Suit's you sir! Dedicated followers of fashion go mad for Gareth Southgate's waistcoats
It’s the look which epitomises calmness and composure – and now everyone wants it.
England manager Gareth Southgate is spearheading a revival of waistcoats, with shops in Staffordshire and the Black Country selling out of the sleeveless garment.
Team supplier Marks & Spencer only had three of the £65 waistcoats at its Merry Hill store.
Stores in Walsall, West Bromwich, Birmingham and Telford have sold out.
Nationally, the company has seen a 35 per cent surge in the sales of the waistcoat.
It comes as latest figures show spending in pubs was boosted by a third during England’s opening World Cup game against Tunisia.
Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said: “For fashionistas, waistcoats can be found around every corner, thanks to the Gareth Southgate effect.
“Likewise, with England’s World Cup performance looking more promising by the minute, sales of football strips and football gear are only likely to be on the up.”
Cosford-born television presenter Suzi Perry said: “Dear men. You all need to go and buy a waistcoat.”
House of Fraser, which runs Beatties in Wolverhampton, posted on Twitter: “Football fever. Southgate fever. Waistcoat fever.”
A charity is now jumping on the bandwagon, urging everyone to wear a sleeveless garment for England’s semi final game against Croatia tomorrow.
Bloodwise is behind Waistcoat Wednesday, urging people who take part to donate cash.
With more than 30 million people expected to tune in again for tomorrow’s game, the fixture has seen the cancellation of other events.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street was to host a ‘Ask Andy’ forum at the Newman Centre in Wolverhampton.
But a spokesman for the West Midlands Combined Authority, which organised the event, said: “Given the nation will be preoccupied in the hope football is coming home we have made the decision to postpone the event to a later date yet to be decided.”
Meanwhile, England and Baggies kitman Pat Frost has revealed backroom staff had to replace goalscorer Harry Maguire’s shirt after he was given the wrong size.
