The England international, who was then a part-time model for Armani, had a hand in the choice of Liverpool's infamous white FA Cup final suits in 1996 which were roundly ridiculed after the 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.

Those suits contributed to accusations of a 'Spice Boy' culture at Anfield, a tag some of those players have struggled to dissociate themselves from since.

Twelve years on and James, who also lost 1-0 to Chelsea playing for Aston Villa in the 2000 cup final, has eyes solely for the prize.

"Do you know what? I really don't care [about the fashion]," said the 37-year-old, who has recovered from a calf injury which forced him to miss Portsmouth's last three league matches.

"My irritation is that in 1996 the suits were more memorable than the cup final itself, but that was our fault because we didn't play well enough.

"I don't care what the game is like so long as we win. A scrappy 1-0 would do for me.

"I would like to think it's going to be a fantastic spectacle to please everyone but the teams we played in the earlier rounds (all from the Coca-Cola Championship apart from Manchester United in the quarter-finals) have made it very difficult for us to play with the flowing movement we like."

Portsmouth have opted for pin-striped blue suits, designed by top British designer Jeff Banks, but James said he still has the white ensemble from 1996.

"It's still in the wardrobe at home now. It has grass stains on it from when I played in a charity cricket match in it a couple of years after that final - and, yes I did catch a couple of people out," added the goalkeeper.

"I've always said we (Liverpool) would have been called the best-dressed team to win the FA Cup if we'd actually won it - but such is life."