Joan Collins does glamour: how to dress like a style icon

To say this shot of Joan at Heathrow in 1989 is overwhelmed with style pointers is an understatement of personalised-luggage proportions. The first lesson we'd want Joan to teach us: how to perfect the sidewards glance in a hat with a smile that is icy, smug and friendly all at once. Oh Joan, you evil genius. Joan might say: 'Darling, white for a flight is divine. Jogging bottoms on a jet is just a nonsense' Photograph: Dennis Stone/Rex Features

Seriously, who can rival Queen Joan Collins on the jazzy-shoulder front? Even when she's not padded up, the humble shoulder is still the statement-maker. This frock is truly a case in point with puffy, netted shoulders that look a bit like a pair of crows that have set up a nest. Or maybe they're just designed to match her hair? Joan might say: 'Glamour takes time darling, don't underestimate the power of an immaculately painted nail' Photograph: A Spelling/Everett /Rex Features

Co-ordination is key for JC, the anti-mismatch gal. This monochrome suiting escapade – loving that contrast jacket trim – is totally a case in point. If you think you've seen this look, with chunky earring and super-combed-up high-hair, more recently, you have - on Pauline Prescott. Joan might say: 'Darling, echo the shape of your hair with the shape of your jacket' Photograph: Sportsphoto Ltd/Allstar

JC is serious about headgear – it's like a mantra: 'I must give good hair and if I don't, I will give good hat.' Back in the day, she was all about femme fatale netted numbers, but in her continual effort to keep out of direct sunlight, an oversized brim has become her go-to hat option. Mind you, the turban is surely ripe for revival and if anyone can bring it back, Joan can. Of course, she'd expect nothing less than a classic statement-red lip and an arched brow. Joan might say: 'For trips abroad, or for accessorising with a gold slingback, nothing beats a turban, darling' Photograph: Rex Features/Rex Features

Joan adores a tonged hairdo - when have you ever seen her with hair that says: 'Whoopsy, I just fell out of my four poster?' She'd stamp out that ramshackle, undercut, bedhead-hair look, popular with the current It girl crowd, in a flash. Meanwhile, this outfit has a JC plan that revolves around sparkle – here's the tip, the jewels festooned around your bosom will have even more impact if you throw a jangling earring and a golden egg masquerading as a handbag into the mix. Joan might say: 'The trend for those hulking great It-bags is ghastly and plays havoc with your posture' Photograph: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

You can guess the thinking here: chandelier earrings plus silky satin black ruffle-tiered mega-frock, red lips on a red carpet … it's fine, but isn't there something missing? Hell yeah, we need a great big white fur rug-cum-wrap thing, don't we? Then to highlight this genius piece of last-minute styling, we should fondle said wrap close to our chest like it's a baby lamb. Joan might say: 'Darling, sometimes if you think your outfit needs something extra, it probably does - something furry' Photograph: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage