Stripe it lucky

Clements Ribeiro have always had a bit of a thing for stripes, but when the British designer duo sent out their latest collection for French label Cacharel, it almost looked as if they had become an obsession.

The cute, oversized T-shirt dresses and flippy Eighties-inspired ra-ra skirts, in everything from bold Breton stripes to rainbow-hued designs, made stripes look effortlessly hip again.

A perennial style favourite, stripes make perfect August dressing. If you can afford it, splash out on a design classic such as one of Sonia Rykiel's multicoloured sweaters from her diffusion line, Sonia, for £145. Or opt for a much more affordable alternative from French children's boutique Petit Bateau - their adultsized Breton striped tops in classic navy and cream are a snip at only £23.50.

Stripes are not only the perfect thing to pack, but with everyone from Givenchy to Gaultier running them up for autumn, a great investment, too.