FASHION / a return to the land

For many women, the Second World War was a liberating experience. As well as exchanging the home fires for the factories and the land, they gave up cute tailored suits, high heels and handbags in favour of rough, tough clothes for the outdoors. Today's land girl look evokes the sober, thrifty face of the Forties, but with a modern twist. Make up the look yourself by trawling through army surplus stores and charity shops

Main picture, left: battle dress jacket, pounds 22, at Laurence Corner, 62-64 Hampstead Road, London NW1, and Army Surplus Stores, 781-783 Dumbarton Road, Whiteinch, Glasgow, worn over suede dress, pounds 140, at Name, 44 Shelton Street, London WC2, telephone 0171 240 8746. Tights, pounds 1.50, by Jonathan Aston, at department stores nationwide. Shoes, pounds 18, at The Glorious Clothing Company, 60 Upper Street, London N1, telephone 0171 704 6312.

Main picture, right: wrap-over canvas skirt, pounds 125, and silk and canvas lightweight jacket, pounds 210, both by Comme des Garcons, at 59 Brook Street, London W1; Browns, 23/27 South Molton Street, London W1; Pollyanna, 61- 65 Glassford Street, Glasgow; Pollyanna, 16 Market Hill, Barnsley. Flesh nylon shirt, pounds 55, by Joseph, at 26 Sloane Street, SW1; Ichi Ni San, 26 Bell Street, Glasgow and Annabel Harrison, Shires Yard, Milsom Street, Bath. Grey tights as before. Burgundy brogues, pounds 182, at Church's, 133 New Bond Street, London W1.

Inset, left: stone cotton shirt with breast pockets, pounds 150, by Liza Bruce, at Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1; Firenze, Unit 18, Westbury Mall, Balfe Street, Dublin, and Browns, 23-27 South Molton Street,

London W1. Zip-front nylon dress, pounds 305, by Prada, at Pellicano, 63 South Molton Street, London W1, and Pollyanna, as before. Nylon hipster trousers worn underneath, pounds 130, at Name, as before. Army boots, pounds 18, and red tie, pounds 2.99, both at Laurence Corner, and Army Surplus Stores, as before.

Inset, right: cotton army jacket, pounds 18, at Laurence Corner, and Army Surplus Stores, as before. Black nylon pencil skirt, pounds 115, at Name, as before. Grey tights and shoes, as before