Gareth Southgate waistcoat causes sales surge of item thanks to England World Cup outfit

Gareth Southgate, 47, has become an unlikely fashion icon thanks to his style choices during the World Cup.

The England manager has worn a waistcoat for his team’s appearances during the tournament, and men across the country have taken note.

Official suit supplier to the England team, Marks & Spencer, have said demand for waistcoats has risen 35 per cent thanks to “the Gareth Southgate effect”.

Fans of Southgate’s entire look can snap it up from M&S for £265, with the tie costing a further £25.

The waistcoat is £65 on its own.

Even better, the suits are made of merino wool woven by the Alfred Brown mill in Yorkshire, meaning purchases support British manufacturing.

Fans of Southgate’s look have flocked to Twitter to praise the manager.

One wrote: “I have just ordered a waistcoat #southgatestyle”.

Another said: “Is it slightly wrong to have a crush on #GarethSouthgate? Must be the waistcoat.”

And one gushed: “Almost surprising myself with the depth of affection I’m developing for Gareth Southgate. I think it’s partly due to that darling little waistcoat he wears. Not all men can pull off a waistcoat.”

England fans had every reason to celebrate last night as the team won against Colombia, meaning they have reached the quarter finals.

Sweden will play England on Saturday, and whoever wins will head on to the semi-finals.

Speaking after last night’s thrilling match, Southgate said: “Fantastic. I think we deserved it as well.

“We played so well in the 90 minutes, we showed resilience to come back from huge disappointment and kept calm. It’s huge credit to all our players and staff.

“Shoot-outs are tough. We had talked long and hard about owning the process of a shoot-out. They kept calm. The players have taken it all on board, it’s a special moment for us.

“We looked at technique, how we needed to be as a team, the goalkeeper’s role. A special moment but now I’m thinking about Sweden.

“This was special but I want us to go on. Sweden is another team we have a poor record against. We have underestimated them for years.

“We didn’t rise to it which was brilliant, in general. A couple of times we lost our cool. It was an away game, to deal with it all was exceptional.

“They have created their own story and made history. I don’t want to go home yet.”

England V Sweden is at 3pm on Saturday 7 July.