Athena, Aphrodite and the rest of the Greek goddess gang help us to understand the origins of love, architecture and classical civilisation. But we admire them most for their ability to wear a piece of white cloth. It wasn't easy in mythical Greece: they didn't have Gucci. Yet their way of combining loose drapery with gold accessories has proved an enduring trend.

Madeleine Vionnet, mythical in her own right, gave goddess style a reality check with her wispy Twenties folds. Her dresses were unique in being cut on the bias, giving women an extravagant amount of fabric in which to flounce around. Today, all the designers are at it. Alberta Ferretti is a particular fan of the swathed chiffon look. Her orange dress, shown here, is a shorter interpretation of the toga: there is the requisite drapery, this time vertically from the waist, plus a belt that looks as if it should be behind glass at the Acropolis. Grecian jewellery is easy: choose something large and gold and you can't go wrong. Dress shapes, on the other hand, are more subtle - perhaps because goddesses spent most of their time in the nude. Try just showing off your shoulders or legs; a one-shouldered style is a great starting point for pleats and makes a dramatic shape.

Colour is important. Look for plain, strong shades reminiscent of the sea or the sun. The good thing about Grecian dresses is that you might already have something Hellenic that you can style up to fit the part. Flat leather sandals, a few hundred battered bangles and a sleek hairdo (long, loose curls work, too) will all lift you to a godly status.

Stylist: Eve Thomas, Hair and Make-up: Katie Pettigrew at Lavinia Hughes using Paul Mitchell and Estee Lauder. Model: Zilke at Storm

Times recommends

• The real Paul Raymond
• Living in the moment
• Rent out your home and move abroad