Bloody difficult woman? Try boldly dressed woman, says Grazia’s Rebecca Lowthorpe

Yes. Theresa May is a BDW: a Boldly Dressed Woman.

In fact, her fashion choices tell us she’s nothing short of a Bloody Big Breakthrough. Note the way she whips colour into submission, the natty skirt suits, figure-skimming dresses and what about the navy coat with the bold yellow hem that she wore with a chunky necklace drawing the eye to – what? – cleavage! When was the last time we saw a politico looking appropriately prime ministerial

with cleavage? Readers, this is new territory. And we haven’t even started on the shoes! Her trademark: the jazzy flat, be it leopard- or lip-print, is a sartorial statement made only by the brave. Some gripe that we shouldn’t mention women politicians in the same breath as fashion for fear of the F word somehow diminishing their stature, and yet here’s May demonstrating that the very opposite is true – and defiantly, at that. Her penchant for dresses by Roland Mouret (best known for body-con) and suits by the queen of anti-establishment fashion, Vivienne Westwood, has never dinted her political career. You could say it’s been the making of it. Not for her the Merkel/clinton trouser suit template that smacks of the fear of being scrutinised; May’s deployment of fashion is fearless, it makes her look strong, in control and it feels genuine and natural. M&S, are you reading this? Designers, here’s your new ambassador! Because, aged 59, and blessed with long-legged elegance, May is the ultimate pin-up for ageless style.