NOT necessarily considered a fashion icon during her time at 10 Downing Street, Margaret Thatcher was famed for her sartorial staples – a string of pearls, given to her by husband Denis, pussy bow blouses, an Asprey handbag and a seemingly-endless supply of fitted skirt suits in every shade of blue from royal to navy.
But her inimitable look has come to define an era. That favourite Asprey bag, which became synonymous with her conservative but feminine style, sold at Christie’s for £25,000 in June 2011. “I hope that the highest bidder knows that if he’s into handbagging, he’s got a weapon with quite a track record,” said Thatcher’s daughter, Carol, at the sale. “After all, my mother invented the verb ‘to handbag'”.
Look back here at her most famous fashion moments in her life in pictures.
1934
A nine-year-old Margaret at Huntingtower Road Primary School in Grantham, Lincolnshire.
December 1951
With husband Denis on their wedding day at Wesley’s Chapel in London.
October 1959
Receiving a telegraph at her Farnborough home following her election as MP.
April 1968
Arriving at the Dorchester Hotel for an event.
July 1970
Sitting on the Conservative front bench during the state opening of Parliament in her role as Secretary Of State For Education.
October 1970
At the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool with Roger Mountford.
June 1975
Wearing a European flag jumper to attend a pro-market rally.
June 1975
Arriving at the King’s Road Chelsea Polling Station to vote in the referendum.
1979
At Westminister Abbey with husband Denis wearing a signature pussy bow blouse.
May 1979
Arriving at 10 Downing Street with husband Denis after being named the country’s first female Prime Minister.
October 1982
Making a speech at the annual Conservative Party Conference.
Photo By Rex Features
October 26 1982
In a button-front red dress and pearls while on an official visit to China.
Photo By Rex Features
June 9 1984
Giving a speech at the London Economic Summit in a floral dress.
Photo By PA Photos
November 1986
At Camp David – the country retreat of the President of the United States – with Ronald Reagan.
Photo By Rex Features
1988
In Washington with then US president Reagan during an official trip to the States.
October 1988
Meeting designer Zandra Rhodes in London.
November 15 1990
At her 10 Downing Street desk wearing signature pearls and a purple houndstooth jacket.
Photo By PA Photos
November 28 1990
Leaving 10 Downing Street for the last time with husband Denis.
Photo By PA Photos
April 10 1992
Leaving London’s Claridge’s Hotel following an event.
May 6 1994
Dressed in monochrome at the official opening of Waterloo International Station in London.
February 14 2003
At her home in Belgravia with husband Denis, who was returning from hospital following heart surgery.
November 1 2010
Returning to her London home after two weeks in hospital with ‘flu.
Photo By PA Photos
September 24 2011
The Baroness at a party inside London’s Admiralty House with Dr Liam Fox and his wife Jesme.
Photo By PA
October 13 2012
In a powder blue coat on her 87th birthday with son Mark and his wife Sarah.
Photo By Rex Features
Read more: Vogue
