I've got some belters of blouses, wait until you see them Your emails on dress sense

Scotland's electoral system was supposed to bring a new political style... the socialists' Rosie Kane says that has now arrived.

The MSP's decision to wear jeans and a multi-coloured blouse to the swearing in session of the Scottish Parliament has raised eyebrows both inside and outside the chamber.

But talking to the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme, Ms Kane, 41, insisted there was nothing confrontational about her decision to wear jeans.

"I was going to my work, it wasn't about making an impact, it wasn't about a protest or anything like that - I just wanted to be comfortable for my work," she said.

"Anybody that knows me knows that I'm a creative dresser, and that will out over the next four years, it's not a big deal and I would urge other MSPs to chill out a bit.

"I'm really concerned about the people I'm working for and most of the people I'm working for look like me."

I think it was more appropriate for a weekend stroll down the high street Nicola Lochead Image consultant

However, Nicola Lochead, an image consultant with Colour Me Beautiful, said she found the casual display very disappointing.

"I feel it shows a complete lack of discipline, a lack of respect.

"Yes, she was going to her work, but on a special occasion like an inaugural ceremony I feel she should have been wearing something smarter and more appropriate.

"We need to be disciplined in our dress, it shows a respect for whom we are working for and to be honest dress down days are going out.

"I think it was more appropriate for a weekend stroll down the high street."

'Belters of blouses'

Ms Kane said she did not feel she had to make any special effort because she felt the ceremony was undemocratic.

With dozens more sittings of the Scottish Parliament before 2007 she is promising to continue her election night pledge to bring colour and imagination to the debating chamber.

"Over the next four years I'm expecting to get a whole lot of comments about what I wear and what I say but the point for me is that I'm hoping to make the parliament accessible to ordinary people, I'm an ordinary person and I simply express that in the way I dress.

"I've got some belters of blouses, wait until you see them."