China played host to John Galliano and all his sherbert-coloured creations as Dior's new flagship boutique was opened this week in Shanghai. We thought, why not get in on it by dressing the part?

How can we describe the Dior lady? She's distinctly feminine, with a touch of playful youth and plenty of womanly va-va-voom. If Barbie were a (well-off) real person she'd be clad in Dior's top-to-toe pink with bouffant hair. Galliano's collections can be counted on to hark back to the 20s, 30s and 40s, always a little bit retro but still fresh and mouth-wateringly appealing. You can expect citrus yellows and bubblegum pink; dramatic make-up and fantastic headgear, not to mention the occasional Orient-inspired masterpiece.

So how to dress like a living Galliano doll?

Retro Glamour

The Dior A/W '09 show was filled with 1920s Shanghai-inspired creations; coats with fur collars and cuffs, chinese knots and flapper hairdos.

H&M has a cream charleston dress for RMB249, which would look dapper with a feather headband for RMB49.90 (also H&M). Wear with some cream-coloured knotted strappy heels for RMB399 (previously cited in our Racey Lacey post). If you really want to go to town, newly-opened Oasis in The Gate City Mall has an ostrich feather shrug for RMB999 in white or pink.

Flatten your hair with kirby grips/bobby pins, manipulating it into a 20s flapper bob.

The S/S '10 Dior show took us back to 40s Hollywood, where waists were pinched in, skirts were delicate and floaty and lips were bright red.

If this is more your style, get the sheer black blouse (RMB199) from H&M and tuck into Lipsey's Lazer Cut Petal skirt from asos.com (RMB444 approx.) Round it off with some frill top ankle socks and the Saffron strappy sandals, both from Topshop (RMB29 and RMB691 respectively).

Put your hair in rollers and let the Hollywood curls bounce off your shoulders. Wear bright red on your lips.

Jet-set Chic

When the Dior woman wears colour she wears it top to toe. Dior A/W '08 had Barbie written all over it, with huge false lashes and handbags toted in gloved hands.

For all over peach: Zara has some high-waisted shorts for RMB169, Me&City at The Gate has a short-sleeved cardi for RMB159 and H&M's sling backs for RMB199.

For all over canary yellow, French Connection has your entire outfit: shorts (RMB479), 3/4 length sleeve cardigan (RMB439), leather flats (RMB559) and the all-important matching leather handbag for RMB739.

Get false lashes and backcomb your hair.

Accessories

Think jewels. Get several of the faux gem cluster brooches from H&M (RMB49.90) and wear them over a blouse. Their bunch of fruit hairclip (also RMB49.90) reminds us of the Diorette rings. Get a load and cover your head in them.

You may think this is all a bit costume-y. This is Dior. It's dressing up in your mum's pearls and heels. It's unabashed glamour. Wear the clothes with aplomb. It's not aggressive, but it is fierce.