But just as the kaleidoscope of this weird election has painted Mr Clegg's relatively small advances in brighter colours, it has dulled Mr Cameron's much bigger ones.

ECONOMIST: The British election

While dirndls still give a nod to tradition with wide skirts, corsets and aprons, designers have given the outfit a modern twist with brighter colours, fresh design and a little extra room in the corset to allow for plenty of beer drinking.

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