Dressing the part

This week, I bring you a look that just about anyone can copy. In the recently released film Flirting With Disaster, the gorgeous Patricia Arquette plays a new mum. She dresses in long floaty skirts, big jumpers, dungarees - that kind of thing. She wears her hair in plaits at times, and she never quite looks pressed. Hardly conventionally sexy, yet, of course, very sexy indeed - she looks like she'd be a damn good shag. The other woman in it is tall, thin, immaculately dressed and looks like she'd be crap. Like worrying about her hair all the time. Don't try to look too cutsie, especially if you look over 30. And remember that with this look, not only can you eat as many chocolate brownies as you like, but it looks like you've got a life that extends beyond reading fashion magazines. ANNALISA BARBIERI

Denim dungarees, pounds 65, Lee, from selected jeanswear stores. Beige V-neck cotton sweater, pounds 60, Nougat, from Fenwick, Brent Cross Shopping Centre, London NW4, and House of Fraser, Metro Centre, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. Enquiries: 0171 208 4300

Grey rib sloppy joe sweater, pounds 149, Joseph, 26 Sloane Street, London, SW1. Enquiries: 0171 629 4774. Shantung silk embroidered skirt, pounds 190, Elspeth Gibson, from Fenwick of Bond Street, London W1. Black leather biker boots, pounds 39.99, Shellys, 266-270 Regent Street, W1. Mail order: 0181 450 0066

Black crochet cardigan, pounds 59, Sisley, from selected Benetton branches nationwide. Enquiries: 0161 929 9259. Rose-print skirt, pounds 55, Laura Ashley, 256-258 Regent Street, W1. Enquiries: 0990 622116

Pink cropped cardigan, pounds 32.95, Monsoon, branches nationwide. Enquiries: 0171 313 3000. Beige suede desert boots, pounds 36, Clarks, branches nationwide. Enquiries: 0990 785886

Denim jacket, pounds 59.99, In Wear, from Fenwick of Bond Street, W1. Maze, 19 Green Street, Bath, Avon. Enquiries: 0181 871 2155. Navy stripe t-shirt, pounds 14.99, from H&M, 261-271 Regent Street, W1 and Caxton Gate, New Street, Birmingham.