rhythm of the night

By jove it's been a long time since I went to a club. But I do remember it was all about wearing as little as possible in the club, and yet (especially at this time of year) you had to get there, often by dubious means of transport, and somehow manage not to freeze on the way. This has always been a problem - packing a thermal vest in your patent mini-rucksack seems a bit too grown up for clubby young things. Clubwear is an art in itself, which is maybe why club organisers such as Ministry of Sound and Bumpy Capers also now do clothing lines. If you're new to this, here's a quick run down: wear nylon, patent things, tight things (you don't want to take off while dancing), bra tops wherever possible, and high heels even if you can barely move in them. Carry a bag, a small one, don't dance round it and don't tell everyone you love them. Unfortunately this is one look that suits the young and firm best - it's not fair, but then what is?

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: Lime pearl patent fitted shirt, pounds 29.99, hipster trousers, pounds 34.99, both Miss Pink from Top Shop branches, tel: 0171-636 9001. Black PVC bikini top (part of set), pounds 30, Miss Selfridge branches, tel: 0181-910 1100. Black patent shoulder bag, pounds 19.99, Pink Soda, from Top Shop as before.

Green nylon dress, pounds 202.50, Stephen Fuller from Browns, 223/27 South Molton Street, W1, tel: 0171-613 3126. Orange shoes, pounds 115, Russell & Bromley, 24/25 New Bond Street, W1 and selected branches, tel: 0171- 629 6903.

Yellow embossed stretch satin shell top, pounds 55 and orange mock croc hipster skirt, pounds 70 both Whistles, 27 Sloane Square, SW1 and 15 Princes Square, Glasgow, tel: 0171-720 9819.

Blue check cotton dress, pounds 160, Copperwheat Blundell from Way In at Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1, tel: 0171- 613 0651. Press stud earrings, pounds 25, Hysteric Glamour, 4 Brewer Stret, W1 and Hip, 9 Thornton Arcade, Leeds, tel: 0171- 224 2656.

Are you a dressmaker or a couturier-dressmaker? We will be running a feature on made-to-measure clothes in a future issue so please WRITE to: Annalisa Barbieri, Independent on Sunday, 1 Canada Square, London E14 5DL, with your details so that we can include you in a nationwide directory.