Mr Denard could look gentlemanly, smart in grey suits or his spurious colonel's uniform.

ECONOMIST: Bob Denard

Safety hosts - doormen - sport grey suits and slate grey polar necks.

BBC: Makeover for the men in black

Now here is the interesting challenge for the grey suits in Brussels.

ECONOMIST: European politics

It sees staff based at Slimbridge don grey crane suits and teach the birds to find food, swim, socialise and guard against predators.

BBC: Crane eggs arrive at Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Men have always been very good at grey: hair, suits and, ultimately, old-age personality.

WSJ: Tina Gaudoin on Style: Twenty Five Shades of You Know What��

Three decades ago, women in the business world practically had to hide the fact they were women wearing tailored suits, preferably black, grey or navy.

FORBES: Can 'Feminine' Women Make It To The Top?