As storm clouds gather, the beleaguered Chancellor is in the pink (again and again), writes LAURA CRAIK

Most women would admit to having a favourite office look; an outfit that never fails to make them feel the part, especially when under pressure. Rachel Reeves is no different. Granted, the part she is playing – Chancellor of the Exchequer (for the moment at least) – is a heavy duty role but it hasn't gone unnoticed that she's been reaching for her go-to suit rather a lot recently. While the UK might be careening dangerously into the red, Reeves, 47, has resolutely been in the pink.  Giving a speech at the British Chambers of Commerce's global annual conference at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster Thursday, she wore a cropped pink blazer and matching wide-leg trousers that looked suitably summery for a city currently basking in 34C heat.  Both are by Marks & Spencer – though anyone trying to nab her look may be disappointed to learn that while the £65 linen-mix jacket is still in stock (and available in sizes 8 to 24) the £45 trousers are sold out. It's always tricky to dress for a heatwave and never more so than when you are in public office.  Which probably explains why Reeves opted for the same pink suit earlier in the week. Waiting alongside other members of the Labour Party to welcome Andy Burnham to Westminster on Monday, a thoughtful looking Reeves was front and centre. But the most hardworking suit in politics is not, it seems, only in demand when the mercury rises.  Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves (centre) with colleagues from the Parliamentary Labour Party in Westminster Hall at the Houses of Parliament in central London on June 22, 2026 Rachel Reeves reacts as she exits a car upon arrival in Downing Street in central London on May 13, 2026 Rachel Reeves during a visit to the site of the Universal theme park in Bedford June 3, 2026 Reeves also wore it to visit Universal UK Resort in Bedford on June 3, this time teaming it with a hi-vis vest and hard hat.  The same suit accompanied her to Paris, where she wore it at the G7 Summit on May 18, just five days after she was spotted wearing it en route to Downing Street. Perhaps Reeves received so many compliments that day, she was moved to wear it on four more subsequent occasions.  Or perhaps the heatwave has given her an acute case of fashion fatigue and she simply doesn't have the energy to put together any other outfits. With retailers suffering their biggest fall in sales for more than 40 years, Reeves' pledge to 'reinvigorate the High Street' may have failed.  But if her one-woman campaign to boost the fortunes of M&S fails, it won't be for lack of trying. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.