Marks and Spencer have excelled in providing some fabulous sarongs at an affordable price this summer. Redhotcurry picked up eight from nearly a dozen on offer.

Our favourite include the two-part sarong sets featuring mirror work with a matching bag, priced at £22.00.

Available in deep blue/slate grey (04507932T01) and hot red/ rose pink (04507925T01) or pastel green (04509837T01); these sarongs are handcrafted in India.

Made of 76% viscose, 24% polyamide they come in one size only. Although the 'dry clean only' tag is a major drawback, we felt that they are good enough to wear for evening cocktails if you feel able to carry it off!

If you can still find them in the shops, snap them up for Winter Sun holidays - definitely a classic.

Pastel green mirror-work sarong set.

Another sarong featuring embroidery is available in Royal blue, ideal for showing off a deep tan. Made in India it is 100% polyester and can be washed at 40%.

Priced at only £15 (0574692T01) it is sarong you can wear for years to come.

Their blue mix sarong made of 76% viscose, 24% polyamide, however, was another in the "evening" category we felt.

Apart from being hampered by the "dry clean only" tag it is reasonably priced at £15 (04150404T01) and will appeal to those not overly-keen on mirror-work.

Their heavily promoted orange sarong (as featured in the catalogue and in advertising) is made of 100% polyester and can be readily washed at 40 degrees in the machine.

Printed in an ornate border reminiscent of the Indian wall carvings the sarong is also available in khaki (03541043T01) and costs £12 (03541050t01).

Why it is manufactured in Italy, however is a mystery. Perhaps it is because of other swimwear in the same range?

In the "easy-care" range we liked the Turquoise Sarong with border. Made in India from 100% polyester it can be worn on the beach and washed by hand or machine at 40 degrees.

At £12.00 (03525197T01) it is also affordable.

Sarongs are a "hot" fashion this summer with most stores having a reasonable range. Marks & Spencer's probably have the best collection and as most women know, a sarong is a definite must on the beach or the beach bar in the sun-kissed tropics.

Now, if we could only find a holiday to match the sarong!

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