Second skin

Cobra couture was evident on the runways of Milan and Paris with designers such as Gucci and Chanel showing a passion for python in their spring/summer collections.

The most memorable pieces were undoubtedly Gucci's clingy, dress with a daring keyhole neckline and its slinky, cut-out swimsuit.

Celebrity snake charmers include Gwyneth Paltrow who stepped out in the Gucci dress while Madonna chose a reptilian trench coat for partying in London.

Now the high street has enveloped itself in fake snake. It appears on everything from slinky skirts and fitted dresses to sexy tops and biker jackets, not to mention accessories such as skinny belts, sassy mules and stiletto boots.

It is definitely a look for lounge lizards who want to be noticed - particularly if you opt for it in either bright pink or blue rather than the natural python colour.

Claudette Prosper, deputy fashion editor of Company magazine, says: "It has definitely caught on. Some of the designer pieces like the Gucci dress were really directional, but now they have been copied everywhere.

"Snakeskin was very big in the 1970s and then it was laid to rest for a while, now we have this sudden resurgence. It is very sexy, it's like a second skin. It looks great and it really grabs the attention."

She adds: "It looked stunning on the catwalk and the high street has adapted it perfectly. Office and Faith both have designer-style snakeskin boots for about £100."

While the keyhole dress is difficult to resist, Prosper warns that it has been so widely copied that it will probably not last past this season. Instead, she recommends buying an accessory in snakeskin.

"Accessories will have a longer shelf life while the dress is a trend piece which has been worn to death already. Snakeskin is going to continue into autumn/winter so it is definitely worth investing in something. It is also not something to wear from head to toe."

There is no doubt that skin is in - it is just a question of deciding what you are tempted by.

The glitzy print suits Top Shop's style and the store has a very glamorous python pencil skirt (£25) which looks great matched with the season's other must-have item, the tie-neck top.

Oasis is also bang up to date with its jersey snakeskin halter top (£25) with keyhole neckline.

Dorothy Perkins has also gone for the bold look with its biker jacket (£50) and pencil skirt (£40) in a choice of pink or turquoise while George at Asda has a knee-length pale green snake print skirt (£16.99).

First stop for footwear should be Office with its great kitten heel mules (£54.99) in either natural python or a colourful mix of pink and blue. It also has a colourful loafer style mule with front tassles (£54.99) or, for a more relaxed style, try its flat mule in natural snakeskin (£59.99).

Snakeskin bags come in all shapes and sizes. The most successful include River Island's baguette style (£16.99), which will add a touch of glamour to any outfit.

There are plenty of cheaper accessories around. For real snake hips, pick up a skinny belt for as little as £5 from Top Shop which also has fun chokers from £4.

The snake look is also set to decorate beaches and poolsides this summer - and not just in exclusive resorts. Gucci's cut-out swimsuit is being copied by Top Shop (£22) while Warehouse will be selling a foxy snake-print bikini (£25).