François Mitterrand, whose sartorial elegance marked France almost as much as his socialism, demonstrated his continuing power of attraction last night after his personal belongings fetched more than double their estimated value at auction.

There was standing room only at the auction room in Paris as about 300 people bid for the late French President's clothes and other posessions, including his trademark fedoras and scarves, raising a total of around €150,000 (£111,000).

Suits, ties and a pair of black velvet slippers made by Church's of Britain and embroidered with a Socialist rose were also amongst the 368 lots which went under the hammer at Tajan in the French capital.

The garments - along with pottery and other objects - were put up for sale to raise funds for France Libertés, his wife, Danielle Mitterrand's charity, and generated far more than the €60,000 she had anticipated.

One brown fedora, valued at €120, fetched €7,800 in an auction, illustrating the Left-wing statesman's hold over the French imagination, 12 years after his death. The buyer, who refused to give his name, said that he was acting on behalf of the Socialist Party.

Mr Mitterrand's black Cerruti robe from the days when he practised at the bar was bought for €8,000 by Maître Karim Achoui, a controversial barrister known for defending French gangland figures. “This robe will give me the aura I've lacked in recent years,” he said.

“He was someone who made the history of France,” said Jacques Ribas, a bidder from Paris. Mr Ribas said that he was determined to buy one of the 50 or so ties put up for sale. “It would be a fine thing for me, a man of the people, to wear the tie of the king.”

However, some purchasers appeared to have been drawn by Mr Mitterrand's impeccable taste more than by his politics. 'It's of fine quality,' said a middle-aged man as he fingered one of the Cifonelli suits favoured by Mr Mitterrand. 'And it's very classic style so it won't ever go out of fashion.' 'This is the bargain of the decade,' said Laurent Forge, who bought several suits.

A few bidders however came in search of proof to use against Mr Mitterrand, who is still the subject of fierce debate in France. 'He was a Socialist president who wore Weston shoes,' said an opponent. 'That shows that he wasn't from ordinary France.'

Mrs Mitterrand auctioned her late husband's belongings - which included a leather crocodile skin bag given by Fidel Castro - after the French Government cut subsidies for her charity, which helps developing countries to improve access to running water. 'I didn't want our house to become a museum,' she added.

But the sale was criticised by French Socialists, who said Mr Mitterrand's belongings should have been preserved in his memory.

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