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Politicians Sporting 'Flood Chic' - Who Gets Your Vote?

Politicians Sporting 'Flood Chic' - Who Gets Your Vote?
Paul Vale and Elliot Wagland
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Flood chic - today Somerset, tomorrow the catwalks of Milan, next week the shiny pages of Vogue. Britain’s soggy politicians have been pioneering a new look, a stylish parade of rich white men surveying the flooded counties of southern England.

Is it fashion or is it art? Of course it's both, as the big Westminster beasts (and Nigel Farage) strut a watery promenade bedecked in wellingtons, overcoats and high-visibility couture (seemingly borrowed from "one of those labourer types").

Here we present a simple vote: Which of these well-groomed men is the most modish in their flood-drenched garb?

The Best Of Flood Chic
(01 of08)
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A nod to the 'shabby', the Deputy PM looked resplendent in faded jeans and a black fleece, while the tones of the top and trousers were heightened by the accent of the green wellingtons. See how Clegg draws attention to the line of the trouser during his visit to Burrowbridge in Somerset with an open-legged gait and some 'collar-up' bravado. (credit:PA)
(02 of08)
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Classic, refined, serious. Prime Minister David Cameron opted for the oft-popular green wellingtons, dark pantalon and a collared fleece for a visit to Staines-upon-Thames. (credit:PA)
(03 of08)
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Ed Miliband struck an elegant but serious tone with fireplace black wellingtons, dark action-slacks and an all-purpose sports coat revealing unbuttoned shirt collar during a visit to Purley on Thames in Berkshire. Labour's Parliamentary Candidate for Reading West, Victoria Groulef, opted for a more playful visual with child's wellington boots, black leggings and a quilted coat. Her red leather gloves provide a contrast to black drain water under foot. (credit:PA)
(04 of08)
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Owen Paterson proved losing your house to flooding can't also be fun by surveying the Northmoor Pumping Station in Somerset with his patterned black and silver tie worn on the outside of his coat. The blue cotton shirt adds a more formal note to the Minister's attire. (credit:PA)
(05 of08)
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The black Wellingtons say practicality, but the brown corduroy trousers say danger. This daring creation from Prince Charles is topped with a sturdy hunting jacket, with colour co-ordinated collars - a small detail much appreciated by the locals of the flood-hit communities in the Somerset. (credit:PA)
(06 of08)
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Workman's jacket atop country jacket, the latter kept in place by a single button, clearly a nod to Elizabeth Hurley's famous Versace dress. The blue suit trouser flows elegantly into the top of the patterned Wellington boot, while the tie sits eagerly to the right of Mayor's shapely neck.
(07 of08)
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Three shades of green give Nigel Farage's ensemble a solidity, while the country hat screams of the British (not European) countryside. This sartorial behemoth was spotted wading through the flooding at Chertsey earlier this week. (credit:Getty Images)
(08 of08)
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A gift to fashion designers around the world, Eric Pickles shows of his clothes-horse physique in this high-visibility jacket, browning trousers and dark green boot. Note how the colour of Eric's britches match the Croydon sandbags. (credit:Rex)
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