Hail fellow, well meshed

These cool, clingy knits will be all over the shops any minute. The daring will wear them by day, the laidback by night. And they're the best excuse, short of a new bikini, to go on a diet

Left:

Bella Freud,

cap-sleeved dress, £150

This well-made garment can be played to look sweet or sexy. In knitted cotton, it comes in black, pink and white. If you're reluctant to show this much leg, Bella Freud also does a range of longer knitted dresses. From Tokio, 309 Brompton Road, London SW1; Hewia, Ist Floor, Royal Exchange, Cross Street, Manchester, M2. Enquiries on 0181-968 7579

French Connection, fluffy dress, £74.99

Grown-ups will be reluctant to be dressed up like a pram toy, this is probably more suitably for clubbing babes. Comes in leaf-green, ecru, tangerine and lilac from French Connection, 249 Regent Street and branches nationwide. Enquiries on 0171-580 2507

Right: Copperwheat Blundell, gold lurex dress, £260

Definitely an evening dress, the cut-out cleavage means that self-conscious readers will rule this one out, and only the flat chested should try it. Having said that, it could be a show stopper on the right person. Beware the scratchy straps. From Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1

Below left:

Whistles, knitted shift dress, £99

Jigsaw, vest dress, £76

The most sensible items here. The black dress underneath is a simple vest shape that can be covered up by a cardigan for day or bedecked with jewels by night. The tunic over the top is quite sheer and sexy, but generously cut to hide a multitude of sins. It can be worn as a tunic over leggings and palazzo pants or daringly as a dress, and comes in black or cream. From Whistles, 12 St Christopher's Place, London W1, and branches. Jigsaw dress from 91-95, Fulham Road, London SW3, Queen Victoria Quarter, Leeds 1 and branches nationwide. Enquiries on 0181-878 8443

Below:

Amaya Arzuaga, halter-neck, £95

A tiny, skimpy little number of a dress, which looks not much off but beautiful on. It's refreshing to see knitted fabric used in such a delicate way - this isn't your everyday sexless woolly. Made from 50 per cent rayon/nylon, 50 per cent acrylic, it comes in blue and dusty pink. From Way In, Harrods, Knightsbridge, SW1