#WaistcoatWednesday: England fans suit up ahead of FIFA World Cup 2018 semifinal

International Friendly - England vs Nigeria - Wembley Stadium, London, Britain - June 2, 2018 England manager Gareth Southgate REUTERS/David Klein

LONDON: The mission? To support England’s bid to win a first World Cup since 1966. The method? To wear a waistcoat for Wednesday’s semi-final match against Croatia.

It might sound a stretch, but some England fans want matchday in Moscow dubbed ‘Waistcoat Wednesday’ in tribute to manager Gareth Southgate, who has taken to wearing a waistcoat on the touch-line along with suit trousers and a dress shirt and tie.

Around a dozen England fans travelling to Moscow on Tuesday for the match wore dark blue waistcoats over their T-shirts as they passed through Heathrow airport, witnesses said.

Rachel Burden

Outside the #Luzhniki for #WorldCupBreakfast with full on #WaistcoatWednesday @bbc5live pic.twitter.com/CxFAnh38IM

— Rachel Burden (@rachelburden) July 11, 2018

Neil Green

Dear Gareth will this do ? It's 4:45am, Matalan and TK Max turned me away but alas the father-in-law said i could wear his. I accept its twice the size it should be & I look like i've not been well recently but it is early! #WaistcoatWednesday Good Luck England pic.twitter.com/s9ZJ2JHVsl — Neil Green (@greenyfrom6am) July 11, 2018

Bloodwise

Well done #England!

For the semi-final on Wednesday, why not wear a waistcoat to show your support for Gareth’s team and help beat blood cancer?

Find out how to take parthttps://t.co/XQ9qrt48nh #WaistcoatWednesday #ENGSWE pic.twitter.com/Ocb7H0E4FK — Bloodwise (@bloodwise_uk) July 7, 2018

Sales of waistcoats have soared in Britain since the start of the tournament last month, according to one retailer. “Gareth’s sideline style has meant our waistcoats are really scoring with our customers, with sales doubling since the World Cup began,” said a spokeswoman for retailer Marks & Spencer.

Perhaps it’s inevitable that there’s a hashtag and it’s #WaistcoatWednesday. Nothing else would suit.