All the other things that went through your mind when you saw that 'Legs-it' picture
And so to the picture of the hour: Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon seated side by side at a Brexit meeting in Glasgow (we think, though the purpose of their meeting has all but been forgotten in the ensuing to do about the picture itself and the controversial ‘Legs-it!’ headline that accompanied it). This is the PM and the First Minister of Scotland, the two most important politicians in the United Kingdom going about their daily business and yet…it’s hit the double-take spot and now – for at least the next twelve hours - it’s the Did You See picture.
We’re not talking Leathergate here (that picture of May in the expensive Amanda Wakeley trousers which also caused much rumpus and debate). We’re not even talking Cameron sockless in his black leather loafers on holiday, or Boris out running in his swimming trunks or Trump’s walnut whip hair on the steps of Airforce One (they have more of a comedy element going for them and Sturgeon and May’s photocall is neither funny or remarkable ).
But, still, there’s something about this picture that makes you linger a little longer than you normally would over an image of two politicians meeting.
It’s because it has the basic big three a picture needs to qualify for ongoing scrutiny. Adversaries in close proximity (tick). An ongoing style off (tick). And one or two revealing personal details. We like an image we can dissect, a picture that tells a story. And in this case there’s just enough to go on here. For example:
* Mirroring: as in reflecting each-other’s pose
Each of them has an elbow resting on the arm of the chair, hands clasped at the same angle and of course there’s some similarity in what they’re wearing. Some commentators have noted that both women are wearing navy jackets, and that Sturgeon’s navy skirt suit with white piping and her silvery white court shoes are as Scottish Saltire as you can get in one outfit. But what we’re noticing here is less a nationalistic theme than body positioning. They’re both sitting their ground, competing for who can look the most poised, confident and resolute. TM (who is not on home turf and rarely looks wholly relaxed) seems to have the edge here. Though she’s gone for the demure, finishing school seated position - knees locked, feet aligned -where Sturgeon has casually crossed her legs, May looks more at ease. Sturgeon looks just a bit too tightly wound, bristling with repressed energy, if not hostility.
*The legs
Women have legs, and if you are going to wear a skirt (in Sturgeon’s case) or a dress (in May’s) with a hem that, quite properly, hovers around knee level, then it will ride up a few inches when you sit and there will be some leg on show. Not too much, just the normal amount. The leginess of this image has been much commented on, which seems odd, because on an average day your average working woman wearing an average skirt length looks like this. Are they particularly proud of their pins and attempting to best each other in that department? No. They’re wearing the hemlength that works for them, and the alternative to that would be trousers. Indeed, yesterday, in her first appearance after Legs-it Mrs May joked: ‘You will notice I am wearing trousers. As a woman in politics throughout my whole career I have found very often, what I wear has been an issue that has been looked at rather closely by people..I think that most people concentrate on what we do as politicians. But if people want to have a bit of fun about how we dress, then so be it.”
* Their choice of tights
Shiny nudes, sheeny neutrals, or if you will, flesh with a hint of sparkle. If you’re a woman you look at this picture and think ‘sparkly nudes? I can’t remember what the occasion is for them, but I’m pretty sure it’s not a daytime meeting. Isn’t it more cocktail party/wedding? And, when I’m next considering them, should that day ever arise, must remember that too dark (May) and you look like you’ve had a St Tropez and forgotten to rub it off, and too light (Sturgeon) and you look a bit naked, and oily. You’ll also be probably be thinking, ‘tights in general at this time of year, Not Easy, when black (the only easy option) is starting to look witchy and wintery’.
* The bling factor
May has really ratcheted up the stakes bling wise. The pearls. The red nails. The stronger red lipstick, the sheenier tights, and, last but not least, those leopard print plus baubles kitten heels. Are they having a shoe off? Did Sturgeon wake up and think ‘TM will be doing her signature sassy shoes Damn Her so I’m going to go spikey and silvery white?’ We’ll never know, but what’s plain as day is that TM is the one who gets a lift from her shoes. She looks like the sort of person who might play it safe in most departments and by not doing so she wrong foots everyone (even Sturgeon on this occasion). In the ongoing debate about heels and sexism it’s worth noting that both these women believe in weaponising their footwear.
* The tension factor
When push comes to shove this picture is all about the perverse pleasure we get from watching two people at opposite ends of the spectrum being forced to occupy the same space and pretend they are perfectly comfortable with it. Never mind Legs –it. This is a perfect study in Manage-it. Smile and wave even if you feel a bit like screaming and telling them what you really think. We’ve all been there, let’s face it.
