After delays, this hotly awaited Primark Trapeze coat (right) has finally gone into store. Very Burberry, very 60's, very chic. £35, 01189 606 300

How to wear the Goth look
In a Times interview, Sophia Myles talks about going Goth for her role in Dracula. But for those who want to look un-dead gorgeous, it's a delicate transformation. Don’t wear head-to-toe gothic unless you want to be mistaken for the ghost of Christmas past. Stick to one dark element to your outfit, be it clothes, make up or accessories.

Add “something of the night” to day or evening clothes with gothic accessories. Elbow-length leather gloves will add edge to a bracelet-sleeved coat and a hairband or comb with black net over the eyes creates mystery and sophistication.

Wearing lace is one of the simplest and sexiest ways to incorporate the gothic look. Try Pearl Lowe’s hand-dyed lace dresses, or Christian Louboutin’s lace platform heels. On the high street, La Redoute haves a black lace bolero that is perfect for Christmas parties, and you can replace last year’s chiffon-wrapped beads with lace-wrapped beads. Avoid lace tights unless you actively like the Readers’ Wives look.

Mix updifferent types of gothic references. Team a Romantic delicate, lace-trimmed dress with apunkier, harder-edged pair ofblack boots. The easiest way to do goth-lite? Black nails.

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Sainsbury’s shopper

You no longer need to head to Bond Street to get a coveted, remortgage-the-house-just-to-pay-for-it It bag. If Kate Moss can carry a Superdrug bag in the crook of her arm with aplomb, then why not wear a 50p shopper from Sainsbury’s? And this is no simple shopping bag: there are two limited edition bags that feature the work of well-known artists. The first bag features a wintry woodland sketch by Sheffield-based artist Paul Morrison. The second combines pop art and retro style in bright orange and turquoise with a bold banana print, and is designed by Michael Craig-Martin, an ex-Goldsmiths tutor who taught Damien Hurst and Tracy Emin. Reusable they tick all the environmentally friendly boxes and all proceeds will be donated to local charities.

The death of the Addams family of fashion

Sometimes a dramatic fall from grace is a satisfying thing to watch. We don’t mean to be cruel, but when a shop (Voyage) is so snotty that it deems celebrities unworthy of entry (Madonna and Julia Roberts), you don’t feel so bad watching them nosedive. The Mazzilli family, purveyors of the trashiest clothes in fashion land, set up Voyage in 1991; their unfriendly ways led to the unfortunate nickname of the Addams family of fashion, which clearly did nothing for sales, as today their clothes have ended up in salvage. Stocked at the Salvage Shop in North London, you can get their wacky coats originally priced at £1,200 for something around the £90 mark and dresses for as little as £50. Whoever said revenge is best served cold was clearly turned away from Voyage. Salvage Shop, 020 8208 0404

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