With the new season heralding a change in climes, it’s time to get down to serious fashion business. Summer may be over, but that doesn’t mean you can let the temperatures drop when it comes to your workwear wardrobe.

Stylist Kelvin Barron explains how you can adapt your existing closet with a few little tweaks, to embrace this season’s key trends.

“Set your own rules and stick to what you’re comfortable with,” Barron advises. “Officewear can be quite regimented, so you need to evolve and create your own sense of style.

“You can adapt your existing spring/summer wardrobe by incorporating layering and adding chic trench coats and tights. And instead of the slouchy T-shirt you wore in spring, swap this for a woolly top.”

Tailored clothing doesn’t have to be all about drab suits and plain shirts. Kelvin Barron suggests bringing some life and personality into office-wear. “When buying a suit, opt for vibrant colours to stand out from the crowd. Plain shirts can be given life with print pencil skirts and monochrome trousers.”

If you wear standard dark suits and skirts, Kelvin recommends adding statement accessories to make the look younger and more fresh.

To achieve the androgynous look, take it a step further with smart shoes and sharp two-piece. “Androgyny can look powerful in the office,” says Kelvin. “Think pinstripe blazers with short-sleeved shirts and studded brogues.”

Metallics have transcended from spring/summer to the new season, and Kelvin is gunning for glints of metal in the office. “A metallic blouse has connotations of being powerful and strong, which is great for an office environment,” he says.

If you’re a girly girl at heart and prefer the feminine touch, try softening sharp, structured styles with mellow hues. “Baby blues, mint greens, delicate peaches and soft pinks are colours you will be familiar with from your spring/summer wardrobe, but these can easily adapt for the new season.

“Soft tones are the perfect way to liven up your autumn/winter wardrobe which is typically dominated by dark colours.”

If power suits don’t work for you, it’s time to think beyond the office, and Kelvin advises looking to your animal instincts for inspiration.

“Animal print is great for an office environment – it screams feisty and hard-working,” he says. “But I would advise muted accessories to keep things serious.” Or, for more sophistication, unleash your wild side through the accents of your outfit. Think serpentine clutches, lizard-scale cuffs and exotic heels.

Heritage style prints, stripes and tartans are also key pieces to be stored in the autumn/winter wardrobe. “Tartan blouses can liven up a pair of fitted black trousers, and for the super-confident, try clashing prints,” says Kelvin.

Florals are a great way to embrace femininity and diversify your fashion portfolio. “Floral prints are the ultimate when it comes to looking ‘ladylike’ and are also amazing for the autumn/winter season - think pencil skirts with boxy blouses, statement collars and chic courts,” says Barron.

A job well begun is half done – now to find the perfect shoes. Boots and pumps speak office chic, but if you want a touch of catwalk glamour, dig out those sleek heels. “A cigarette heel gives an outfit edge and adds subtle sex appeal. This is the ultimate in power dressing and can really liven up a simple black trouser suit,” says Kelvin.

“For an effortless vibe, go for luxe gold metallic shoes. Whether you opt for embellished pumps or stilettos, these shoes take you from plain to polished in minutes.”

“The ultimate necessity this season is a fabulous winter coat, so blow the budget on this and bring variation to the look with colourful scarves, brooches and luxe leather gloves,” says Kelvin.

One of the trends that stood out at the London Fashion Week was a belt-cinched waist; Kelvin suggests embracing the glamorous, grown-up trend in style. “A skinny belt over your winter coat is the ultimate in office chic – particularly bow belts,” he says.

Tuxedo jackets, double-breasted trench coats and cardigans are also great investment pieces that will see you through winter. “Instead of looking at light materials, think of heavier fabrics such as velvets and tweed,” advises Barron.