True aficionados swear by www. prettyballerinas. com, which stocks an inexhaustive amount of colours, styles and sizes. Available in chocolate sparkle, red lizard and lilac leopard, some styles even go up to 44. Sure to bring out 'la petite coquette' in anyone, you'll stand out in these sunny yellow beauties. Yellow suede flats, A�89 (plus A�10 p&p)

2 Float like a butterfly Mmm, you weigh it up: grab a bite to eat and a cinema ticket or buy a whole new oufit for A 20 at Penneys? Just how and when did Penneys become so cheap? Of course we've all been guiltily indulging for a long time - and immediately admitting to the ridiculously tiny prices as soon as we get a sniff of a compliment ("What, this old dress? A 12 in Penneys! ).

And now we zealously shop on with the stamp of approval from magazines such as 'Grazia' and 'Vogue'. The store's first collection of Opia jewellery - featuring sparkly cocktail rings, chunky bangles and retro medallions - is in store with prices from A 1. Butterfly necklace, A 1.50

3 Frock watch If you are a mummy who's more yummy than tummy or a twentysomething constantly on the look out for the hippest of hip, you could be forgiven for not knowing that Wallis exists. With a past reputation for being dull and frumpy, Wallis has been in a losing battle for many years with its sharp and chic neighbours, Coast and Reiss. But that's all changed.

In the past few seasons the shop has got its act together, introducing gorgeous must-have pieces at giveaway prices.

This dress in their spring range will look as good over leggings for early spring nights out as it will come summer with bare legs and flip flops. Silk dress, A 148

4 Cut the mustard When the winter version of this satin top hit the shops before Christmas it sold out so fast there was no getting your hands on one, which is why we welcome this new boxy, sporty jacket interpretation for spring. Straddling both the leisurewear and mod trends that are so big for the new season, this versatile little number can be worn for nights out by pairing it with a cocktail shift dress and heels or to work with a skinny jumper, scarf, jeans and flats. These little throwover jackets were huge last summer and will be even bigger this year. Silk top, A 120, French Connection (www. frenchconnection. com)

5 Short story The idea of shivering in a silky pair of black shorts probably doesn't seem the most appealing thing in the world right now but believe us by the end of March everyone will try their hand at embracing this not-going-away-fast trend for shorts over leggings, tights or (for the truly brave) bare skin. Pinko is an Italian-born label dating back to the '80s which takes its name from the 1926 'Time' magazine reference to 'pinkos' (ie visionaries) and has been on the cutting edge of affordable fashion for some time.

Shorts, A 115, Pinko in BT2, Dundrum and Brown Thomas, Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick