Party pieces: fashion at the Liberal Democrat conference

Badges bearing the faces of Liberal Democrat MPs are on sale in the shop. This is a sweet attempt at peddling politics to a younger generation. Shame your average 16-year-old has no idea who these middle aged men are Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Your archetypal delegate look, regardless of political creed. Beard? Check. Loud tie? Check. Head held aloft to the tune of rousing ideas? Check. Neighbour asleep? Probably Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Baroness Shirley Williams eat your heart out. As usual it's the women who uphold the glamour at conference. This Lib Dem lady's Liberty print coat might as well carry a badge saying 'independent thinker'. She's certainly outshining the grey suits on either side Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Now comes a paradigm shift towards the party's youth. Wielding an outfit to shock the retirees into submission, this party worker looks as though she has arrived straight from London fashion week Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

And here's another delegate eschewing the standard-issue business suit for a flash of colour. Looks like her top has scared off anyone from sitting nearby Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Some things will never change though. Here's deputy leader Vince Cable's tie Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

If you're not a natural suit wearer, why pretend you are when you're among friends? This Hawaiian shirt-clad gent is off to mingle with Bournemouth's surfers when the hobnobbing is over Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Oh no - another one. This time the owner of the hideous tie is Chris Huhne. Is he supporting a rugby team? Perhaps it's okay to have a mid-life fashion crisis if you miss out on leading your party - twice Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

These two bright sparks are channelling Party Animals' style: career-ascending white cotton shirt and power heels are offset by preppy paisley and a statement bag. Notice the clever trick beloved by twentysomethings - go everywhere in pairs and people are more likely to remember you Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Another style statement from the younger ranks - she's even jettisoned her delegate pass. Shame! Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Note to the Lib Dems' brand director (do they have one?): not the kind of bag the stylish delegates seen here are interested in carrying. Ever Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian

Another glimpse of those sandals, lest we get carried away and think politics will ever be truly fashionable Photograph: Martin Argles/Guardian