Strip your wardrobe down to the bare essentials.

Lisa Haynes rounds up the staples that everyone needs in their closet

Trends aren't for everyone. If you find the autumn/winter catwalk-influenced looks taking over the high street right now too faddy and fleeting, go back to basics.

Every wardrobe needs good foundations with hard-working staples that go the distance, whatever the season.

"Staples are the solution to take away those stressful morning wardrobe decisions," says Charlotte Pettican, buying director for Dorothy Perkins, which has just launched a Style Essentials capsule collection.

Versatility is paramount: the beauty of wardrobe staples is that they can be dressed up or down effortlessly.

Take the short cut to a closet with long life by making sure it contains these eight essentials:

THE WHITE T

Every wardrobe needs the perfect white T-shirt, whether you're rock chick, prim and proper or somewhere in between.

Those with bigger busts can benefit from a fitted V-neck T-shirt, while those with tummy concerns should opt for looser-fitting styles in longer lengths.

For evening, a chunky bib necklace will instantly give any white tee a touch of glamour.

SKINNY JEANS

They started out as a fad but now even men have adopted skinny jeans as a wardrobe staple.

For the most flattering skinny, opt for a classic dark blue, or try black if you want your jeans to look more like trousers.

Superdry Superskinny jeans, £44.99 (www.superdry.com)

VERSATILE KNIT

UK heatwaves and Indian summers are pretty infrequent so a knit that keeps you cosy from autumn to spring is a must.

Reserve the zany prints for Christmas parties. If you're going for an investment jumper, look for a plain knit that washes easily to add texture to your outfit.

DAY-TO-NIGHT DRESS

Forget the concept of dividing your dresses between daywear and evening. The best dresses work for both.

A multi-tasking dress will look smart by day but become instantly after-dark-appropriate with a quick switchover of accessories.

Cobalt panel dress, £15 (www.primark.co.uk)

BIKER JACKET

There are countless variations on the biker jacket available from Aztec textured to Crayola brights, but the safe option is always classic black leather. It will go with just about everything in your wardrobe, from pretty dresses to casual jeans. The fit of is all-important to ensure it has pride of place in your wardrobe for years to come. Try on different styles to find the most flattering silhouette.

SAVVY SHIRT

Blouses and shirts shouldn't be confined to officewear. They work equally as well with a pair of trusty jeans as with a pencil skirt. If you prefer a smart look, seek out chiffon or silk blouses in soft tonal colours like cream or blush pink. Design details like pussy bow necklines and billowing sleeves will up the feminine factor. For a more androgynous feel, try a white shirt in crisp cotton for a more structured aesthetic.

Smart Blazer

A dark blazer in black or navy has effortless French sophistication written all over it.

Avoid fancy lapel details and keep the look clean, classic and timeless.

LEATHER SKIRT

This is an investment piece so choose a neutral colour that mixes in with the rest of your wardrobe effortlessly; black, brown, navy and burgundy are no-brainer classic hues.