Stepping out in coats of many colours

This season's patterned tights, bright and beaded

knitwear and pretty dresses deserve to be seen. Show

them off with a short and colourful coat, combining

swing, freedom of movement and dashing coordination

Left: purple tweed coat, pounds 850, and brown pleated skirt, pounds 300, both at Anna Molinari, 11a Old Bond Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 493 4872); purple rib tights, pounds 2.75, by Jonathan Aston, available at major department stores (tel:0116 286 2388); tan Mary Jane shoes, from a selection by Michael Perry at Pied a Terre, 31 Old Bond Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 629 0686)

Right: pale blue coat, pounds 390, by Miu Miu, at Pellicano, 63 South Molton Street, London W1, (tel: 0171 629 2205); jumper, pounds 290, by Missoni, at Joseph, Fulham Road, London SW3 (tel: 0171 629 4774); tweed skirt, pounds 60, at Jigsaw,126-127 New Bond Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 491 4484)

Top: purple tweed coat, pounds 420, and velvet dress, pounds 295, both by Tocca, at Browns, 23-27 South Molton Street, London W1 (tel: 0171-491 7833); cream beaded cardigan, pounds 25, at Blackout Two, 51 Endell Street, London WC2 (tel: 0171 240 5006)

Above: midnight-purple double-breasted boucle coat, pounds 255, at Whistles, 27 Sloane Square, London SW1 (tel: 0171-730 9819)

Right: olive pea coat, pounds 120, at Warehouse, 19-21 Argyll Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 278 3491); pale pink short- sleeved jumper, pounds 21, at Benetton, 255-259 Regent Street, London W1 (tel:0171 731 4564); stone flat-front trousers, pounds 125, at Joseph, 26 Sloane Street, London SW1 (tel: 0171 629 4774)