THIS winter the new black is... black. The little black dress reigns supreme, lifted into festive mood with a dash of silver and sequins, a hint of glint, embroidery and stunning accessories.

But it needn't break the bank.

For what will really put a sparkle in your eye and a smile on your wallet is that you can pick many of them up with the weekly shop, with the bread and the beans at the supermarket.

Yes Cinders, you too can go to the ball, with a dress that has all the style and sparkle of the top designer labels but at a fraction of the price.

Supermarket style has gone sophisticated. Day wear is on another planet from the first tentative wrinkled acrylic offerings of ten years ago. And this year's party clothes have grabbed all the big design details of the major labels - but without the price tags.

Brilliant. Who wants to pay a lot of money for a dress you'll never want to wear again by New Year?

And when prices at George at Asda start at £16 for a little black velvet smock dress, or just £18 for this season's must-have puffball, you just can't go wrong. This is disposable fashion at disposable prices.

At prices like these, paying a lot of money for party wear is just plain daft.

Sainsbury's Tu range - which hasn't yet quite got the pizazz of its rivals - still includes black velvet trousers at £25, glittery black skirt, £18, and lots of sparkly black tops from £18-£25.

Over at Tesco, they have a black chiffon dress at £20.Or a black cami top for £3 - which they team with red velvet knickerbockers at £25.

They also have the 1626 range, which goes up to size 26 - and includes wide leg trousers at £20, black embroidered skirt at £30 and a tie waist tunic at £25. Or give your favourite outfit a lift with some of their sparkly accessories, which sparkle with class. The oyster beaded evening bag at £12 looks like a vintage item and certainly much more expensive than it is. A black beaded bag at £12 or of faux snakeskin at £10. And lovely little shrugs are the easiest way to cover up - £18 in both ranges.

Some great after dark clothes for blokes, too - black embroidered shirt £15, velvet jackets, £50, leather belt with diamante buckle, £7.

But while you're in the supermarket stocking up on sparkle, don't forget to get something for supper.

MORE CHARITY ADDRESSES

THESE are dealing mainly with cards and just a few smaller gifts. Remember, when you buy your cards directly from the charity, the money also goes directly to them.

British Kidney Patient Association, Bordon, Hampshire GU35 9JZ, www.britishkidney-pa.co.uk

British Lung Foundation, www.lunguk.org

Butterwick Hospice Care, Middlefield Road, Stockton-on-Tees, TS19 8XN. Tel: (01642) 624231 or (01388) 603003.

Campaign to Protect Rural England, 128 Southwark St, London SE1 0SW. Tel: 020 7981 2800. www.cpre.org.uk

The Children's Society. Tel: (01227) 811610.

Headway, the Brain Injury Association, 4 King Edward Court, Nottingham, NG1 1EW. Tel: 0115 924 0800, www.headway.org.uk

Macmillan Cancer Relief. Tel: 0870 830 7081. www.macmillan.org.uk/catalogue

MDF, The Bipolar Organisation. Tel: 08456 340 540.

ME North East, Bullion Hall, South Approach, Chester-le-Street, DH2 2DW. Tel: 0191-389 2222

Migraine Action, 6 Oakley Hay Lodge Business Park, Great Oakley, NN18 9AS. Tel: (01536) 462858, www.migraine.org.uk

MIND, Granta House, 15 Broadway, London E15 4BQ. Tel: 020 8534 4040

The Rainboiw Trust, 139 Kingston Road, Leatherhead, KT22 7NT, www.rainbowtrust.org.uk

St Cuthbert's Hospice, Park House Road, Merryoaks, Durham, DH1 3QF. Tel: 0191-386 1170.

The Stroke Association, 61-69 Derngate, Northampton NN1 1HD. Tel: (01604) 623942, www.stroke.org.uk

UNICEF Tel: 0870 075 1000. www.unicef.org.uk/shop

BUYLINES

ECONOMISE on luxury and put some fizz in your life - Sainsbury's have a half price offer on Etienne Dumont Brut champagne for another week, £9.99 instead of £19.99

PEACOCKS - a great store for more flash for less cash - have opened a new store in Coulby Newham. Its new range of party clothes and accessories includes bags for £7 and long beaded necklaces, £4.

IF you win the Lottery, whenever the new Wembley Stadium is completed, you can treat a sports fan to their very own seat in a privileged part of the stadium. Use it for every event, let a friend use it, or sell it for the matches you don't want to see. Prices start at £3,900 plus £1,350 season ticket. Works out at £145 an event. Payment plans available for non Lottery winners.

www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/features/