Just how dishevelled is BoJo?

London Mayor Boris Johnson is famed for his dishelevelled appearance, his apparent disarray as always been his visual signature. But I have wondered whether it actually is a contrivance, or based on a more compelling desire for comfort over presentation.

A week ago I was on assignment to document his first big speech for the campaign for the UK to leave the EU at the referendum in June. During a few moments of looking around I noticed his shoes.

You don’t fake that. Boris wants to be comfortable.

Boris Johnson's shoes — London Mayor, Boris Johnson, gave his first big speech on leaving the EU at a logistics warehouse in Dartford. His shoes suggest that his unkempt manner is based on comfort.
Photo: © Michael Cockerham 2016

2 responses to “Just how dishevelled is BoJo?”

Hutch

January 17, 2021

A lovely photo Michael. A pair of old shoes can really convey so much character can’t they. Probably why Van Gogh painted so many paintings featuring just a pair of old worn out shoes. They may look comfortable, however when it pours with rain, those holes will let the water in. Not very practical for wading through puddles in the rain in London.
Michael Cockerham

January 18, 2021

Thank you for the comment. Not practical at all in the rain, I agree. But if you spend all day on your feet walking, they might be more practical than they appear – just need to avoid the puddles.

Just how dishevelled is BoJo?

2 responses to “Just how dishevelled is BoJo?”

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