Fashion: At a stretch

If exercise seems too much like hard work, slip on some clothes that do the stretching for you. A supple, athletic wardrobe should include layered wrap tops, trousers so tight they could be mistaken for leggings and - for volume - full ballerina skirts

Above: stretch wrap tops, pounds 119 each, both by Ann Demeulemeester, from Liberty, London W1, 0171 734 1234, or Changing Room, 8 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, 01892 547 899; black trousers, pounds 250, by Julien Macdonald, from Browns, 23-27 South Molton Street, London W1, 0171 514 0000, or Pollyanna, 14-16 Market Hill, Barnsley, 01226 291 665. Right: white double-layer top, pounds 95, by Martine Sitbon, from Selfridges, London W1, 0171 629 1234; black stretch net skirt, pounds 300, by Clements Ribeiro, from Selfridges, as before, stockists 0171 409 7710; black corset belt, pounds 109, by Dries Van Noten, from Liberty, as before; black knickers, pounds 12, by Marks & Spencer stores nationwide, enquiries 0171 935 4422; black footlets, pounds 2.50, from John Lewis stores nationwide, enquiries 0171 629 7711

Black dress, pounds 55, by Jean Paul Gaultier, from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1, 0171 584 0011; red Jamaica body, pounds 59, by Wolford, 3 South Molton Street, London W1, 0171 935 9202; black footlets, as before

Black stretch top, pounds 175, by D&G, from Harvey Nichols, as before; red cord elastic, 30p per metre, from Kleins, 5 Noel Street, London W1, 0171 437 6162; white body, pounds 14.99, by Damart, 235 Regent Street, London W1, 01274 568 252; navy pleat skirt, to order, by Junya Watanabe, from Liberty, as before STYLIST ASSISTANT: NATHAN ROGERS; HAIR: THOMAS DUNKIN AT JOHN FRIEDA USING JOHN FRIEDA PRODUCTS; MAKE-UP: SIOBHAN LUCKIE FOR BENEFIT; MODEL: CLARE DURKIN AT MODELS ONE; WITH THANKS TO ALAN HERDMAN PILATES STUDIO, 17 HOMER ROW, LONDON W1, AND BODYWORKS WEST PILATES STUDIO, LAMBTON PLACE, LONDON W11, 0171 229 2888

PHOTOGRAPHS BY KEITH HENDERSON

STYLING BY PENNY LOVELL