It’s official: G8 dress code is smart casual

The G8 summit has a smart-casual dress code, according to Britain's chancellor George Osborne who was defending his Prime Minister greeting world leaders in his rolled-up shirtsleeves.

David Cameron dispensed with his tie and jacket yesterday as he formally welcomed the rest of the group to a luxury golf resort beside Lough Erne in Co Fermanagh

Taoiseach Enda Kenny, attending as part of Ireland's current holding of the European Union presidency, sported a light blue check sports jacket and open necked shirt.

It was in contrast to darker jackets worn by other leaders, but Mr Kenny's get up was a far cry from the then taoiseach Bertie Ahern's lemon ensemble when he attended a G8 meeting in Savannah, Georgia in 2004.

Mr Kenny was heard joking yesterday about Mr Ahern’s wardrobe malfunction, saying: “I forgot the yellow trousers today”.

Mr Osborne was asked about the casual look as he arrived today to take part in discussions today about tax and appeared on television without his own tie.

But he insisted the “informal” nature of G8 gatherings was one of their strengths.

“Basically I am doing what I was asked to do, which is turn up in smart-casual wear,” he told BBC Breakfast.

“I have followed to the letter: I got out my jacket and my blue shirt.”

Mr Osborne said he had been struck — at what is his first visit to a G8 meeting - by the apparent informality.

“Despite the fuss that goes with having a conference like this, in spite of the huge media presence, actually when you get into the hotel it’s quite intimate and informal.

“This is actually an extraordinary opportunity to get things done where perhaps when things are more formal and people are in more entrenched positions that’s more difficult.”

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