Mode, basiques

The key to looking great with very little effort lies in having a set of good staples you can mix and match with anything, any way you want. If you're missing any of these, you know what you have to do: get shopping!   

Black trousers
Well-cut black trousers go with anything and are renowned for being forgiving on lumps and bumps. Wear them with a jacket at work, with a silk top for evening, or with a tunic for an up-to-the-minute look.

Jeans
They have to suit your shape, put your best bits on show and hide the bits you'd rather forget about. When you find that perfect pair that suit all your kinks, buy them in bulk! 

A little black dress 
A classic LBD suits all shapes and sizes and brings effortless chic to any outfit.  

A trench coat
Lauren Bacall, Jane Birkin and countless other fashion icons swear by their trusty trench coats. Go for a colour that's eady to match, such as beige, and don't forget to wear a belt with it. Mid-length trenches or ones that stop just above the knee are best. 

A three-quarter length coat
A handy investment that will last you a good few winters. Go for a classic straight cut, with a slightly nipped waist.  

A white blouse
Wear it over jeans, loose trousers, with a high-waisted skirt and pretty much anything. It should be fairly long, with quite a firm collar and sleeves and fairly thick cotton that isn't too transparent. Be careful when you wash it because it's easy to turn a white blouse grey.

A cashmere V-neck sweater
Some like to nick their boyfriend's, but it's always handy to have your own. V-necks are feminine and classy but keep you warm and comfy. A black or beige sweater is always handy and versatile.

A gilet
Practical over a dress or worn to dress up a plain top, a gilet can also be sexy if it reveals a bit of décolleté, and this works well on small chests too!

Silk tops
Silk blouses, shirts and tops in a selection of colours are essential. Nothing brings a but of colour and pep to a smart outfit better than a silk top.

Vest tops
You can never have too many in too many colours. They show off good shoulders and can be worn under an open shirt, under a jumper or a risqué see-through top, over a shirt to liven it up a bit or layered on top of another one.