The 10 high-street items you need in your capsule work wardrobe to look stylish every day – and they’re all under £50

THE start of September signals more than just the arrival of a new season; it’s also the point when life begins to fall back into its usual routine. The days are getting shorter, darker mornings are slowly creeping in, and that unmistakable autumn chill is on the horizon. September is the perfect time for a wardrobe revamp, says Emily Regan Credit: Lorna Roach After months of the hottest summer on record, with lighter evenings and summer holidays, reality is calling, and for most of us, it’s time to get back to business. The suitcases have officially been unpacked, and the kids are officially back to school; it’s time to swap beach days and barbecues for school runs, packed lunches and busy days back in the office. And of course, a change in the season means a change to our wardrobes. The dreaded wardrobe switchout will soon be overdue, as we say goodbye to floaty summer dresses and welcome knitwear and trousers back into our workwear rotations. But pulling out your autumn wardrobe isn’t always quite as exciting as it sounds; the prospect of layering up again can feel slightly sombre – particularly when you’re faced with the same selection as last year. With the cost of living still putting pressure on household budgets, and the rising cost of clothes on the high street, the idea of splashing out on an entirely new workwear wardrobe seems rather expensive, and for some, pretty unrealistic. Add the expenses of the summer holidays, days out and, for parents, the inevitable back-to-school uniform bill into the mix, and for most, there may not be much left in the pot for a seasonal shopping spree. Looking stylish and polished at work doesn’t have to mean spending a small fortune. With a little savvy shopping, it’s possible to build a hardworking workwear wardrobe that’ll take you effortlessly from Monday through to Friday. The secret is choosing versatile staples that can be mixed, matched and styled in different ways, giving you plenty of outfit combinations from just a handful of key pieces. And the best part? You may already have some of these wardrobe heroes. With more than 10 years’ experience as a fashion stylist, Lauren Goodwin-Grafton knows exactly how to make clothes work harder. She’s put the new-season high street to the test, picking out 10 stylish and versatile pieces, all under £50 each, that can be transformed into five different office-ready looks. From clever layering to mixing unexpected combinations, these are the pieces that prove you don’t need a huge wardrobe (or a huge budget) to look effortlessly polished from 9-5. Blazer, £49, trouser, £39, both River Island; shirt, £25.99, New Look; bag, £30, Next; heels, £16, Primark Credit: Lorna Roach A hard-working trouser suit is a wardrobe essential, and wearing the pieces as a co-ord instantly creates a polished, put-together look. The matching set takes the guesswork out of getting dressed, making it an easy option for busy mornings when you still want to look stylish. Instead of reaching for the usual black or grey, give your autumn wardrobe a lift with a rich burgundy hue. The boxy tailoring of the blazer gives the suit a modern edge, while the nipped-in waist helps define your shape and creates the illusion of longer legs. Balloon trousers have been everywhere this season, and this pair offers a more structured take on the trend. The tapered ankle gives more shape than traditional wide leg styles.A white shirt is another wardrobe workhorse that will earn its keep beyond Monday to Friday. Wear it with jeans at the weekend for a more casual look, or add a French tuck to the tailoring for a relaxed take on office dressing. LOOK 2 Jumper, £25, jeans £32, both Very.co.uk; bag, £30, Next; heels, £16, Primark Credit: Lorna Roach Working in an office can mean navigating a whole range of temperatures, particularly during the cooler months. It might be crisp and chilly outside, only for the train to be hot and stuffy, before arriving at an office where the air conditioning never seems to be quite right. That’s why a short-sleeved knit is a piece to invest in for tackling those ever-changing temperatures. This one from Very has a chic scarf-tie detail around the neckline, which adds a stylish twist and keeps the look feeling modern without being too fussy. It’s the kind of subtle detail that makes a simple knit feel far more considered. And yes, jeans can absolutely work for the office. Opt for a darker denim wash, which instantly feels more polished and lends itself to smarter styling. A straight-leg cut has a more structured silhouette than relaxed or baggier styles; reserve these for the weekend. Every office outfit needs a reliable bag; this structured tote is roomy enough for your laptop, notebook and daily essentials, while the croc-effect finish gives this high street steal a more premium feel. Look 3 Blazer, £49, River Island; shirt, £25.99, New Look; skirt, £40, Marks & Spencer; bag, £30, Next; heels, £16, Primark Credit: Lorna Roach Basics don’t have to be boring, and adding a print into your workwear rotation is one of the easiest ways to upgrade a simple office look. Checks are set to be big news again this season, and if anyone can convince us to embrace the pattern, it’s Claudia Winkleman. Her instantly recognisable outfits on The Traitors have cemented checks as a fashion favourite, and with the new series returning soon, the high street is already awash with checked pieces. Team this floaty checked skirt with the classic white shirt, keeping the rest of the outfit simple so the print does all the talking, and layer with the structured blazer over the top to balance the softer silhouette of the skirt. Don’t underestimate the power of a visible cuff; the flash of white breaks up the darker colours, adding contrast and giving the whole look a more polished finish. When it comes to office footwear, ditch the sky-high heels for something more practical. A kitten heel is the perfect compromise, giving you that ‘BOSS’ look without leaving you hobbling home. This Primark pair are surprisingly comfy, too, making them ideal for busy days spent commuting and rushing between meetings. LOOK 4 Dress, £36, Marks & Spencer; shirt, £25.99, New Look; bag, £30, Next; heels, £16, Primark Credit: Lorna Roach When it comes to office dresses, the column silhouette is one of the easiest styles to get right. Its long, straight shape creates a sleek look without being too fitted or fussy, making it smart enough for the 9-5 while still feeling comfortable enough for a full day at your desk. Unlike a maxi dress, it won’t overwhelm your frame, while the midi length is long enough for office dress codes, without draping across the floor. Its simple, streamlined cut makes it easy to layer without feeling bulky, while still keeping the overall look smart and polished. With its sleeveless and collarless design, this M&S dress is particularly versatile for navigating the tricky change between seasons. While it’s still relatively mild, wear it alone, but when temperatures drop, it’s a great layering piece. Add the crisp white shirt underneath for a slightly more preppy look with the collar peeking neatly over the neckline or layer the coat over the top when you need an extra layer during your commute. LOOK 5 Coat, £48, TU at Sainsburys; jumper, £25, Very.co.uk; skirt, £40, Marks & Spencer; bag, £30, Next; heels, £16, Primark Credit: Lorna Roach When it comes to choosing a coat for the office, it’s easy to play it safe with neutral or darker shades to go with everything in your wardrobe. But there’s no need to sacrifice style for practicality, especially when the right outerwear can do both. This TU longline coat is a fuss-free option for busy mornings, with a simple single-breasted design that makes it easy to throw on and go. The longer length adds extra coverage for chilly commutes. The rich ochre shade is what really makes this coat stand out, bringing a welcome hit of colour to your workwear wardrobe without feeling too bold or difficult to style. It works particularly well with the browns, greys and neutral tones that dominate autumn, making it far more versatile than you might expect. And when it comes to getting more from your workwear, mixing and matching is key. Pair the printed skirt with the sleeveless jumper for an entirely different combination, creating a fresh look from pieces you’ve already worn earlier in the week. Gen Z have recently rediscovered the trend of knowing your colour type. And Fabulous‘ Deputy Fashion Editor Abby McHale, goes back to the original colour consultancy to check hers out. “My wardrobe looks like a rainbow has exploded in it. You name a colour and I’m pretty sure I’ll have something that shade in there. And while I do like a neutral, I’m certainly not afraid of going bright. That said, I have no clue what colours actually ‘suit’ me. So with colour analysis filters now popping up all over TikTok, I am intrigued. But this is far from a new phenomenon. In fact, the trend first exploded in the late Seventies with Colour Me Beautiful, the seminal book on the subject by highly regarded colour consultant Carole Jackson. Decades later, the Colour Me Beautiful movement is still going strong, with 220 consultants around the country, though they now categorise people as light, deep, warm, cool, clear or soft. I make an appointment (£160 for 90 minutes) with colour consultant Angi Jones to test it out, and I found the whole experience great. She tells me gold is my go-to for jewellery, blush pink, ruby red and warmer blues are my winning colours, and to steer clear of cooler tones as they emphasise the bluey undertones of my under-eye circles. Getting your colours done is an investment that will last decades. Once you know yours you will never go wrong again.”