wearing the weeds

From frou-frou florals to pastel-coloured chiffon, this spring has so far seen an unwarranted display of wanton girlishness. Thank goodness for every sensible woman's stand-by: good old black. For even in a season as fluffy as this, you can find enough glamorous black pieces to add a little instant mystery - Sicilian Widow style Main picture: black knit off-shoulder dress, pounds 210, by Ann Demeulemeester, from Harvey Nichols, Knightsbridge, SW3 (tel: 0171 235 5000), and Browns, 23-27 South Molton Street, W1 (tel: 0171 491 7833)

Left: black bias-cut slip dress with crochet panels, pounds 390, and matching crochet cardigan, pounds 208, both by John Rocha, from Selfridges, Oxford Street, W1 (tel: 0171 629 1234), and Strand, 20-22 Queen Victoria Street, Leeds (tel: 0113 244 6201)

Above: black linen dress with origami rose on shoulder, pounds 559, by Mark Whitaker, from Liberty, Regent Street, W1 (tel: 0171 734 1234)

PHOTOGRAPHS BY SHERIDAN MORLEY

STYLING BY DAVID HAYES

HAIR AND MAKE UP BY SALLY KVALHEIM FOR JO HANSFORD, 19 MOUNT ST, W1

MODEL: JADE AT SELECT

SHOT ON LOCATION AT HEVER CASTLE, NEAR EDENBRIDGE, KENT (01732 865224)