FASHION: GET SHIRTY

It's for all those women who complain that men who wear suits have it easy: the shirt-dress makes getting dressed in the morning as simple as falling out of bed. For the working woman, it's the perfect versatile solution. Wear it short, long, belted or loose, and have one up your sleeve for every occasion. You don't even have to decide what tie to put on

Left: black viscose sleeveless shirt dress, pounds 26.99, at Oasis, 292 Regent St, London W1, and branches nationwide.

Right: psychedelic op-art shirt dress, pounds 44.99, at Warehouse, 19-21 Argyle St, W1, and branches nationwide. Left: floor-length organza shirt dress, pounds 310, and white cotton slip (worn underneath), pounds 95, both by Dries Van Noten, at Harvey Nichols; white thong sandals, pounds 95, at Armando Pollini, 35 Brook St, W1 (0171 629 7606 for enquiries).

Above: lilac shirt dress, pounds 240, at MaxMara, 32 Sloane St, SW1 and 153 New Bond St, W1.

Below: beige stretch gabardine shirt dress, by Clements & Ribeiro, pounds 285, at Liberty, Regent St, W1