DITCHING HER CRAZY PATTERNS

SHE doesn’t have a personal stylist, though she has tested the service.

‘She tried a stylist once or twice, but didn’t like it,’ reveals a Downing Street insider.

Her early preference for bold patterns (above left in 2004) has now been replaced by a professional wardrobe of black, navy and pastel shades — with an occasional flash of colour (above right last year).

Her go-to brands are Amanda Wakeley, Hobbs, Vivienne Westwood and Roland Mouret (she owns at least two of his dresses, including the £1,395 Bitzer design).

At her favourite boutique, Fluidity in Henley-on-Thames, staff keep an eye out for products that would suit her.

‘They know the sort of thing that I like to wear, so they will sometimes ring me up and say: “There’s something really nice in,”’ she once revealed.

She recently picked up a £600 black tunic with attached yellow belt from French brand Paule Ka. ‘She’s bemused that people are shocked she does her own shopping,’ a No 10 source says. ‘She likes to look at what’s on the rails.’

For those trademark shoes, she has loyalty cards at L.K. Bennett and Russell & Bromley.

She recently had one floor of the New Bond Street branch of Russell & Bromley shut to the public so she could browse. ‘She just adores their shoes,’ a source explains.

‘But one thing she’ll never wear is a slingback, no matter how many staff show her.’

For special occasions, Mrs May turns to Henley hatter Liz Felix, from whom she has bought two hats — both times visiting the shop with her husband, Philip.

‘She’s always casually dressed, in jeans and a jacket, and is decisive about what she wants,’ says Liz.

‘She loves the colour red and likes to hear Philip’s opinion before deciding.’