A selection of sober suits worn by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher when she was rising to power during the 1970s go under the hammer at Christie's today.

Above: Six of the seven outfits being sold by Christie's as part of its 'London' sale.

The seven lots, which include the navy suit Thatcher wore when she was nominated as Conservative party leader and a pearlescent "Coktail Ensemble", are each expected to fetch between £1,000 to £1,500.

Thatcher discussed one of her favourite outfits, a yellow and navy jacket and skirt (pictured above, top centre), in an 1978 interview with The Birmingham Evening Mail.

The interviewer wrote: "[Thatcher] delights in showing me a smart navy-edged-with-yellow Mansfield dress and jacket. 'I got this in 1973 when Princess Margaret came to the Ministry. But it's still ‘best’.'

The writer adds: "She shows me the hem she's let down herself. [Thatcher said:] 'It wasn't the sort of thing I dare trust to anyone else to do. My mother was a dressmaker.'"

Above: The jade green "pussycat bow" suit Thatcher wore when she was confirmed as Prime Minister in 1975

The sale marks the last day of a summer auction to celebrate "all things British", which included an old Routemaster bus, vintage prints and Victorian antiques.

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Words: Anna Pollitt. Images: Rex Features/Christie's