Nervous football fans across England are embracing ‘Waistcoat Wednesday’ this morning ahead of the national side’s momentous game against Croatia.
Everyone from officer workers to morning television presenters are donning sleeveless vests in anticipation of England’s first World Cup semi-final since 1990.
Celebrities such as Hugh Grant have tweeted to reveal that they are taking part, as have TV stars including Andrew Marr and Jeremy Vine.
The waistcoat has become a cult fashion item in England thanks to popular manager Gareth Southgate, who dons an M&S branded version on the sidelines of each game.
Gladstone, the resident Chief Mouser of HM Treasury at Whitehall, sports a tweed waistcoat in support of England tonight (left), while Hovis the therapy dog also got in on the action (right)
Everyone from officer workers to morning television presenters, and even farmers (pictured), are donning sleeveless vests in anticipation of England’s first World Cup semi-final since 1990
People’s pets are also getting involved in #waistcoatwednesday today, as the whole nation gears up for an exciting day of sport
British Airways staff get in the mood by donning waistcoats at check-in desks at Heathrow airport this morning
In fact the garment has proven to be such a hit that fans are struggling to get their hands on one, with stores up and down the nation selling out amid huge demand.
Even the Moscow branch of M&S has run out of nearly all sizes in Southgate’s waistcoat, which the retailer sells at £65.
England will face off against Croatia in Moscow at 7pm tonight, after sailing through their quarter-final clash with Sweden with a 2-0 win.
Among those to get into the spirit of #waistcoatwednesday were Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid.
The pair were even joined by all of the show’s crew members in donning a waistcoat, with Piers opting for a vest sporting a giant St George’s flag.
Piers said: ‘Southgate has got everyone wearing waistcoats. This is it! Come on Gareth! Come on Harry! We can do this.
‘Gareth Southgate has changed so much about this England team. He has done something really remarkable, these guys have become genuine role models. They have been such a credit to the country.’
Susanna added: ‘He such a hero. He melts everyone’s heart.’
These bunch of lads are all set for a big night watching the football, with just one more day at work to get through
Radio DJ Tony Blackburn (pictured) dons a waistcoat ahead of his stint on KMFM this morning
Among those to get into the spirit of #waistcoatwednesday were Good Morning Britain presenters Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid (pictured)
The waistcoat has become a cult fashion item in England thanks to popular manager Gareth Southgate, who dons an M&S branded version on the sidelines of each game
During the broadcast, the presenters cut to Lorraine Kelly ahead of her ITV morning show, and she too was wearing a waistcoat.
The Scottish TV presenter was grilled by Morgan over who she would be supporting in the game.
Kelly said: ‘I want to see an England-France final, that’ll be amazing.’
Asked who she would be supporting in that hypothetical game, Kelly said she would be rooting for England.
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole also shared his support for the England football team.
Nervous football fans across England are embracing ‘Waistcoat Wednesday’ this morning ahead of the national side’s momentous game against Croatia
The New Zealand dancer, who has lived in England for years with wife Zoe Hobbs, shared pictures of himself wearing a variety of waistcoats on Instagram.
He wrote: ‘COME ON ENGLAND!
Southgate became an unlikely style icon after donning the tailored navy waistcoat during all of England’s games, and M&S reported an initial 35 per cent spike in sales.
After discovering the item was only available in one size in his local branch of the store, an anxious Joshua Giles tweeted: ‘Doubt I can pull off this look in an XL.’
M&S soon replied, writing: ‘It’s been restocked in some of the sizes now Joshua. Hope you can pick one up!’
Southgate’s signature style has even inspired a charity drive, which is aiming to use the match to help raise funds for the blood cancer charity Bloodwise.
Gareth Southgate lookalike Neil Rowe is all set for the big game and is donning his lucky waistcoat in Moscow this morning
Unfashionable for decades, suddenly waistcoats are selling out thanks to Gareth Southgate… so here’s the tricks to get them right, whatever your gender
As England’s footballers lined up for their penalty shoot-out against Colombia last Tuesday, the temperature inside Moscow’s Spartak Stadium was a balmy 20 degrees.
Watching at home and perspiring like wildebeest, there was something so reassuring about the team’s unflappable manager Gareth Southgate, who remained on the touchline a Zen-like figure of calm.
His blue shirt remained devoid of any flecks of damp. His tie was affixed in a neat Windsor knot.
Trend setter: Gareth Southgate, Manager of England
Most of all though, it was that waistcoat which, in this tensest of situations, remained resolutely fastened.
That, my friends, is what I call style.
Waistcoats have had a rough ride over the last few years. They are to men what the beret is to women. Hard to pull off, oh so easy to ridicule.
But Gareth’s waistcoat is leading a resurgence. M&S, who provided the England team kit, say they’ve nearly run out of the £65 garment such has been the demand – and their other styles have seen huge spikes in sales.
Even the Moscow branch of M&S has run out of most sizes of the waistcoat.
And now there’s ‘Waistcoat Wednesday’ – a huge social media movement urging both sexes to wear waistcoats in support of England during the semi-final against Croatia. Hugh Grant has tweeted he’s taking part, as have presenters Andrew Marr and Jeremy Vine.
Why the waistcoat resurgence? It helps Gareth wears one properly – well-fitting (never baggy) and with the bottom button unfastened (don’t ask why, you just do).
But perhaps people feel they also in some way reflect this likeable young England side: They’re bold, innovative, endearing – a hark back to more genteel, civilised era.
So chaps, get rootling around your wardrobe to find that cast-off you wore several years ago to your mate’s wedding.
Now fasten it up – doesn’t that snug sensation around your front make you feel more muscular, more, dare I say it, manly?
Thanks to Gareth, waistcoats are cool and ripe for a comeback.
Bring ’em home, boys.