Ready to wear: Suitably dressed

Trouser suits never go away. They flared out in the Seventies, got shoulder pads in the Eighties and pared down for the Nineties, whilst still incorporating a bit of Seventies styling. Trouser shapes today are gently flared, boot-leg (flare out slightly at the bottom) or straight. Whatever suits you best in other words. Fabric and pattern has become the key: suede, synthetics or stripes are more important than superfluous design detail. In the summer, nothing looks smarter than a light coloured, floppy-fabric, loose fit suit with nothing underneath. You can wear this sort of suit with flat thong sandals (still in) or high strappies (very in, but not to my taste). Avoid looking too masculine, we've hijacked the trouser suit for long enough to make it our own.

Beige jacket, pounds 225, matching trousers, pounds 135, and chocolate shell top, pounds 89, all from Whistles, 12 St Christopher's Place, London W1. Enquiries: 0171 487 4484. Pearlised shoes, pounds 89.95, Biba for Bertie, 36 South Molton Street, London, W1. Enquiries: 0171 935 2002

Tobacco wrap jacket, pounds 120; matching trousers, pounds 65; Biba, 15 Shorts Gardens, London, WC2. Enquiries: 0171 226 0788. Gold pendant, pounds 80, Helena Rohner, Dickens & Jones, Regent Street, London W1. Enquiries: 0171 734 7070

White one-button jacket, pounds 119.99; matching trousers, pounds 59.99, Morgan, Barkers Arcade, Kensington High Street, London W8. Enquiries: 0171 436 5255. Mustard stretch V-neck top, pounds 39.95, Karen Millen, 48 King Street, Manchester. Enquiries: 01622 664032. Gold snake necklace, pounds 26, Agatha, 4 South Molton Street, London W1. Mail order: 0171 495 2779

Styled by

ZOE BROWN

Hair & make-up SALLY

KVALHEIM

for JO

HANSFORD

Model: STEWART at SELECT

Stripe jacket pounds 370, matching trousers pounds 145, and shirt pounds 170, Vivienne Westwood Red Label, 43 Conduit Street, London W1; 2a St Mary's Street, Manchester. Enquiries: 0171 287 3188. White sandals, pounds 195, Gina, 189 Sloane Street, London SW1. Enquiries: 0171 235 2932