Published on March 27, 2026
The recent sight of David Hockney wearing yellow Crocs at an Order of Merit meeting at Buckingham Palace caused a stir in the press. Crocs—in front of His Majesty!
As a man of style, King Charles took it all in his stride, commenting, “Your yellow galoshes! Beautifully chosen.” But how significant is it that such a striking choice of footwear should make such an impact? Is it because many of us are now wearing menswear that is dingy, dark, and dull; that we aren’t used to seeing displays of sartorial sassiness in men?
How often does what we wear reflect our personalities rather than simply an acquired look or trend?
The image of those attending the Order of Merit luncheon illustrates how men’s formal business wear is traditionally dark: black or dark blues predominate. This is nothing new. Since the early nineteenth century, most men have avoided color and bright patterns, a trend marked ’s choice of plain and sober clothing. Victorian men adopted darker hues to emphasize their serious, god-fearing, and industrious approach to life.
This trend continued into the twentieth century, and while the sixties signaled a temporary shift to color and pattern for the young, we seem to have returned to a period when both young and old prefer darker clothing, whether for formal or casual wear. Look at any high street, where drab hoodies, quilted coats, and jeans predominate. Perhaps this reflects the times; do we feel that there isn’t much to be cheerful about in the world at the moment, and does this show in our sober clothing choices?
Hockney’s outfit at the OM luncheon is a welcome change. He has chosen to dress in a way that is comfortable and still reflects his character and interests. While we may not all approve of the yellow Crocs, the lighter-colored check tweed suit is a style that many could adopt. Experimenting with patterned tweeds, bright knitwear, trousers in brighter hues, bold striped shirts, and pastel contrasting socks can provide much-needed relief from the monochrome madness.
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