The Southgate effect: fans jump on (waist) coat-tails of manager’s style
ENGLAND football T-shirts are out – and waistcoats are in as the look of summer 2018.
Inspired by the smart appearance of Gareth Southgate, the team manager, fans have flocked to buy his signature waistcoat, which he has worn for every England match.
Marks & Spencer, the official suit supplier for the England team, said demand for waistcoats had risen 35 per cent in the wake of the team’s participation in the World Cup. It even dubbed the sales increase “the Gareth Southgate effect”.
Fans can buy the official England suit for
£265 but the waistcoat can be bought separately for £65. Many fans said they would buy the waistcoat in support of the manager, who became the first England coach to see his team win a World Cup penalty shoot-out.
Hundreds of fans on Twitter announced plans to jump on the summer trend following the country’s victory over Colombia on Tuesday. Rachel Cossey tweeted: “I’m buying a waistcoat and living in it until we reach the final.” Emile Mcmeekan wrote: “Am thinking of buying my husband a waistcoat …”
And Ken Lawrence praised the manager, adding: “Southgate is a complete class act. Measured, secure in himself and articulate. I’m buying a waistcoat.”