Here’s how to master dressy knitwear – and it doesn’t involve a twinset or pearls. Starch the collar of a white tuxedo shirt before popping it beneath a midnight-blue sweater. Cinching your waist, either with a leather-look tie or artful length of ribbon, will add ladylike finesse to the look.    

Turquoise Cable Knit With Embellished Neckline, £29, sizes 8-20; White Short Sleeve Shirt, £22, sizes 8-20; Navy Tie Belt, £12; Black Fringed Pencil Skirt, £48, sizes 4-18, all at www.dorothyperkins.com

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Layer upon layer of knitwear must be the sartorial equivalent of cold weather comfort food. The most flattering technique we’ve come across is squeezing a bright polo neck beneath a tunic, preferably a knitted one cut on the boxy side and rendered in a similarly eye-popping shade.

Silk Cotton Polo Neck Jumper in Berry Red, £79, sizes XS-L, www.jigsaw-online.com; Colour Block Crepe Dress, £129, sizes 8-14; www.jigsaw-online.com

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Build up the texture of winter warmers by working a colour co-ord with your sweater and scarf. Hobbs has the high-street’s best examples – you can choose a collar of chocolate shearling or a ribbed and tasselled knee-brusher – probably because both are paired with swooshing sequined skirts and burnished brogues.

Left: Cable Sweater, £199, sizes S-XL; Sherling Scarf in Chocolate, £199; Richmond Skirt, £199, sizes 8-18; Agatha Brogue in Bronze Leather, £179, sizes 35-42. Right: Rue Rib Roll Neck, £99, sizes S-XL; Fringe Knit Scarf Charcoal Wool-Blend, £59; Chelsea Sequin Flare Skirt, £199, sizes 8-18; Agatha Brogue in Pewter Leather, £179, sizes 35-42, all at www.hobbs.co.uk

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A chunky polo neck will look infinitely more chic with a shawl elegantly slung around the shoulders. M&S’ version is all the more luxe for its pared back palette of beige and grey gradations.

M&S Collection Jumper, £35, sizes 8-22; Autograph Trouser, £45, sizes 8-22; M&S Collection Wrap, £39.50; Bag, £45; Shoe, £49.50, all at www.marksandspencer.com

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Dries Van Noten clashed jumpers fizzing in loud geometric patterns with skirts and culottes splashed in equally shouty prints. Join their zany tribe by mixing River Island’s zebra sweater or Next’s striped jumper with jacquard cigarette pants or a quilted skirt.  

Clockwise from top right: Orange Metallic Animal Knit Jumper, £45, sizes 6-18, www.riverisland.com; Boxy Sweater in Grey and Orange Colourblock, £20, sizes 6-22, www.next.co.uk

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Despite early reservations – much the same as double denim – it’s time to embrace colourful co-ords. If you need convincing, look no further than Jill Sander’s autumn/winter show – a study in easygoing elegance and featuring separates in precisely the same pigments. COS is the shop to mine for knitwear pieces that have the option of an other half. Try this turmeric-yellow polo neck and wool trouser combo.  

Roll-Neck Cashmere Jumper, £115, sizes XS-L, www.cosstores.com; Loose-Fit Wool Trousers, £89, sizes 34-44, www.cosstores.com

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Knitwear needn’t be restricted to your daytime wardrobe. Follow Jonathan Saunders’ lead for evening excursions by slipping a diaphanous silk skirt under a loose-fitting knit. Zara’s version excels in easy elegance; just swap the sneakers for silvery heels before the witching hour.   

Long Sweater With Side Slits in Grey, £25.99, S-M, www.zara.com

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The starting point for MaxMara’s autumn/winter show must have been ‘haute librarian’. Mohair cardigans, tweed skirts and structured handbags were all accounted for, but given quiet sex appeal with the addition of sheer tights, gold boots and a pop of berry lipstick. The key is wearing your cardi like a blouse so keep Topshop’s buttoned up, pairing with pencil skirt and mock-croc satchel bag.

Luxe Cocoon Cardigan, £45, sizes 4-16, www.topshop.com; Derocky, £65, www.dunelondon.com

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The sweater dress reigned supreme at Calvin Klein, with sleeveless iterations in charcoal and copper. The weather’s about to get glacial so we’ll keep the sleeves, thanks all the same. Toast has plenty of cosy options, including the Roslyn maxi made of Italian merino and the subtly patterned Anita in a delicious shade of oatmeal.

Clockwise from top left: Roslyn Maxi Dress, £145, sizes 8-18, www.toa.st; Anita Dress in Oatmeal, £145, sizes 8-18; www.toa.st

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10 of the best autumn coats