FULL marks go to Dorothy Perkins this season for finding the best young designs and turning them into wearable fashion at low prices.

Add to your existing wardrobe with one of its ruched tops or long 'dirty denim' skirts and suddenly you're up-to-date without breaking the bank.

OK, with fashion turning on a pin, the look may well be gone before you've washed it, but if you are anything like me you'll enjoy it while it lasts by wearing it to death anyway.

Check out the looks in your nearest Dottie Ps - I was surprised at the return of Adam Ant's 'stand and deliver' being mixed with the gypsy/pirate, reminding me of my New Romantic years! But it's all about fun with these high street stores and that's what young fashion should be.

My favourite find this month is Laura Ashley, no longer holding true to its 'knit your own yoghurt' image of dowdy colours and flowery prints.

What a shock I had when I went into its Kendal store (Elephant Yard) again this month.

It is certainly ahead in the high street for gorgeous wools and fabric in its new autumn collection.

Wonderful warm reds, chocolates and honey-tones work well in merino and lambswool.

Good sizing and good cut means that when you try something on it fits.

Prices are slightly higher than the younger end of the high street but the difference in quality shows.

Is it only me that still remembers Madonna's fab wardrobe in the film Desperately Seeking Susan? Her crazy mix of denim and diamante with satin skirt and trainers or rough cut jeans and sequin studded heels, a real dressing-up box of fun to bring out the flirtatious in the strong individual female.

Mr Gee's has it all, from Ted Baker to Killah, the looks are independent of each other with an emphasis on breaking the rules.

Contrasting your fabrics such as fur with denim and jewels with suede works big-time this season.

The images from Mr Gee's collections speak for themselves.

I can spend hours in his stores (Bowness or Barrow), 'playing' with the clothes.

Layer a Miss Sixty top with a Diesel denim jacket and fake fur trim.

Put Miss Sixty Power jeans with a pair of Mr Gee's Red or Dead outrageous boots, add bangle and beads and a large buckle belt... (oh to be 29 again!).

Having bought a few 'must haves' last week from George and Amanda, who own the stores, I headed home full of ideas.

Out came my mad purchase Versace belt stored away in 1985, out came my Chanel-copy chain belt in blazing gold! Afro comb through hair, big and bold I strutted my stuff on the dance floor last week and felt comfortable doing it, so obviously up-to-date no one batted an eyelid - OK, so it was a '70s revival party, but I can dream!