Real clothes: Pretty as a petal

I love English summers despite the omnipresent danger of rain - it just makes the sunshine all the sweeter. I would write that this summer florals are really in, but I can't remember a summer when they weren't. The one trend that has gained momentum since last year is the trousers under dress one. This is jolly useful for two reasons: nippy summer breezes and if you don't like showing your legs but want to wear a dress. Embroidery is also big news and a fine excuse to get going with the cross stitch. My hot tip is the lovely apron dress by Soft Grey from La Redoute's catalogue (pictured) which the more modest amongst us would wear with a T-shirt underneath, and it costs less than pounds 30. Don't forget to eat lots of jam tarts, which go splendidly with florals and embroidery.

Make-up by Sharon Willmore using Clinique.

Hair by Rudi at Windle using Bumble & Bumble (tel: 0171 497 2393).

Modelled by Colette.

Main pic opposite

Floral apron dress with pockets (sizes 8-16), pounds 28.50, Soft Grey, La Redoute (tel: 0500 777 777 for mail order).

This page, clockwise from left

Pink floral dress (sizes 8-14), pounds 52, Jigsaw, 126-127 New Bond Street, London W1. 39-43 King Street, Manchester (tel: 0171 491 4484). Pink striped skirt (sizes s-l), pounds 203, Boyd, JW Beeton, 68 Ledbury Road, London W11. Wade Smith, Temple Street, Liverpool (tel: 0171 385 7782). Pink leather shoes (sizes 3-8), pounds 29.99, La Redoute (mail order: 0500 777777).

Pink and green floral wrap dress (sizes s-l), pounds 139, Joseph, 26 Sloane Street, London SW1. 68-78 Vicar Lane, Leeds (tel: 0171 590 6200).

Red/white embroidered top (sizes s-l), pounds 122, and matching skirt (sizes s-l), pounds 203, Boyd, JW Beeton, 68 Ledbury Road, London W11. Wade Smith, Temple Street, Liverpool (tel: 0171 385 7782).

Red gingham dress (sizes s-l), pounds 70, French Connection, 249 Regent Street, London W1 (tel: 0171 399 7200). White cotton cropped trousers (sizes 8-16), pounds 40, Warehouse, 19-21 Argyll Street, London W1. 30 King Street, Manchester (tel: 0171 278 3491).