Workwear UK fashion editors love

But that doesn't mean you have to spend a huge chunk of your salary every month in order to keep your wardrobe up to date.

The smartest, most sustainable way to approach dressing for work is to build a capsule wardrobe, a handful of easy pieces underpinned by a shared palette or aesthetic for easy mixing and matching.

Avoid anything too trendy or try hard, it will date within months, while a sensible pair of black or navy trousers - boring though they might seem - can be worn for years if well made and well cared for.

That doesn't mean you can't have fun - look for subtle detailing, patterns that won't date, colours that don't scream too loud. These are items you'll want to wear in heavy rotation for at least two years.

And if you're really bored, play with accessories, jewellery and hair accessories as a way to have a bit of fun with your look.

Items that are trans-seasonal are best. Loose silk or cotton dresses can be worn with sandals in the summer, then layered over a fine knit or heat tech and boots in the winter.

Trousers more your thing? Look for styles that could accommodate an ankle boot come autumn.

As certain high street brands grow ever more popular, looking like a clone of your colleagues is an understandable concern, but you needn't max out your credit card on designer brands.

Scroll down for the brilliant high street and independents offering affordable office outfits that will take the pain out of Monday mornings.

Clockwise from left: Maida dress £159, Merton blouse £89, Messina printed dress £149, Alberte skirt £59, Holly camisole £49

Clockwise from left: Shirt £120 (in store August), Dress £110, Silk satin top £98, Linen skirt £98, Arah heel £119

Clockwise from left: Colorados dress £375, Long Peonie dress £350, Kiki jumper £200, Neli dress £425

Clockwise from left: Cotton linen dress £180, Chevron print top £130; Wide-leg trousers £150, Wrap jacket £175

Clockwise from left: Tie-waist top £69 and Cropped trousers £79 , Check top £69; Chaen dress £89, Lila sandals £59, Kaftan top £69

Clockwise from left: Sleeveless jacket £69 and trousers £45, Single breasted jacket £75, Cropped trousers £49, Midi dress £56, Animal top £35

Clockwise from left: Cargo shirt dress £299, Olive silk top £119, Polka dot dress £299, Mid-rise trousers £129, High-rise skirt £119

Clockwise from left: Linen blazer £119, Silk shirt £64.95, Belted jumpsuit £99.95, Straight-fit cropped trousers £69.95, Tan sandals £69.95