Fashion: Smarty pants

For women, underwear usually means one of two things: functional black and white cotton or exotic scraps of silk and lace - never both. But the twain can meet. See La Perla, Aubade and Berlei for smalls that manage to be sexy as well as practical

Above: black and nude lacey bra, pounds 29, and knickers, pounds 15, by Berlei, from Selfridges, Oxford Street, London W1 (enquiries 01525 859759)

Right: purple velvet bra, pounds 55, and knickers, pounds 45, by Aubade, from Fenwick, New Bond Street, London W1 and Rigby and Peller, Conduit Street, London W1 (enquiries 01908 223003)

Above: red rose-print bra, pounds 59, and knickers, pounds 35, by Malizia for La Perla, from Fenwick, as before, or Harrods, Knightsbridge, London SW1 or Sculpture, 23 Brook Street, London W1 (enquiries 0171 436 5864)

Right: grey bra, pounds 8.99, by New Look, 175-179 Oxford Street, London W1 or branches nationwide (enquiries 0500 454094)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARTIN CROOK; STYLING BY HOLLY WOOD

MAKE-UP BY SHARON IVES AND HAIR BY JULIE REED, BOTH AT CAROL HAYES

MODEL: INDIA AT TAKE TWO