Pope Francis’s funeral saw leaders from around the world turn out to pay their last respects in Vatican City. As with many funerals, there was a sombre dress code of black suit, black tie and white shirt for men while women were advised to dress in long, black dresses with gloves and a veil.

But a few leaders didn’t follow the code, including US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky, who wore a black jacket, black shirt and trousers, but no tie. It’s well-known that Mr Zelensky dresses in a style reminiscent of a military uniform to remind the world his country is at war.

He did so during a meeting with Mr Trump and his Vice President JD Vance at the White House in February when his clothes drew criticism from Brian Glenn, who reports for US media outlet, Real America’s Voice and is the boyfriend of Mr Trump’s firebrand ally Marjorie Taylor Greene.

Mr Glenn quizzed Mr Zelensky over his choice of clothes, asking: “Why don’t you wear a suit? You’re at the highest level in this country’s office, and you refuse to wear a suit. Do you own a suit?” The questions appeared designed to humiliate the Ukrainian president, who hit back.

Ukraine‘s leader replied: “I will wear costume after this war will finish. Maybe something like yours, maybe something better. We will see, maybe something cheaper.”

One of Mr Zelensky’s clothing brands is Damirli. A designer for the company, Elvira Gasanova, explained the president’s reasoning in an interview with Politico.

She said: “When world leaders see Zelensky in military style, it is a signal – ‘Ukraine is at war and I am part of this fight’.

“A persistent call to return to the suit is a de facto demand to return to the usual format of political dialogue, which means ‘enough of war, sit down at the negotiating table’.”

Ms Gasanova added that during the war Mr Zelensky is not just a politician, but the supreme commander of the army and civilians under martial law.

The designer added: “The classic suit would be perceived as a detachment from the reality of the front. And his clothes help him to keep the world’s attention on the war in Ukraine.”

While Mr Zelensky’s funeral attire may have raised some eyebrows, Mr Trump managed to veer from the sartorial script as well.

He caused a stir by dressing in a blue suit and was easily identifiable among the many mourners dressed in black.

Despite their differences in style and funeral garb, the two leaders did find time to meet each other on the sidelines of the funeral in St Peter’s Basilica, in their first face to face since their tense Oval Office meeting.

Images of the encounter inside the Vatican showed the two leaders locked in intense discussion in their fraught White House clash in late February.

The US president turned his criticism towards Russian President Vladimir Putin after the meeting in Rome.

In a post on his Truth Social website, he suggested Mr Putin maybe “doesn’t want to stop the war”, and that the Russian leader could be “just tapping” him along.

Mr Zelensky described it as a “good” meeting, adding: “We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out.

“Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you.”

Shoppers are seizing the opportunity to update their spring wardrobes with chic pieces from Boden, as the high-end high street retailer has cut prices on a range of items. The limited-time sale includes everything from dresses to skirts and flattering trousers, all reduced by simply using the code KN4H at checkout.

This 25% off code applies to new-in items and sale items, offering shoppers significant savings.

The Flora Cord Midi Shirt Dress has been reduced by more than £60, now priced at an impressive £49.50, down from its original price of £110. It’s currently still available in sizes four through to 22, and in petite, regular, and long, but we predict that these huge price reductions mean sizes won’t be around for long.

However, customers lucky enough to snag the Flora dress are thrilled, saying they “adore this dress” and “keep getting compliments when wearing it”, reports Nottinghamshire Live.

Those who miss out on the deal might consider the Dark Wash Denim Graceland Midi Shirt Dress from Nobody’s Child. It shares a similar style to the Boden dress and is also on sale for £66, reduced from £110.

Marks and Spencer’s £35 Printed Midi Relaxed Dress is a popular pick for its blend of style and comfort. Customers rave about the dress’ striking monochrome floral pattern, describing it as “good quality and very comfortable.”

Boden’s Flora Cord Midi Shirt Dress is available in three stylish colours and prints – blue, cream and a trendy leopard option. The blue and cream are now less than £50, while the leopard print is slightly more expensive at £56.70 in the sale.

The versatile shirt dress is made from 99% cotton for comfort, with 1% elastane allowing for some stretch.

The timeless design is winning over customers. Some have described it as their “new favourite” for its versatility and practicality. One shopper commented: “I love that Boden uses functional pockets. I was very busy yesterday, and it was easy to just put my phone in my pocket without worrying about it falling. I also worried the closure at the bottom would reveal too much leg when I walked or sat, but it’s just the right amount. Functional but modest closure. This dress is very well made and I like the mid-weight of the fabric.”

Echoing the sentiment, another reviewer celebrated the dress’ effortless elegance: “I bought this dress in a blue size 10 which fits perfectly. It is very flattering. I love the shape round the waist much simpler than having a tie belt. Thank you Boden!”

With spring’s fickle weather, finding apparel that adapts is key, an issue addressed by the Flora dress according to one fan: “I absolutely love this dress. It is such a flattering colour and fit, stylish and comfortable to wear. I bought a size bigger than I normally wear so there is no straining of buttons at the waist. The perfect dress for between seasons.”

The Flora dress from Boden also makes waves for its flattering fit. One buyer sais: “The reviews all said comfortable and slimming. So I tried it, not really believing it, and was wowed. It really is slimming! My usual size 16 was a bit of a firm fit so I went up to 18 and it’s perfect.”

Another fan highlighted the confidence boost the dress provided, stating: “This dress is brilliant in that it is flattering for my post menopausal changing body shape, easy to wear and so comfortable. I feel so confident when I am wearing it. I am desperate to buy another one as I think I will live in this dress as it can be worn to so many places (dress up or down), but they are all sold out. Like another reviewer asked, please Boden make some more in other colours and patterns.”

Not all feedback was glowing; one customer experienced disappointment with the Flora dress’ hue and sizing issues. They shared: “Disappointed that the dress wasn’t as bright a blue as it looks online. It is actually more a denim blue colour. Sadly this was too tight on my upper arms but more than generous everywhere else so sizing up would have drowned me. I ordered a size 10. Unfortunately sending it back.”

However, some shoppers have expressed their love for the dress, stating it’s “a dream to wear” and will “definitely get a lot of wear”. Those who want to grab this dress for less than £50 have a limited time to do so in the Boden sale, by using the code KN4H at checkout.

Marks and Spencer shoppers are loving the fashion retailer’s latest addition to its denim collection. The High Waisted Slim Flare Cropped Jeans are perfect for spring/summer, and some buyers are so impressed that they’re buying them in more than one colour. Priced at £39.50, they are available in three shades; light indigo, medium indigo and soft white.

The jeans are a slim fit and come in sizes six to 22 in short/petite, regular and long. They have a stylish flare at the ankle and a flattering high waist with a button and zip fastening, plus belt loops. M&S says the jeans are ‘a versatile addition to your casual wardrobe’. 

The High Waisted Slim Flare Cropped Jeans will pair beautifully with t-shirts, shirts, blouses and camisole tops throughout the warmer months. Add sandals or trainers for a casual look, or pair with wedged heels for an evening occasion in the sunshine. 

Shoppers wanting to browse more cropped jeans may be interested in Roman’s Wide Leg Stretch Cropped Denim Culottes. They cost £36 and are available in 10 colours in sizes 10 to 20, however they only come in one length.

Elsewhere, Next is selling Crop Wide Leg Jeans priced at £30 that are available in two shades of blue. They come in sizes six to 20 in petite, regular and long lengths.

The High Waisted Slim Flare Cropped Jeans are part of the M&S Collection; easy-to-wear wardrobe staples that combine classic and contemporary styles. The new jeans have already earned an impressive overall rating of 4.9 out of five stars on the M&S website. 

An impressed shopper wrote: “Really happy with my cropped jeans. Great fit and love the flared bottoms.”

“Perfect pair of jeans,” commented a second happy customer. “Fits perfectly and feels super comfortable. Just ordered another pair in light blue. Well done M&S.”

Another delighted buyer said: “Great slim flared jeans. Purchased the white and love them… They have a 60s vibe which I love. Not washed yet but if they’re anything like my other pairs of M&S jeans, they’ll wash well. Delighted with my purchase.”

Sadly one M&S shopper was unimpressed with the length of the short/petite jeans, as they explained: “Lovely style and weight but extra short too long for me at 5ft1 and [with] short legs. Such a shame, but most extra short are too long for me.” 

However, someone else disagreed, as their five-star review reads: “Love these jeans, beautifully soft and fit brilliantly. I’m 5ft5 but bought the short, as M&S trousers are always too long. I wanted these to actually look cropped as they are supposed to, and they do. Being high-waisted they sit nicely without having to keep pulling them up.”