The Unassuming Style of a Politician: Decoding Andy Burnham's Fashion Choices
When Andy Burnham stepped out at the launch of the Class Ceiling report in Manchester, his outfit spoke volumes about his persona and politics. A simple black V-neck jumper paired with dark denim jeans gave off an air of quiet confidence, setting him apart from his Westminster colleagues who were more likely to don a suit and tie.
Burnham's style has undergone a significant transformation since he left Westminster politics. Gone are the days of formal suits and ties; instead, he now favors all-black workwear outfits that exude a sense of practicality and informality. This deliberate choice is calculated to appeal to his Mancunian audience, signaling that he is outside the London bubble.
According to experts, Burnham's fashion choices reflect his politics: mildly left-of-center, moderately radical, and nonconformist. His style rejects the polished dress codes of Westminster politicians, opting for a more casual approach that is both deliberate and expressive. As Andrew Groves, a professor of fashion design, notes, "It's as calculated as any Westminster suit, just aimed at a different audience."
Burnham's unique position as the first metro mayor of Greater Manchester has allowed him to set his own fashion rules. He has carved out a distinct identity that is both personal and political. His style is influenced by his Mancunian musical heroes, with a nod to The Smiths and Britpop.
The contrast between Burnham and his potential successor, Keir Starmer, cannot be more stark. While Starmer's style may share some similarities with Burnham's, it lacks the same level of nonconformity and audacity. When he attends Labour events, Starmer tends to dress in a more subdued manner, often wearing navy shirts under black suits.
Burnham's willingness to challenge fashion norms has not always been met with enthusiasm. In 2015, his admission to buying Armani suits sparked controversy among some Labour activists. However, it appears that Burnham has moved on from that chapter of his life and is now committed to a more laid-back approach.
As Burnham continues to build his reputation as a politician outside of Westminster, it will be fascinating to see how his style evolves – or returns – if he ever decides to take the leap back to the capital. For now, his all-black workwear outfits remain an integral part of his image, reflecting both his politics and his distinct Mancunian identity.
When Andy Burnham stepped out at the launch of the Class Ceiling report in Manchester, his outfit spoke volumes about his persona and politics. A simple black V-neck jumper paired with dark denim jeans gave off an air of quiet confidence, setting him apart from his Westminster colleagues who were more likely to don a suit and tie.
Burnham's style has undergone a significant transformation since he left Westminster politics. Gone are the days of formal suits and ties; instead, he now favors all-black workwear outfits that exude a sense of practicality and informality. This deliberate choice is calculated to appeal to his Mancunian audience, signaling that he is outside the London bubble.
According to experts, Burnham's fashion choices reflect his politics: mildly left-of-center, moderately radical, and nonconformist. His style rejects the polished dress codes of Westminster politicians, opting for a more casual approach that is both deliberate and expressive. As Andrew Groves, a professor of fashion design, notes, "It's as calculated as any Westminster suit, just aimed at a different audience."
Burnham's unique position as the first metro mayor of Greater Manchester has allowed him to set his own fashion rules. He has carved out a distinct identity that is both personal and political. His style is influenced by his Mancunian musical heroes, with a nod to The Smiths and Britpop.
The contrast between Burnham and his potential successor, Keir Starmer, cannot be more stark. While Starmer's style may share some similarities with Burnham's, it lacks the same level of nonconformity and audacity. When he attends Labour events, Starmer tends to dress in a more subdued manner, often wearing navy shirts under black suits.
Burnham's willingness to challenge fashion norms has not always been met with enthusiasm. In 2015, his admission to buying Armani suits sparked controversy among some Labour activists. However, it appears that Burnham has moved on from that chapter of his life and is now committed to a more laid-back approach.
As Burnham continues to build his reputation as a politician outside of Westminster, it will be fascinating to see how his style evolves – or returns – if he ever decides to take the leap back to the capital. For now, his all-black workwear outfits remain an integral part of his image, reflecting both his politics and his distinct Mancunian identity.
Andy Burnham's style is SO underrated 
! He's like a breath of fresh air in politics 
. I love how he's ditched the suit and tie for all-black workwear outfits 
- it's so him 
. Plus, his nod to The Smiths and Britpop is EVERYTHING 
.
, and Burnham gets that 
. His style is like a reflection of his personality: down-to-earth and unapologetic 
. And can we talk about how he's killing the game with those Armani suits? 
.
- it's like they're from different planets 
. I'm not sure what's more impressive, Burnham's willingness to challenge fashion norms or his effortless cool 
!
, refreshing politics from the stuffy suits 
. He's rocking that all-black workwear vibe like it's going outta style 
, and I'm loving it! 
. Not like those suit-wearing Westminster politicians who are just following the crowd 
. Burnham's style is all about being himself, unapologetically 
, and that's what makes it so compelling 
. Can't wait to see how he evolves his style in the future 
! 
he's not trying to impress anyone else but the people of manchester. and honestly, i think it says a lot about him as a politician that he's willing to take fashion risks and challenge the norms 
️, not sure if it's a good or bad thing but you can't deny the impact it has on people 
now he's all about that dark denim jeans life and it's kinda growing on me. but seriously, it's like he's trying to make a statement or something - "hey, i'm not just some london boy, im from manchester too!" 
plus its nice 2 c a politician who's not afraid 2 take risks w/ fashion. burnham's got swag n I'm here 4 it!!! 
. The guy in black workwear is not some revolutionary leader, he's just a politician trying to appeal to his audience 
. I mean, if he wants to be taken seriously as a leader, maybe he should try mixing in some brighter colors or patterns, you know, for contrast 
.
. Give him credit, he's managed to make "all-black workwear" sound like some kind of revolutionary uniform 
I was just thinking about this cool new pizza place that just opened up down the street from me 
and how their pizza crust is literally infused with truffle oil... have you guys tried it? It's like a game changer! 
The combination of flavors is so on point, I feel like I'm in Italy or something 
. I mean, who else can pull off looking like a total boss in all-black workwear? It's like he's saying, "Hey, I may not be a suit-and-tie type, but I'm still making it happen!" And you know what? It's kinda infectious - it's giving me major street style vibes 
.
it's like he's sending a message that politics doesn't have to be stuffy all the time. plus, i think his nod to britpop is really cool 
.
I don't know if that's a good thing or not, but it's definitely an interesting contrast 
.
. I think it's dope how he's carved out a style that's uniquely his own, reflecting his Mancunian roots and politics. It's like he's trying to send a message that says "I'm not your average Westminster politico" 
[GIF of scissors cutting through a suit]
. But for now, let's just enjoy the Burnham vibes 
! 
I love how he's ditched the suits for a more casual vibe that still shows he's put together. It's like he's saying "I'm a politician, but I'm also a Mancunian" 
The fact that he's influencing his fashion choices with music heroes like The Smiths and Britpop is genius 
And can we talk about how refreshing it is to see someone in politics being unapologetically themselves?