today i'm channelling... drew barrymore

Everyone loves Drew, don't they? She's that rare breed of celebrity adored by men and women alike. Men love her, well, because she's fit. Women love her because she looks like you could have a debaucherous night of cocktail drinking and tabletop-dancing with her, but could also still turn to her for a shoulder to cry on, and it feels like she would always have your back. Amazing how all that can be conveyed with just her face and dress sense, eh?

But despite Drew's (admittedly imagined) suitability as friend material, what I really want to focus on is her style. Granted, she hasn't always got it right fashion-wise (the what-were-you-thinking bouffant she sported to last year's Golden Globes springs to mind), but when she does get it right, boy, does she! The last couple of weeks have been especially exemplary. Prancing around the world on a promotional tour for her latest film, Going the Distance, Ms Barrymore has showcased an array of delightful, effortlessly chic ensembles, from the white maxi, Ray-Ban aviators and studded leather jacket combo worn for a daytime TV appearance, to the ridiculously gorgeous gold brocade Catherine Malandrino full-length dress, accessorised with boho-esque arm jewellery and that gorgeously tousled mane of hair, worn to her LA premiere.

My favourite look of Drew's recent excursions, however, has to be that which she sported to the film's London premiere:

Drew looked effortlessly gorgeous in a simple McQ by Alexander McQueen jersey minidress, which she sexed up with a studded Balmain belt, leg-lengthening YSL platforms, mussed-up hair and vampy berry-coloured lips. In short, the perfect outfit for this tricky summer-into-autumn time of year, and one which is very much my cup of tea.

But how to get your own Drew-inspired ensemble? Well, I've hunted high and low and found the perfect McQueen-esque khaki minidress. There were several out there but none compared to Asos's Outside Seam Knitted Fit & Flare Dress, which is really not a million miles away from Ms Barrymore's and, at £36, a darn sight cheaper. It could be a fairly average piece on its own, but paired with Miss Selfridge's Black Figleaf Skinny Belt, £10 (love this), and Dorothy Perkins' Nude High Court Shoes, a very reasonable £35, the look is elevated into seriously sexy territory. The final touch is to apply a slick of dark berry lipstick, which will bring your ensemble firmly up-to-date and add an after-dark edge. Topshop's Lipstick in Vamp, £8, should do the job nicely.

So there you have it: an understatedly gorgeous look which is perfect for autumn cocktails (just shrug on a faux-fur jacket if the weather is too chilly). Add black opaques and this could work for the office, too. Now, if only my roots would grow a bit faster so I could channel Drew's so-now two-tone hair...

Picture of Drew Barrymore: Instyle.co.uk