Why budgie smugglers are burned on our brains

From Tony Abbott’s swimwear to Donald Trump’s magnificent mane, sometimes, politicians are known for more than their policies.

From Tony Abbott’s swimwear to Donald Trump’s magnificent mane, sometimes, politicians are known for more than their policies.

Some politicians, like gifted orator US President Barack Obama, are known for their words. Some, such as Paul Keating, who floated the dollar, for their deeds.

But only a few leaders are in the unique position where an unusual object, or even a barely noticed gesture, defines them.

If an image speaks a thousand words, some pollies can convey a whole library without saying a word.

It will be many decades before a pair of red swimmers doesn’t instantly remind us of a former prime minister. But what leaders do Britons instantly remember when shown a black handbag? And which politician now owns the power sunglasses look?

Tony Abbott and his budgie smugglers

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott gave us so many symbols , there were the blue ties and the increasing number of Australian flags that accompanied every announcement.

Where other politicians used sharp suits to disguise their softly ample frames, Abbott’s famous budgie smugglers were more about his lack of clothing showcasing his physique. If he was determined enough to keep his torso tight, the message seemed to be, the mind is in top form too.

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Margaret Thatcher and her black handbag

One of the world’s first female world leaders, the iron lady was never without her handbag of steel. Prime Minister during some of the darkest days of the cold war, her trusty black bag would be forever at her side, whether she was waltzing with Reagan in Washington of gasbagging with Gorbachev in Moscow.

So fearsome an accessory was it, the term ‘to handbag’ entered the Oxford English Dictionary. Talking to CNN, Thatcher remarked, “Of course, I am obstinate in defending our liberties and our law. That is why I carry a big handbag.”

Angela Merkel and her diamond

Not a jewel but a unique hand gesture from the German Chancellor

With thumb against thumb and index fingers touching, the resultant shape – held at stomach height – makes a perfect diamond. Known by some as the “triangle of power” due to Merkel’s leading role in world affairs, in her home country it’s commonly known as the Merkel-Raute or “Merkel’s rhombus”.

It’s now become her trademark symbol with her political party even adopting the symbol on social media. Although some have pointed out the hand gesture is also used by none other than the Simpson’s dastardly Mr Burns.

Hillary Clinton and her sunglasses

It’s one of the most memorable sights of former first lady and presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton. Deep in thought, mobile phone in hand, eyes hidden by some serious power sunglasses. It’s an image that says I’m the one in control here, don’t mess with me, I have the launch codes.

Donald Trump and his quiff

It’s been likened to a golden ski slope, an ear of corn and even a cresting wave.

At times Trump’s quiff seems so thin and fragile that it’s barely there at all. Then a gust comes his way and Trump’s luscious locks take flight. With the Republican nomination all but guaranteed, we’ll be seeing a lot more of the presidential candidate’s hair in the coming months.

Winston Churchill and his V sign

Chomping on a cigar, arm outstretched, fingers splayed in a V sign, it became one of the well-known symbols of Britain’s most famous wartime leader. But Churchill didn’t invent the V sign at all.

Rather Belgium’s then minister of justice, Victor de Laveleye, first encouraged his citizens to adopt the hand gesture in 1941 which then spread across the Channel to England..

Despite the internet being decades away, the gesture effectively went viral and by the time World War II finally came to an end, V signs echoed from Downing St to the far corners of the globe.

Bob Hawke and his Australia jacket

It could hardly be called a fashion statement but as a sign of patriotism you couldn’t go past Prime Minister Bob Hawke and his Australian flag emblazoned jacket.

Making its debut in 1983, when Australia won the America’s Cup, it became a symbol of Hawke’s larrikinism.

Resplendent in the red white and blue of his jacket, Hawke beamed through the celebrations, clearly having a ball. He even had time to crack a one-liner that went down in the history books when he said, “any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum”.

Justin Trudeau and his pecs

We get it, the Canadian Prime Minister is a serious politician. He has in-depth policies on economic growth, healthcare and infrastructure. But if he will keep getting his pecs out, surely we can be forgiven for our eyes, on occasion, sashaying to that chest. And when he insists on doing one armed press ups, as he did recently in a video to promote the upcoming Invictus Games, is it our fault our minds stray from fiscal management? We are but human.

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