Football fans are getting into the matchday spirit by donning waistcoats in tribute to England manager Gareth Southgate.
Now, as England prepare for the first World Cup semi-final since 1990 fans are showing off their versions of the M&S attire the England boss has been wearing throughout the tournament.
The craze has united people who didn’t even consider themselves football fans a few weeks ago, buoyed by England’s progress in Russia.
me two weeks ago: ugh when is the world cup over i don’t even care about football
me today: good morning to everyone wearing a waistcoat in solidarity with our great and wise leader who is intent on bringing it home
— Emma Blackery (@emmablackery) July 11, 2018
And even those who didn’t own waistcoats.
Never owned a waistcoat, genuinely considering getting one today. #WaistcoatWednesday #ENG
— WeAreQPRTV (@WeAreQPRTV) July 11, 2018
Off to buy myself a Waistcoat! #WorldCup #ENG #ENGCRO #Southgate #WaistcoatWednesday #ItsComingHome
— chris blumer (@chrisblumer1) July 11, 2018
In York, little 11-week-old Benjamin was resplendent in a mini waistcoat and knitted “tie”.
There’s even been waistcoats made into cakes in support of the charity Bloodwise UK, which funds research into blood cancer.
Baking efforts for tomorrow’s #WaistcoastWednesday in aid of @bloodwise_uk! Top tip: waistcoat is a difficult shape to carve out of icing… I’m sure they’ll still taste good though🤞 pic.twitter.com/0LaHnZbvaW
— Emma Victoria Brown (@chattrboxie) July 10, 2018
The charity is encouraging people getting in on the sartorial trend ahead of the game to make a donation.
It's #WaistcoatWednesday! ⚽️🏠🦁🦁🦁
Text WAISTCOAT to 70800 to give £5 towards lifesaving blood cancer research. T&Cs apply >>> https://t.co/hx90Q92bnR pic.twitter.com/7LpuxDU2ho
— Bloodwise (@bloodwise_uk) July 11, 2018
In honour of #WaistcoatWednesday we are asking you to don a waistcoat and text WAISTCOAT to 70800 to donate £5 to @bloodwise_uk and help beat blood cancer. Here’s mine & I think you’ll agree it’s a very strong look! #ItsComingHome #ENGCRO #GarethSouthgate pic.twitter.com/Y5SzXkmweA
— George Rainsford (@georgerainsford) July 11, 2018
#WaistcoatWednesday #itscominghome text waistcoat to 70800 to donate £5 to #bearsagainstbloodcancer I mean @bloodwise_uk pic.twitter.com/4UeMknZfik
— Gemma Peters (@gemmapeters) July 11, 2018
Celebrities, writers, journalists and more are backing the national side by wearing a waistcoat.
Same bear, new look #WaistcoatWednesday
All the best to Gareth and the boys @England#ENG #ENGCRO #ItsComingHome pic.twitter.com/qLocGukKJa
— BBC Children in Need (@BBCCiN) July 11, 2018
It had to be done. Waistcoat Wednesday coming up. Come on England! ⚽️🏴⚽️🏴⚽️🏴⚽️ pic.twitter.com/1BHK9k9Yza
— PJ Skinner (@PJSkinnerAuthor) July 10, 2018
It’s wall-to-wall waistcoats here on @GMB as our crew get behind #WaistcoastWednesday as well today! #ItsComingHome #ComeonEngland pic.twitter.com/DSF2RrsfxB
— Charlotte Hawkins (@CharlotteHawkns) July 11, 2018
Not everyone was quite backing Waistcoat Wednesday though. A typo in a few early tweets sent two phrases into Twitter’s top trends – Waistcoat Wednesday was joined, and surpassed, by Waistcoast Wednesday. Perhaps a breezier version.
I'm really upset about #waistcoastwednesday. Can't @Twitter show #waistcoatwednesday as trending and lump all the misspelling deviants in with those who aren't confusing clothing with shorelines?
— Nina Seale (@hirundonova) July 11, 2018
Here’s to Waistcoat Sunday, right?