I have witnessed at close proximity how the most stylish women in the world manage to look effortlessly chic, some well into their eighties. Invest in a few of these failsafe pieces & you will have a basic skeleton wardrobe which you can then add to & personalise in your own way. I recommend starting with:

The Winter coat - in navy, charcoal, camel or black. Should be good quality, warm, stylish & comfortable. Definitely worth spending some money on as it will be seen more than any other item in your wardrobe, and should last for years if you look after it.

Little black dress - a cliché but it really is an invaluable piece to have. Should be timeless, flattering & subtle, and must be in a lovely fabric. Dress up or down with jewellery & accessories, depending on the occasion. Guaranteed to make you look beautiful.

White shirt - universally flattering to all skin tones and an easy piece to wear. Choose a style according to your look- fitted & crisp or a softer relaxed tunic shape. Make sure that you replace it as soon as it starts to look less than perfect though.

Trousers - difficult to get right but a wardrobe staple. Stick to darker colours as they are more flattering, and opt for a shape that flatters your body, whether that is narrow & fitted or wide leg. Consider what kind of footwear you will wear with them.

Knitwear - cardigans are the modern day alternative to formal jackets, but must be made from good wool- ideally cashmere. If you stick to a fairly neutral palette you will also be able to wear them over smarter dresses or jeans. A useful multi tasking item!

Dresses - a wool tunic dress is smart in the winter as is a wrap dress in the summer. Once you have found a shape that suits you (tunic, shift, wrap or belted), you can wear it to the office, for dinner or just as an alternative to jeans.

Jeans - everyday wear for most of us, but infuriatingly difficult to get right! The right pair can knock years off, give you an amazing bum & are worth hunting down. If you know where to look, you shouldn’t need to spend a fortune on them either.

Belted trenchcoat - in classic camel. Perfect for the spring, summer & autumn as it is lightweight & chic as well as hugely practical. If you are worried that a knee length version will swamp you, opt for a shorter length but make sure that it is belted to accentuate your waist.

Workwear - the traditional fitted jacket & pencil skirt look has been replaced by a more modern, relaxed dresscode in most offices. Try a belted shift dress with a cropped jacket, or wide leg trousers with a silk blouse and use jewellery to make the look less corporate.

Accessories - you can afford to be less conservative with your accessories in terms of colour & shape as these will keep your wardrobe looking current. Invest in a beautiful leather bag, stylish boots, some great flats & sexy heels, and you will look pulled together & chic, whatever the occasion.