WHAT, are you still going around on a pair of roller blades? They may be popular but don't you know that they're now completely passe (terribly summer 1994, darling) and shouldn't be seen anywhere except on the feet of very young children who really couldn't be expected to know any better? For goodness sake, dump those blades at once; this summer, the smartest - the only - way to get around is on a Vespa motor scooter.
Still the biggest selling and best known vehicle of its kind in the world 15 million bikes sold globally, the Vespa this year celebrates 50 years since first being put into production in Florence and its parent company Piaggio has recently being taken over by Giovanni Agnelli, scion of the world's most famous motoring dynasty. In the 1950s, it epitomised the glamour of post war Italy (think of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck dashing about on a Vespa in 1953's Roman Holiday) and with fashion's current climate of nostalgia, the scooter has returned to favour as a chic form of transport. So smart is it at the moment that earlier this year the world's most successful shoe maker Patrick Cox has produced his own limited edition black and white machine.
While it's hard to come across a second hand Vespa (like all good vintage vehicles, they change hands very irregularly and with great secrecy), you can still buy a new scooter from this country's main dealer, Jack Nolan. The latest model on the market, the PX80 sells for £1,995 or, with an electric starter £2,045 (the sportier 25T5 is priced at £2,095). You truly want to look cool? Then get yourself one of these little beauties now.