Tutu fabulous: Raise the fashion barre

I have ballet brain. Between the hoopla of Black Swan and Karen Walker's amazing costumes for the Royal New Zealand Ballet's recent tour, I find myself wanting to run around pretending to be a ballerina - something I never even did as a child.

However, knowing I have the co-ordination and poise of a potato, I'll have to settle for dressing like I have the grace and style of a dancer instead.

Inspired by the bright colours and bold shapes of Karen Walker's designs, it's easy to achieve the look of a modern dancer, without actually being one. And I don't mean pretending your leggings are pants. They're not.

It's all about considered silhouettes and impact from afar. Think about how your outfit would look on stage. Go for bold yellows, corals, reds and navy, contrasted with sharp black, white or grey. Use blocks of colour and keep it simple.

Balance your silhouette. Match voluminous skirts with a fitted leotard or T-shirt. Pair a sheer, loose-fitting top with structured shorts or cropped pants.

Think about the shape of ballet outfits. They're always nipped in at the waist to create a beautiful feminine shape. You can do this with a cropped or wrap-around cardigan or a wide belt. Belts are also a great way to cover the cheap-looking elastic waistbands that are common on the sheer skirts around this season, and make your outfit seem more expensive.

If you don't have dancer's legs (which, let's face it, is most of us) go for a sheer maxi skirt, like the gorgeous ones at Wild Pair. They'll give you that floaty, romantic look, but with a little more modesty. Plus they'll still be stylish come summer.

Finally, throw on a pair of ballet flats, pull your hair into a loose chignon and you're good to go. Chic, classy and, best of all, comfortable.