The Complete Guide to Online Shopping: Women's Fashion

Agent Provocateur

www.agentprovocateur.com

Set up 12 years ago by Vivienne Westwood's son Joe Corre, and his wife Serena Rees, this is the place to find saucy lingerie at its most sophisticated. Making sure no one's left out, there's even a sexy maternity range.

020-7439 0229

ASOS

www.asos.com

As Seen On Screen sticks to its brief with bargain-priced copies of the latest celebrity fashions. Want Kate's leopard-print coat or Keira's boy-cut jeans but can't afford the designer prices? Then this is the site for you.

Boden

www.boden.co.uk

More mummy than yummy, this provides for all the posh girl's - and boy's - fashion needs. You're not going to find mind-blowingly hip designs, but it is reliable and good on basics and co-ordinating separates.

08456 775 000

b Store London

www.bstorelondon.com

This was recently named Shop of the Year at the British Fashion Awards, and it's easy to see why. The online store covers shoes, clothes and accessories from some of the freshest names around.

020-7734 6846

Boudiche

www.boudiche.com

The Scottish answer to Agent Provocateur, this Edinburgh-based emporium of all things silky and lacy sets itself apart with willing customer service. Also has a small range of jewellery, shoes, handbags and cosmetics.

0131-226 5255

Brora

www.brora.co.uk

For classic cashmere with a contemporary spin, it's hard to find better than Brora. The range covers luxury hoodies, beanies and cute Fair Isle berets, but it's best known for its range of jumpers, cardigans and polo necks.

020-7736 9944

Browns

www.brownsfashion.com

Long a favourite with London-based fashionistas, this purveyor of designer labels (expect everything from Diane von Furstenberg and Marc Jacobs to Acne jeans) is now winning new fans with its comprehensive - and knowledgeably put-together - online store.

020-7514 0064

Figleaves

www.figleaves.com

Not an obvious place to go for designer undies (though it does those, too), the great thing about this lingerie store is the breadth of its range. Whether you want purple footless tights, Calvin Klein pyjamas or a strapping sports bra, it's all here.

08704 999 000

Heidi Klein

www.heidiklein.com

It doesn't matter whether you're itsy- bitsy teeny-weeny or Amazonian - this is the place for holiday essentials. A one-stop shop for bikinis, swimsuits - and all the bags and sunglasses a girl could want. Also does gift vouchers.

08452 062 000

Keep and Share

www.keepandshare.co.uk

This site sells quirky but lovely knitwear by Amy Twigger Holroyd (cardis inspired by Gram Parsons and "Ivor Novello" scarves). Happily for wool addicts, the collection changes regularly. Known for its personal and prompt customer service.

01432 851 162

Marks and Spencer

www.marksandspencer.com

An unlikely addition to the list, maybe, but a well-deserved one. Better designs and savvy marketing have helped to turn around the store's collections, and the online shopping facility means that you can grab the best stock.

08456 090 200

Matches

www.matchesfashion.com

For retail therapy at the click of a mouse, log on to Matches, the online branch of a small designer-clothes chain. Regularly changing stock, a dedication to new labels and plenty of seasonal must-haves mean that this site is giving Net-A-Porter a run for its money. Has also just launched an online menswear collection.

08001 218 949

Myla

www.myla.com

If you're looking for seductive undies but don't want the kind of stuff that looks like it has been cast off from a fetish party, this is the place to shop. Set up by two female friends, the lingerie here is elegant and sexy, rather than tacky - or just plain scary.

08707 455 003

My Wardrobe

www.mywardrobe.com

Launched last April, this site specialises in well-priced designer clothes, shoes and accessories such as Gharani Strok dresses and separates by Day Birger et Mikkelsen. Shopaholics beware, though. It's no-fuss layout and girly styling could make its pages a dangerous habit.

08452 603 880

Net-A-Porter

www.net-a-porter.com

The customer service can be a bit sniffy, but the stock on this internet-only designer-clothes shop is seriously cutting-edge. The original destination of choice for web-savvy, fashion-forward shoppers, it's still going strong despite increasing competition.

01473 323 032

Olivia Morris

www.oliviamorrisshoes.com

Forget Christian Louboutin or Jimmy Choo. If you want to impress in the shoe department, hotfoot it on to Olivia Morris's website. Known for her Blank Canvas range, sold with a paint kit and clip-on jewellery, the current collection goes all-out for leopard print. There's no direct online service though; choose from the pictures on the website and then phone up for mail order.

020-8962 0353

Plumo

www.plumo.com

This is more of a lifestyle website, but it does do some garments, and is great territory for a bit of clothes-based present-hunting. Its stock tends toward the whimsical and glamorous, and it's big on ladylike dresses and party gear.

08712 413 590

Toast

www.toastbypost.co.uk

Word has it that you're either a Boden girl or a Toast girl, the latter being a little more edgy. This is worth a shot, even if your fashion sense tends towards the conservative. It's not the cheapest, but it does have some exciting stock, which is often slightly boyish. It's also good on classic footwear.

08702 405 200

Topshop

www.topshop.com

Much to the delight of style queens stuck in suburbia, the shop of the moment has recently launched an online branch selling designs usually found only in its flagship stores. Cheap, up-to-the-minute, and with speedy delivery, this is the place to get a quick fashion fix.

08706 069 666

Urban Outfitters

www.urbanoutfitters.co.uk

It may have come a little late to the party, only very recently offering its full range of clothing online, but Urban Outfitters certainly knows how to put together some killer outfits. Choose from Free People sweater dresses, Lux frocks and Alice McCall show-stoppers.

08453 301 288