Brown should lose the jacket and find his mojo

What can Gordon Brown do to improve his sartorial image?

A tough one, this. Really, the best thing would be to take out a contract on David Cameron because, truly, he, in both person and style, is to Gordon what Tony was to Gordon: the bright, stylish and just-on-the-right-side-of-cheesy comparative point that serves only to make Gordon look even more gnarled, dark, old and Macbethian. Poor Gordon, just when he thought he had got rid of one, another version sprouted up in his place.

For heaven's sake, Gordon, take off your jacket! Your neurotic refusal to do so makes you look both old-fashioned and fearful of sweat stains, neither of which are looks that tend to flick the switches of the kids in the street.

Think of your aspiring American counterpart, the one and only Barack Obama: now there's a man who knows the value of jacket removal. It makes him look approachable, stylish and ready for a bit of hard work. And if you can't take off your jacket, Gordon, at least take off your tie, or at the very least undo a button.

The fact is, Gordon, your image is one of satanic, brooding darkness. Now, you seem proud of this, hence your little joke about the comparisons to Heathcliff. But while these might be qualities one desires in a heartbroken lover (or not, come to that - Cathy didn't exactly have an ending to which most women aspire), it is definitely not what gets one's mojo going when it comes to political leaders.

So buy some shirts in colours other than "starchy white", maybe even a loose polo shirt for your off-duty moments, ruffle your hair up a bit and don't be afraid of showing a wrist or two. Perhaps even consider switching your facial expression from "bitter glower" to "friendly smile".

You're a handsome devil, you know. You just need to learn how to play up the former half of that description over the latter, OK?

Full story at guardian.co.uk