Outgoing British Prime Minister Tony Blair revealed Friday that he had
worn the same pair of shoes to his weekly question-and-answer session in
parliament since he became the country's leader.
The shoes in question -- an 18-year-old pair of hand-made leather
Brogues that have only been re-soled once -- were made by Church's in
Northampton, central England.
"I know it's ridiculous, but I've worn them for every PMQs (Prime
Minister's Questions) ... I've actually had them for 18 years," Blair told
The Times in an interview, adding that "cheap shoes are a false economy ."
According to a spokeswoman for Church's, a 134-year-old company, the
shoes Blair bought would have cost 150 pounds (225 euros, 300 dollars)
when he bought them, and cost about 290 pounds now.
Blair is due to officially resign as prime minister on Wednesday, and
will appear at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons for one
final time, likely in his lucky Brogues.