Barre council

Never mind the plis and pirouettes, just check out the costumes, especially Portman's sexy black tutu, with those layers and layers of net (although not quite enough to cover her bottom). It's enough to make many a grown woman (who probably ought to know better) want to discover her inner ballerina, yearning for ballet shoes, with their cute pink ankle ribbons, and those cross-over cardis that are actually surprisingly flattering as long as your chest isn't overly generous. And then there are those floaty skirts, not just the sticky-out short frilly things, but those wonderful floaty petal-like white and pink chiffon numbers that you wear over leotards. Or am I getting carried away?

After all, it's all right for the gloriously young and petite Natlie Portman, but what about the rest of womankind? How can any woman over 25, bigger than a size 6, possibly get away with the new ballerina trend?

Fortunately, the fashion designers are ahead of us on that one. The international catwalks for spring/summer 2011 were awash with fresh, floaty styles that stay true to the spirit of ballet while offering oodles of flattering, floaty wear that can adapt to suit all shapes and sizes.

It's all about movement, in the drapery, the folding and the pleating, blending body-conscious dressing (you highlight the best parts of your figure, a narrow waist, or slim hips) with figure-disguising beautiful fabric that skims other aspects. This is what the best dance wear does anyway, offering flattering shapes to enhance the best parts of the human shape.

On the catwalk, Chloe and Lanvin both offered gorgeous layers of shimmering translucent fabric, while Julien Macdonald in London gave us short sassy creations in petal layers of chiffon. The High Street has followed suit in offering both long and short dresses and skirts that offer a fresh new take on feminine spring dressing and bringing lovely options for summer formal and partywear. Just check out the creations shown here from Coast and Mango, among others.

Don't be afraid of all that floaty fabric, but do accessorise with care. Small and neat is best for bags and a heel will give much-needed height. Steer clear of those thick white tights – they are only good for the slimmest and most toned of legs.