UNDER THE SUN

When the heat is on, the caftan comes into its own. Long flowing robes are a practical way to keep cool and shaded from the sun. However, this summer designers including Turkish-born Rifat Ozbek have adapted the caftan, turning it into a floral print dress or a loose-fitting linen tunic that would look as much at home in Camber Sands or Brighton as here in the Canaries mini-Sahara of Fuerteventura

Main picture: gold and blue chiffon caftan, pounds 89, at The Merchant of Europe, 232 Portobello Road, London W11 (enquiries 0171 221 4203); yellow suede sandals with gold ring, pounds 155, at Robert Clergerie, 67 Wigmore Street, London W1 (enquiries 0171 935 3601)

Inset: pink silk linen caftan, pounds 175, at Ally Capellino, 95 Wardour Street, London W1 (enquiries 0171 494 0678)

Main picture and inset: floral print jersey hooded caftan, to order from Ozbek (enquiries 0171 408 0625). Necklaces, pounds 12 each, at Agatha, 4 South Molton Street, London W1 (enquiries 0171 495 2779)