Sir Keir Starmer and his wife, Lady Victoria, have recently accepted clothing donations to ensure they are well-presented while representing the UK, according to David Lammy. This comes in the wake of reports suggesting that Sir Keir might have violated parliamentary rules by failing to disclose clothing purchased for Lady Victoria by Labour donor Lord Waheed Alli.
During an interview, Lammy indicated that other nations allocate generous taxpayer-funded budgets for the wardrobes of their leaders, emphasizing, “US presidents and first ladies have a huge budget, paid for by the taxpayer, so that they look their best on behalf of the US people.”
However, this claim is misleading, as the US First Lady does not have a designated clothing budget, and many have voiced their frustrations regarding the financial demands of maintaining a fashionable image while in office.
Understanding the Rules for Dressing Leaders on the Global Stage
In several countries, taxpayers contribute towards living costs for governmental leaders, which can extend to wardrobe expenses. For instance, US presidents have an expenses budget of approximately $50,000, in addition to their annual salary of $400,000, which can include clothing expenditures.
Conversely, the First Lady of the United States does not receive any fixed salary or specific expenses budget. Despite this, the fashion choices of First Ladies often face intense scrutiny.
Examples include Melania Trump’s controversial Zara jacket with the phrase “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” during a visit to a migrant detention center, and Michelle Obama’s impressive scarlet dress during her meeting with former Chinese President Hu Jintao.
Many First Ladies have remarked that they typically pay for their own clothing. In her 2010 memoir, Laura Bush expressed her surprise at the number of designer outfits she felt obligated to purchase to meet the fashion standards expected of a First Lady.
“After our first year in the White House, our accountant mentioned to George that it was costly to be president, mainly referring to my clothing,” she wrote.
Michelle Obama’s press secretary clarified in 2014 that, “Mrs. Obama pays for her clothing,” emphasizing a common practice among First Ladies. While they can accept gifts of clothing often presented on behalf of the government, the cost of designer dresses can be exorbitant.
“For events of public or historic significance, the First Lady’s clothing may be independently gifted by designers,” added the press secretary.
The Smithsonian Museum acknowledges the dress worn by Jill Biden during her husband’s 2021 inauguration as a donation by designer Alexandria O’Neil, demonstrating the support designers extend to First Ladies.
In contrast, Melania Trump’s inaugural dress, designed by Hervé Pierre, appears to have been a personal donation from her, likely because she purchased it herself.
In the UK, Sarah Brown, spouse of former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, has commented on the challenging nature of accepting gifts while in Downing Street, stating in her 2011 book, “Behind the Black Door,” that numerous designers are eager to offer their clothes for free.
However, ethics issues arise regarding MPs and their spouses using their positions for personal gain. She elaborated on a solution she devised with No10 advisers, allowing her to “rent” clothing while purchasing the items she wished to keep.
Global Perspectives on Leader Attire
In various nations, spouses of world leaders tend to depend on donations for their clothing needs. France’s Brigitte Macron, for instance, does not have an official state-funded clothing budget and is believed to borrow outfits from prestigious fashion houses like Louis Vuitton.
Her office reportedly archives which outfits are donated versus those that she owns. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron faced backlash over extravagant expenses, including nearly €4,000 spent on a business-class seat to fly two suits to Brazil.
Germany has seen significant criticism surrounding expenditures on personal grooming, with €450,000 allocated to hairstylists, makeup artists, and photographers within just the first half of 2023, though no specific clothing fund seems to exist.
Responding to Lammy’s remarks, a Foreign Office representative declined to delve further into the matter. Downing Street has stated regarding the clothing donations: “We sought advice from the authorities upon taking office. We believed we were fully compliant, but have since updated our disclosures following further inquiries.”
