Give Your Wardrobe a Lift for Autumn

As summer ends it's time to wave goodbye to relaxed flip flops, tees and shorts. They have to return to the back of the wardrobe to be replace with a polished, professional style for work and play.

Tailoring is all the rage this autumn, so give your wardrobe a promotion with this trend.

The skirt suit is back this season, with pencil skirts grazing the knees teamed with belted matching jackets. This look was big business on the catwalks at Prada, Lanvin and LouisVuitton.

Check out these high street's impressive designer-inspired offerings.

• City girls will get their kicks from the Eighties-style shoulders which have infiltrated the high street.
• Give any working ensemble a new spin with structured shoulders. Sharp shoulders for the office look are boldest in black, but you can still add color with a bright top or blouse. If you favor a more relaxed look at work, you can still do tailoring Stella McCartney-style via this season's slouchy blazers. 
• Work with proportions and team skinny trousers, body-hugging dresses or slim-fit skirts with your boxy blazer to avoid a tent-like look.Your jacket may be oversized but it still needs to fit well across the shoulders and back. 
• Can't stand the thought of flaunting your pins? Turn to trusty trousers. Ankle flashing is all the rage, so opt for cropped slim-fit trousers and team with courts or patent loafers. Or go to the other extreme and try wide baggy pants that skim the floor. 
• A wardrobe crammed with black-on-black may be easy to coordinate in the mornings but it's sure to leave you uninspired about clocking in. Stand out and incorporate some color into your working wardrobe. Blues and purple are good to boost confidence and show your creative side.