Charles Fox was also a leader of fashion early on and after a tour of Europe brought back to London the extravagant male fashions then popular at the French court - frilly lace, brocade, cosmetics, red heels etc. This was the costume of the 'Macaroni's' and at nineteen Fox was the acknowledged leader of this group. In fact physically he was not much of a specimen to be parading in such - he was corpulent, graceless, clumsy and rather unaestehtic. But he was jovial, charming, intelligent easy going and ebullient which made him much sought after company. His campaign for Westminster in 1784 was a famous occassion, it was the first time that a woman had been active in electioneering, for Fox recruited The Duchess and her sister and friends to assist him to catch votes.
Postumous memoirs recalls the times.
These ladies, being previously furnished with lists of outlying woters drove to their respective dwellings. Neither entreaties nor promises were spared. The duchess and her friends conveyed voters to the polls and as caricatures and cartoons of the day show, she even traded kisses for votes. The opposition MP's for the seat also tried to enlist female assistance from the women such as the Countess of Salisbury, but without the same succeess. The easy going nature for which the duchess was renowned, and her 'common touch' made her popular with the voters.