Fashion at the Labour party conference

As always at conference time, generally speaking the women liven up events with some thoughtful styling, while the men rest on their suited laurels. Here Harriet Harman matches the sober suits of Darling, Mandelson, Johnson and Miliband, but outshines them in the accessories department with chunky pearls and statement specs Photograph: Andy Rain/EPA

Sarah Brown has had a sartorially successful conference. She started simply ... Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

... added a bold splash of pink ... Photograph: WPA Pool/Getty Images

... and built up to this abstract floral print dress, worn to introduce Gordon to the stage. The dress is by Erdem, the shoes by Jimmy Choo and the earrings by Astley Clarke Photograph: Carl De Souza/AFP/Getty Images

The only man who can give Sarah a run for her money in the fashion stakes is Peter Mandelson. Here he wears a pastel pink shirt, tieless and open-collared - almost unheard of at conference - lending him a devil-may-care air Photograph: Ray Tang/Rex Features

He certainly carries off pink better than Ed Miliband - but well done for trying, Ed Photograph: Dave Gadd/Allstar

Caroline Flint can always be relied upon to inject a bit of glamour into proceedings. We like the corsage detailing on her slate jacket Photograph: David Gadd/Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar

Glenys Kinnock works the Old Labour look with aplomb, dressed in head-to-toe red - right down to the necklace Photograph: Alastair Grant/AP

Tessa Jowell and Harriet Harman both opted for 'fun' animal prints, the female politician's shorthand for 'I've got a personality' Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Well, someone seems to like it, Harriet Photograph: Lefteris Pitarakis/AP

Margaret Beckett and Jacqui Smith have taken fashion advice from their favourite TV shows. Margaret is channelling Coronation Street's most glamorous older character, Rita, while Jacqui is straight out of the Trinny and Susannah school of style: a good bra and a V-neck Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Ben Bradshaw is a rare natty male dresser: here he teams neat pinstripes with a slim scarlet tie. We also spotted him sitting barefoot in his shirtsleeves on the grass, and strolling down the street with his jacket tossed insouciantly over one shoulder Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

Scotland's Jim Murphy and Iain Gray could be starring in a Persil ad as they 'relax' on Brighton beach Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

The leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, has mastered the art of dressing for the occasion. Here she wears a vintage-style teadress to a retro Brighton caff Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

And so to the delegates. There were two looks on display: pro-Labour ... Photograph: Oli Scarff/Getty Images

... and anti-Tory Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA