With Scotland's disappointing summer coming to an end, the high street has been particularly quick this year to fill window displays with autumn collections.

A favourite season for many, autumn always sees a change in term of colour and style, and gives us the ideal opportunity to look again at our work wardrobe.

And for those who want to smarten up their look, the shops are full of gorgeous skirts, suits and day dresses that’ll make you feel confident and feminine, whether it’s a key meeting, an all-day conference, or a job interview.

Having a couple of smart classics is a must for most, and investing in some key items that fit well, will last for years and can be mixed and matched is always a good idea.

Fenn Wright Mason and Damsel in a Dress specialise in this market, and both labels have just released their latest collections, which are available now at House of Fraser and John Lewis.

Damsel in a Dress’s new Snow Leopard dress is a good example. Priced at £149, it has an exclusive print and beautiful, cut that will flatter most body shapes. It’s also the ideal dress for moving from day to evening – a quick change of shoes and accessories will see you easily shift from office to cocktails.

Elsewhere, the label’s NYC skirt, £89, matches beautifully with the black knit cut-out Vested Interest top, £109, for an elegant but fashionable look.

Fenn Wright Mason, meanwhile, has been dressing women for the office for more than 40 years. These are clothes that are built to last and sophisticated enough in their styling to mature with you. If you are lucky, you can pick up pieces at TK Maxx at a discount, as well as the usual big department stores.

The new collection features a host of such classics, such as the grey Skylar dress and Willow jacket, both priced £169.

The matching Adrianna skirt and jacket, at £89 and £149 respectively, are also great long terms buys, with smart, feminine tailoring that will never go out of fashion.