But a Government minister's guilty sartorial secret certainly raised a few eyebrows in the city.

Health Secretary Alan Johnson MP is probably not short of a bob or two – but it seems the thrifty politician does not see the need to invest in a new pair of socks.

The minister's fashion faux pas was exposed in front of ET flashbulbs and onlookers when he removed his shoes to be measured, as part of his visit to the city's hospital.

He was at the Acorn centre in Welland to see a healthy eating class for mums and toddlers.

The healthy lifestyle co-ordinator, Lynn Boness, asked him to slip out of his shoes so she could measure his height.

But as he stepped on to the stand, all eyes were drawn towards his feet – because one black sock had a hole in it with a glimpse of a big toe peeking through. While others were threatening to break through the threadbare cotton.

Mr Johnson is not alone in paying little attention to what he wears on his feet.

Last year, World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz was also caught out.
His darning deficiencies were revealed when he took his shoes off while visiting a mosque in Edirne, western Turkey.

Both of the grey socks sported holes with his big toes popping through.
It seems most men are strangers to darning.

As a line of people sat to have their shoes shined for Maundy Thursday in Cathedral Square, a request to see their socks revealed more stingy sock wearers.

Men were the worst offenders – with tatty, mismatched, hole-ridden socks, they appeared to be turning a blind eye to the covering keeping their tootsies snug.

Chris Woods (22), of Hetley, Orton Goldhay, said: "Look, no holes. But I don't care about socks. As long as they smell fresh, that's the main thing. A sock is a sock."

But Cassie Ash from Sockshop.co.uk said good socks had the power to put a spring back in your step.

She said: "Holey socks are a major fashion faux-pas that no modern man would want to be caught out wearing.

"Socks are fast becoming a major menswear must-have fashion accessory.
"Men have a limited way that they can experiment with trends, so socks are an easy, affordable and highly stylish way to do this.

"We suggest that men put a spring in their step by adding this season's fashionable colours to their work suit with a pair of bright coloured socks.

"Try red or purple to really stand out.

"Update that tired office suit with some seriously cool texture and detail in a pair of patterned socks.
"Or why not just spring clean your sock drawer and fill it with some really good quality plain socks for a classic option that will never go out of style?"