Seven steps to your most stylish winter wardrobe ever

What is the key to an easy life? It’s getting everything working together. Victoria Moss shows you how to get the most out of what’s on the high street now

Being out on the retail front line (you might call it a mall) can feel like an assault on all the senses – and not necessarily in a good way. Now that the weather has finally taken a turn to the chill, you may have run an eye over your winter stalwarts and found that some are in need of updating. Where to start, when the high street is currently behaving like a suitor desperate for a third date? The pleading, the promises that it has exactly what you need, while you’re looking across the shop floor and thinking, you really don’t…

The other day, I took a turn around M&S, which is possibly the most harshly judged store out there. And, yes, you do need to instigate a slightly blinkered focus (let’s gloss over the diamanté-dotted leggings). But I defy any woman to go in and not find something brilliant. There is a particularly good grey check coat, lovely and chunky, in a soft wool mix, for £99.

It’s the dresses that really seduced me, though. If you’re into the current vogue for a flattering midi, printed, wear-itanywhere number, you’ll be in heaven. I found a very pretty drop-waist design (it runs large to size fit) in black with a delicate lilac/purply floral print for £45. It’s ideal for weekend or work, so I’m going to live in it. And because it’s drop-waisted, it suits a loose jumper over the top and allows a jacket to fit over neatly.

What was most cheering about being in dear old Marks and Sparks is that their winter collection still looks as great as it did when I saw it at their press day earlier in the year. But M&S is not the only store in strong style shape: see below for the items that should see you through myriad winter occasions, and hopefully mesh with what you already own. A couple of tweaks are sometimes all it takes.

The dress they’re all wearing

Now, perhaps you wouldn’t have pegged a chartreuse, pussybow, midi-length dress as the hit of the season, but this baby is fast gaining traction across the narcissists’ paradise that is Instagram. Don’t let that put you off, though: it’s a gorgeous dress, in a silky-light fabric that skims well over the skirt. The top could be too fusty for the busty (a personal call), but the delicate print (it’s actually a teensy floral, but gives a clever leopard-ish effect) gives the colour enough depth to suit a variety of complexions. It’s machine washable. I’d wear it with a chunky boot and cosy knit cardigan.

Swap your jeans for cords

Corduroy is one of those fabrics that splits opinion. My mother seemed aghast at the very concept, but I guess things were tough in the Seventies. However, I’m a great fan, ideally of a pin cord. Jumbo, for me, isn’t that flattering, but those lighter of thigh may disagree. This

Jigsaw pair (left) are very chic, and the

narrow-cut leg works with lots of shoe/boot options. Equally, you could add in a silk blouse and a heel and go out to dinner (you could!). If you want something wider cut, see Toast, which has a great slightly cropped pair (£125, toa.st). Even if you don’t like cords, try Toast anyway

– I’m completely obsessed with its winter collection, from denim apron dresses to smock shirting and A-line

(cord) skirts.

Classics with just enough panache.

Ergo: ideal. Boots built to last Dark red, mockcroc lace-ups, £139, KG (kurtgeiger.com)

Mock croc is having a resurgence, which I’m all for. These boots (pictured top right) are quite the thing – elegant enough to wear when you need to up the ante a bit, but also flat, comfortable and great with jeans/cords/ dresses/skirts… They are ideal compromise boots if you usually favour a Chelsea style but can’t get on with the really heavy options around. Plus the subtly red-tinged hue is quite lovely.

Style up your statement skirt Dandelion-print skirt, £119 (whistles.com)

Sometimes a piece just jumps out, and I love the sharp print of this skirt, which would look strong tempered with a dark jumper on top, or you could highlight the creamy tones by going with something paler. Again, you could wear this dressed up or down and get lots of use out of it. Plus I’m sure it would make you smile every time you popped it on, which sometimes really is the best sartorial tonic during a long winter. The 18-hour coat Long herringbone wool coat, £225 (cosstores.com) I’m a big believer in having an army of coats, but you might have other (more sensible) ideas. If you want to update yours, and need it to work for most occasions, then this Cos number (left) scores highly. Single-breasted means it’s not too fussy and won’t jar if you’ve got something busy on underneath. The slightly flecked (and not too dark) grey will match a wide spectrum of everything. It’s long enough to smarten up jeans and skim a midi dress. It’s also made from a good, thick wool and should last a few winters at least without dating.

Stay on top

Check, gathered, tie-neck blouse, £55, Kin ( johnlewis.com) Maybe it’s just me, but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to find stylish, not too pricey tops. Things that aren’t shirts, but are posher/more interesting than a T-shirt. Me+em is a great source for silky blouses and tops, but it can lean more towards a workwear look, which isn’t always what you’re after. Kin – one of John Lewis’s inhouse brands – is a great source of loosely cut, easy-towear pieces with a sharp hit of design detail. This top has a tie at the back of the neck – a sweet detail if you wear your hair up or short. I’d twin it with black trousers at night or jeans in the day for a smart-ish lunch look. An all-round winner in a shallow sea of options.

These trousers will save Christmas Silk pyjama trousers, £79 (arket.com)

I know, I did it, I used the C word. But I spied mince pies in the supermarket the other day and wasn’t completely offended… These trousers – note the elasticated waist (pictured left) – will probably allow you to eat as many as you like. They should also make getting trussed up for the dreaded “party season” easy as (mince) pie. Add a sweater for a laid-back look on The Day. Then do a pretty top and a zhushy shoe for when you’re going out-out.