V&A to capture Iron Lady’s distinctive dress-sense

THEY are examples of the classic power dressing of the Eighties – but in this case quite literally. The shoulder-padded suits that defined Margaret Thatcher’s tenure in Downing Street will be part of a new collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The gift, from Lady Thatcher’s family, draws a line under a public row after it emerged last year that the museum had initially turned down an informal offer of some of the former prime minister’s outfits.

The museum has now accepted a donation of six outfits and a hat from Lady Thatcher’s children, Sir Mark and Carol Thatcher, and her grandchildren Michael and Amanda.

The collection shows how the distinctive Thatcher style developed during her time in office from 1979 to 1990. It includes the royal blue Aquascutum suit ( left) Lady Thatcher wore on polling day in 1987 as she won her third general election, and for her speech to the Conservative Party conference a few months later.

But perhaps the most distinctive element of the Thatcher style is conspicuous by its absence. Unlike the pre-auction exhibition of Lady Thatcher’s possessions at Christie’s last year, the collection does not include a handbag.

The V&A said that it would “welcome the chance to acquire one”.