme on “the importance of cleansing and moisturising” and a navy number worn for an episode of the classic 70s series “Val Meets the VIPs”.

The final selling price - far exceeding estimates (they were originally appraised at £1,000 - £1,500 each) - was allegedly the result of a “fierce” bidding war. It’s a dizzying figure, though perhaps no landslide when shelved against fashion heavyweights (Christie’s once auctioned off a ballgown worn by Princess Diana to a White House fête for £510,000). Regardless, the results surely signal a revived appreciation for the political sartorialist; a style icon in her own right, whose classic coiffed and pearled combo still echo in the halls of parliamentary memory.

Mhairi Graham, in a column for yesterday’s AnOther Magazine, called the Iron Lady “a colour blocking maverick” and “the ultimate power dresser”:

“Teamed with her signature pearls (given to her by husband Denis), she fashioned herself a uniform, while still retaining a sense of femininity. Although her clothing was never fashionable as such, she has become a sartorial genre in herself. Her pussybow blouses, statement pearl earrings and coordinating suits are used as a reference point and an iconographic milestone within the twentieth century, representing not only fashion but cultural and political values.”

Certainly, someone agrees – two anonymous bidders (one based in Korea) will share the pricey bounty.

Margaret Thatcher - A lesson in power dressing:

(On the front bench in 1970. PHOTO: Vogue)

(At the King's Road polling station, 1975. PHOTO: Vouge)

(At a party conference, 1970. PHOTO: Vogue)

(At a pro-market rally, 1975. PHOTO: Vogue)

(At 10 Downing Street after being named Prime Minister, 1979. PHOTO: Vogue)

(On an official visit to China, 1982. PHOTO: Vogue)

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View the discussion thread.

8 comments

Mon, 2012-09-17 19:56 — Caroline Crampton

Comments on this article are now closed. Thanks for the contributions.

Mon, 2012-09-17 19:53 — New Stateswoman (not verified)

Burn'em, I say.

Sat, 2012-09-08 11:54 — hugh markey (not verified)

Overheard some of Mrs T's gender and generation commenting on 'Iron Lady's' wardrobe. "Rather obvious, dear, if not downright vulgar!"

Whatever do they mean?

Haute Politics

Fri, 2012-09-07 06:16 — Chairman Ding Dong (not verified)

Dave bought the Iron Maiden outfit, as wants to nail Labour! Seems according to the exiled Welsh Secretary that has joined the Brecon 100's, he bought Mr Thatchers wine cellar too to top up his father's ... not bad eh?, free cirhosis of the Liver on the Nation too.

Mind you he is trying his best to close the pubs and tax-up beer so the peasants do not have any enjoyment! No drink, no smokes, no free bus pass for the pensioners, no jobs, but prayer mats are free to all worshippers of the faith, as bankers prostrate themselves in front of him in thanks.

Thu, 2012-09-06 22:32 — Mr Bingham (not verified)

I can just picture one of the buyers being William Hague so that he can dance around the cabinet office table fantasizing that he is Margaret Thatcher with David Laws being another puchaser joining in.

Fri, 2012-09-07 06:06 — Chairman Ding Dong (not verified)

...and Dave had the lipstick and makeover accessories, also the hidden hammer in the handbag!

Thu, 2012-09-06 22:12 — Davidaslindsay (not verified)

When the clothes of the former Princess Charles of Wales, subsequently Ms Diana Spencer, were auctioned off, then they became the outfits that outclassed all others on the New York drag queen circuit.

Will the same apply in London after this auction of the clothes of Margaret Thatcher?

If not, why not?

Thu, 2012-09-06 19:25 — Billy Wallop (not verified)

One of the most important people at this event was the tax specialist advising the Thatcher family about how to avoid tax on the proceeds oh the sale.