Hands up if you pour over the red carpet paparazzi shots in the fashion mags.

Those glamorous gowns, sparkling diamonds and oh-so perfect styling are often worthy of a fashion Oscar.

But for every approving tick next to a celebrity's name, there's also the big fat crosses where something's gone horribly wrong - an ill-fitting dress, dodgy hemline or crass accessories that should only be seen in a drag queen's closet.

That's why Caroline Cox, author of How to be Adored: A Girl's Guide to Hollywood Glamour, believes we should revert back to the old school style of red carpet dressing.

Forget Britney, Paris and Jordan, Caroline looks to the style ingredients of screen sirens like Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe and Brigitte Bardot.

Her red carpet rule book is simple: "Don't dress like a celebrity, dress like a star."

If you're dressing to impress over the party season, take on board some style advice from Sophia Loren who once said: "A women's dress should be like a barbed-wire fence. Serving its purpose without obstructing the view."

Be the belle of the Christmas ball and fashion yourself into a red carpet goddess.

Follow the secrets of the Hollywood icon you most familiarise with and embrace some old-school glamour.

The Audrey Hepburn

Audrey's lithe ballerina body was made for fashion - elegant with a tiny waist and small bust.

"Like Audrey, you should emphasise your slenderness for dramatic effect," Caroline advises.

Do: Wear a little black untrimmed shift dress that will outline your figure plus a string of pearls to show off your graceful neck as Audrey did in Breakfast At Tiffany's.

Don't: Wear body-con Herve Leger-style stretch bandage minis - you don't have the curves to fill them!

Try: Joy black bow detail shift dress, £60; Phase Eight Coco shift dress, £110; Accessorize pearl necklace, £15.

The Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was the ultimate hourglass icon. This buxom shape dominated the Fifties when women were celebrated for their voluptuous curves.

"With this body type, it's all about looking drop dead gorgeous and devastatingly sexy," Caroline says.

Do: Go for the full glamour effect. Think Fifties burlesque - wiggle dresses, stilettos, prom dresses and cascades of petticoats.

Don't: Wear minis, you will risk looking tarty - a pencil skirt a la Marilyn will give you instant va-va voom.

Try: Vivien of Holloway halterneck navy prom dress, £98; Matalan Be Beau black prom dress, £25; Dune Olsen dressy stilettos, £85.

The Katharine Hepburn

The androgynous tomboy shape, like athletic Hepburn, has become the new shape for the gym bunny generation. Think Cameron Diaz and Madonna.

"Sport simple shapes in deluxe fabrics. Georgio Armani and Donna Karan's 'cashmere and diamonds' approach is perfect for you," Caroline suggests.

Do: Wear one-shouldered draped gowns. Your toned shoulders and back are your best assets.

Don't: Wear anything too obviously sexy - toned doesn't go with tarty.

Try: Jane Norman one shoulder jewelled maxi dress, £85; Frank Usher backless gown with pearl trim, £360; Unique Boutique one shoulder fan dress, £175 at Very.

The Mae West

Big, beautiful and glamorous, ubiquitous siren Mae West was rarely seen out of a corset to show off her form-fitting bejewelled gowns.

"Go tight, why not?" Caroline says. "There are some fabulous deluxe labels for the big and beautiful. Look for Ischiko, Oska and Shirin Guild for clothes designed for curves."

Do: Work with the impact of your physical presence. One Hollywood critic described Mae's entrance in a movie as a 'terrific explosion'.

Don't: Always go by the standard label. Certain shapes can go bigger - Vivienne Westwood's jersey draped dresses are renowned among fashionistas for accommodating larger sizes.

Try: Evans green jewelled shift dress, £55; Anna Scholz crepe shift with sequin band, £285; Marisota metal trim maxi dress, from £75.