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It's a bit of a claim, but the Telegraph believe they have found a dress (or style of dress) even better than the Roland Mouret's creations... the smock.

Admittedly, the smock doesn't sound anywhere near as impressive but Clare Coulson, writing for the Telegraph, has said it's out there for all women to enjoy.

The key to exploiting this look is a dose of honesty about your body shape and choosing a style that compliments it. Getting the proportions right is crucial, so the right accessories can make all the difference, too.

Many of the high-street versions are quite extreme. Topshop's mini-smocks in textured white or black cotton and chambray linen are voluminous, and at Miss Selfridge it's a similar story. Willowy girls can wear these dresses with flats, but mere mortals should balance them with chunky, high-heeled shoes, solid platforms or wedges.

One of the best smocks is by Fluet â a new label at Fenwick â which comes in bias-cut red silk with fluted sleeves and a flattering, gently A-line silhouette, which would suit curvier girls.

I am loving smocks right now. I'm not quite sure about her claim that the style suits all figures... the smocks we're seeing at the moment certainly do look great on the models.

a smock looks like a potato sack on me. i have one of those curvy figures with a tiny waist and big boobs/hips (think of an hourglass- I'm 32, 21, 33) and i look so unbelievably frumpy in a smock! so i'm going to say thats a pile of trash!

I am in love with bold graphic smock dresses at the moment. They look gorgeous paired with opaque tights and platform heels.

I'm with you KiKi, but ruru seems proof that the article is wrong about them suiting every figure. Being tall and fairly staight up and down, short smocks are a dream come true for me. That's not to say I'm not completely jealous of ruru's tiny waist and hourglass shape (darn you ruru)! but emphasising hourglass figures with fitted clothes always seems to work to their best advantage.

and I'm completely jealous of tania's amazing legs! yeah i do look better with something fitted around the middle. Wish i could wear them though :(

Smock dresses look fabulous in softer, less rigid fabrics. They look great cinched in at the waist or just under the bust with a bold belt. I know what I'm wearing this winter :)

I love the second look, very sexy :)

the second one looks much better

I am so inlove with smock dresses... i have my chloe one to proove it! BUT that black and white one above... that is INCREDIBLE does anyone know where you can buy that from? Hot stuff!