There are so many things fashion writers would have you believe are ‘must have’ items, and we all know they’re usually anything but. A perennial classic, though, is the woolen dress for winter, and its one that at least makes sense year upon year.

This simple but stylish wool shift dress by J. Crew is a chic, pinafore style that’s most likely to be wearably stylish for years to come, if not always. The simple, high necked bodice contrasted with a fuller kneelength skirt, gives a demure look that’s fully grown up past the classroom.

Get it online for $148 from J. Crew.

Rather than buying a shiny or sequinned dress for the upcoming party season, it might be better to buy a dress that can be worn again once the Christmas decorations have come down. This 50s Cocktail Dress from French Connection is perfect as it is dressy enough for parties but simple enough for daytime.

Its cap sleeves and slash neckline make this more demure than the prom dresses currently dominating the high street and make it suitable for day wear too, but it has a scooped back that saves it from being too ordinary.

It costs £120 and can be bought online from ASOS.