Wear with... M&S Limited Collection high waist pencil skirt

Reading the latest issue of Vogue, I was fascinated by an article on work wear. As a result I have been spending quite a lot of time thinking about how you wear work-appropriate clothes and still retain any individual style.

It's hard enough if you work in relatively creative spheres such as marketing or media but I really pity city girls and lawyers. Suits and more suits - I say this from one remove of course, I have no way of knowing except from my limited observation.

Anyway, with the work wear issue firmly in mind, I've chosen this M&S pencil-skirt. It's the business, obviously, but it's also got that subtle sexiness that makes it anything but drab and boring. Perfect for working a day to night look

Working day...

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Topshop blouse, £35; Schuh courts, £49.99; Jasper Conran bag, £65

Take one pencil skirt, add a grown-up blouse with bit of character and colour, team with a substantial bag and subtle shoes... You look work ready and stylish. I just have to mention that I adore this bag from Jasper Conran at Debenhams, chick, affordable and big enough to fit your files in. Result.

... and night

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River Island Cami, £24.99; Kurt Geiger shoes, £160; Dorothy Perkins clutch, £15

Let out your in inner Jessica Rabbit by adding some va va voom. Keep the skirt, add a sexy cami, and cute shoes (my first choice would be peep toes, but in the absence of those, these Kurt Gieger numbers with the delicious red heels are more than up to the task). Add a dainty bag in a bold colour, this season it's all about the clutch (I've chosen red. Plus ca change).

See: Five of the best... pencil skirts