How Britain’s ‘First Squeeze’ Carrie Symonds smartened up after partnering with Boris Johnson
WITH her demure frock, neatly coiffed hair and court shoes, we could be talking about the Duchess of Cambridge. But this week’s style icon is the latest “First Lady” or “First Squeeze” — Carrie Symonds.
Wearing a £120 bold print dress from High Street brand Ghost, the 31-year-old partner of new Prime Minister Boris Johnson began her political fashion campaign well — but she doesn’t always get it right.
As Boris took the keys to No10, former Tory PR whiz Carrie kept it chic and classy. The bright floral print made sure she stood out among the suits — and the midi-frock she wore sold out in less than 24 hours. So could the Carrie effect be about to grip the nation? Perhaps.
Gone are the old shaggy hairstyles and in are sleek, blow-dried tresses. There is also a distinct tweak in the colour. She is less of a brassy blonde and more of an on-trend br-onde. Some might say a more serious shade for a serious role. Carrie once loved bright red lips and harsh eyeliner but she has toned it down.
Yet it is her outfits that really need championing and Carrie’s love of more affordable fashion means we must salute her. With her accessible style, she has been spotted in clothes from High Street fave Karen Millen and & Other Stories, pairing them with Chelsea boots and patterned hairbands.
Nothing she has worn in public has cost more than £200, although there is a weakness for the odd designer handbag. Her off-duty style leaves room for improvement as she teamed a baggy tie-dye T-shirt with skin-tight jeans last month, highlighting her waif-like figure.
Pairing the outfit with clumpy heels, this was a significant “mid-transition” look, as if she couldn’t quite decide which Carrie she wanted to be. Fast forward three weeks and it seems she is fully submerged in the minefield of power-dressing.
Happy daze
IT’S not often you see a Tory leader’s other half going for hippie chic.
But Carrie, who describes herself as a conservationist, was seen in this season’s tie-dye fashion trend at the beginning of July.
However she didn’t create the Sixties-style pattern herself. The £23 t-shirt is from one of her favourite brands –Swedish retailer & Other Stories.
True blue
CARRIE was pictured in this navy crochet dress almost three years ago but the look would not be out of place in an office now.
With extra-brassy hair and harsher make-up, her look has certainly softened since this photo was taken in September 2016.
Wildly on trend
THE maroon leopard-print dress, left, which was chosen for the launch of Boris’s leadership bid in June, is near the top end of High Street style at £199.
She accessorised it with a contrasting leopard-print scrunchie worn casually on her wrist, and a Hermes bag worth about £3,000 – almost a woman of the people, but not quite.
And she loses style points for wearing black opaque tights in June.
Preppy chic
THIS was a preppy look for 2016, channelling a hint of Parisian chic in a Breton stripe skirt and navy jumper layered over a white shirt.
The pink trainers, backpack and ponytail added to the schoolish look – but Carrie has now grown out of the youthful faux uniform.
Added zest
CARRIE put a bit of zing into an otherwise muted look back in January by stepping out in a £69 citrus print dress from & Other Stories.
Again, she teamed the affordable piece with a classy black polo neck and Dior handbag, which gives a nod to her affluent background – both her parents were high-flying newspaper executives.
Lady of leather
DOWNING Street’s First Squeeze went hell for leather back in 2014.
But this shift dress had a high neckline and capped sleeves, which prevented it from looking too sexy.
Carrie set off the look with some stark red lippie.
Prim Minister
THE dress Carrie wore as Boris was welcomed into No10 on Wednesday quickly sold out.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
Its high neck, elbow-length sleeves and low hemline make it suitable for the Prime Minister’s other half.
But it is still bright and on-trend enough for the style-savvy 31-year-old.
Carrie teamed the £120 dress from Ghost with a pair of £85 nude court heels from John Lewis.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]