Jack Straw today admitted to taking fashion tips from former Cabinet colleague Peter Mandelson - but denied he'd been given a "makeover".

The Foreign Secretary recently dispensed with his trademark glasses for vari-focal contact lenses.

And now his suits are more fashionable, his hair more trendily cut and his ties more trendy.

He certainly bears little resemblance to the pictures of him as a student leader in the 1960s and 70s.

And Mr Mandelson, the new EU Trade Commissioner, has revealed he passed on style advice to the Blackburn MP.

Today Mr Straw denied a major change in his appearance - apart from the glasses.

He said: "I haven't dramatically changed what I wear. I have just smartened it up a bit.

"It's not true to say I had a makeover from Peter.

"But I did ask him on a couple of occasions where he had got a particular suit or jacket because I thought they looked smart.

"I asked him as a friend and he told me."

Sharp-suited former TV producer Peter Mandelson told glossy men's magazine GQ: "Jack Straw looks every inch the model of a modern Foreign Secretary - strong, solid and well turned out.

"Inside Jack, though, is clearly a man of style trying to break out - no doubt as a result of that continental exposure.

"He has twice asked me where I bought a particular jacket he saw me wearing and I let him into my discovery of the sample sale."

This is where pricey designer stores sell the end of their ranges at cut prices when they are about to change stock.

Mr Mandelson added: "This is an opportunity for politicians to dress above their incomes when fashion shops sell their cast-off clothing at knock-down prices to clear the stock."

Mr Straw said: "I can't remember if I actually went and bought the clothes or not, but he was very helpful.

"In his article in GQ he reveals this and also goes on to be very complementary about the way I dress now. That's very nice of him."