Making sense of Theresa May's fashion sensibilities

Britain's Home Secretary Theresa May leaves 10 Downing Street after attending a cabinet meeting. Photo / AP

According to Google trends, searches for information on incoming British prime minister Theresa May have spiked over the past week.

It's to be expected, May is about to take the reins of a post-Brexit vote nation in desperate need of guidance and unification.

But May's political abilities aren't the only thing she is being judged on, as searches regarding May's shoes have leapt in numbers.

British tabloids have published articles largely focusing on May's fashion sense rather than her political sensibilities.

Following David Cameron's announcement that May would take over his position, The Sun published an unmissable front page.

The central image is victorious, with May trampling on the "boys" such as Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage, whose muddle of British parliament reached epic proportions.

Featuring her leopard print heels and the pun "heel boys", the image struck a chord with many readers who labelled the focus on May's fashion sense sexist.

Here is tomorrow morning's front page. pic.twitter.com/sX32Xe2HG7

— The Sun (@TheSun) July 11, 2016

Some commenters on the coverage pondered the relevance of May's choice of shoe and whether or not it should have been something voters considered about Cameron.

@TheSun at what point do shoes matter in Politics? I don't recall any front page spread about Cameron's fashionable footwear

— Jo (@feenjo) July 11, 2016

Becky Horrocks questioned whether or not the newspaper was aware of its responsibilities as a publication.

her shoes? Really? It's 2016 and you think that is appropriate and responsible reporting? I find it offensive.

— Becky Horrocks (@becshorrocks) July 12, 2016

The Mirror has also published stories about May's "passion for fashion" and her "kitten heels".

"She reminds me of a batty old auntie who doesn't care what people think of what she wears," Mirror columnist Didi Danso commented on May, labelling her look "refreshing".

The obsession with Theresa May's shoes is just plain weird.

— Tony Barrett (@TonyBarrett) July 11, 2016

In case you were in the dark on May's political abilities, Cameron assured "She is strong, she is competent, she's more than able to provide the leadership the country is going to need in the years ahead, and she will have my full support."