When it comes to the office, the pressure to look smart, together and well-pressed is the very least your boss or co-workers are going to expect. Fair enough, but finding a way to express your own style as well simply adds to the pressure first thing in the morning. A capsule wardrobe – picking a palette of coordinating colours and complementary shapes – is the short cut to an easier life.

It’s also the best way to maximise your clothes budget. The more you plan, the less room there will be in your wardrobe for those random purchases that somehow never make it off the hanger. Putting your own capsule together ensures you get off to the best start each day and means that your look is entirely yours.

Making the most of your wardrobe begins with versatile separates. Of course we’re here to entice you with our gorgeous Lovestretch collections (see above for one selection) but in reality you will be pulling your look from other sources too so go for simple, universal shapes in classic colours as your base. Camel, navy, grey or black are ideal background colours because they also work with one another.  The smart addition of a stand-out colour will transform a classic outfit and make it special. In addition, you can maintain the basics from one season to the next and simply change your highlight colour, or add a coordinating print, to create a perpetual, interesting wardrobe.

The Lovestretch look is all about versatile, stretch pieces and this is no bad place to start. Jersey is an ideal layering fabric (light and bulk-free) and a carefully edited selection can prove to be endlessly useful. A simple cami, for example, is potentially a base layer, a filler under a jacket, a sporty piece worn over a long sleeve tee or an evening top when worn with a statement necklace or earrings.

In general the best office basic capsule comprises: jacket, trousers, simple dress, leggings, shirt, cami, tee, long-sleeve tee, skirt, fine sweater or cardigan and a scarf. Simply pick one or two complimentary basic shades, a feature colour pulled through in two pieces and you’re away.