Woolly, but never, ever wild

Twinsets don't have to be mumsy. Grace Kelly wore them with deck shoes, Marilyn Monroe wore them in baby pink. Now's your chance

John Smedley cotton cardigan £68, cotton sweater £55. This is the trendiest of the twinsets here partly because of its texture, a very soft, sea island cotton. Both cardigan and sweater are fine knits, perfect for every season. Available from Harr ods, Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3; and Craglands, Grasmere, Cumbria Cashmere Studio cardigan £179, polo neck £159. Looks luxuriously warm and rich and comes in peach, powder pink, chocolate and soft, buttery yellow. This is not a light knit but it avoids being bulky because it is well designed, with tapered cuffs and waistband. From Cashmere Studio,10, Sloane Street, London SW1. Enquiries 0171-254 9111

Joseph Tricot sweater £129, cardigan £149. One of those patterns you avoided in childhood, but now looks great with jeans for a fresh, country style.Best worn separately, because the combination of sweater and cardigan feels very bulky. Available from Joseph 26 Sloane Street, London SW1, and Annabell Harrison, Shires Yard, Milson Street, Bath.

Left Jaeger Ivory cashmere cardigan £159, and top £119. More a grown-up's twinset than a fashion item. It lacks the Fifties, cutsie appeal but is ideal for dressing-up for evening, or down for day. Pearlised buttons add the finishing touch. Available from Jaeger, 200-206 Regent Street, London W1, and 12-14 King Street, Manchester. Enquiries 0171-494 2060

Right Tse Cashmere sleeveless polo neck £135, V-neck cardigan £159. Sporty enough to wear with shorts but could just as easily be worn under a suit for work. A beautifully made, very lightweight combination in pastel colours. The only drawback to the quality of the fine wool is that sheerness and underwear lines could be a problem. Available to order from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, London SW1; inquiries 0171-235 5000

Scotch House £97.50 for the set. The classic twinset, in pastel colours, great to wear with pearls. The sweater sleeve is a particularly good length. Made of pure lambswool but not quite as soft as some of the others selected here, however this really wins on its shape. The look is more cutsie than librarian. Baby pink gives it a Marilyn Monroe feel. Available from The Scotch House, Brompton Road, London SW3, Princes Street, Edinburgh, and Buchanan Street, Glasgow