STYLE SMALL PRINT:FINDING A bag that will look at home both in the office and after hours can be a tricky task, but not an insurmountable one. Think classic shapes and colours with a twist – and don't be overly led by trends. A touch of today's must-have print is great, but put that print all over, and your bag will look dated within minutes. It's also worth investing in real leather and in a sturdy, boxier shape that will look more put-together than your average soft, slouchy tote.

Colour punch satchel, New Look €32.99This is a classic enough shape to work for formal occasions, but the colour will set you apart, and at a price that's hard to beat.

Hard frame bag, €323.52 asos.comThe colour, texture and shape of this bag are utterly timeless. Tie a vintage silk scarf around the handle to "modernise".

Mint green handbag, River Island €47This ladylike bag will mix and match with modern and more classic pieces and it should last, as long as you don't bring it out in the rain too often.

Kristin Spectator tote, Coach €475 at ArnottsThis classic American brand produces bags that wear well and last a long time, and this burgundy beauty will work well for both day and evening.

Taylor oversized satchel, Mulberry, €1,140 from Brown ThomasYou need to really love a bag like this to make such an investment, but the slate grey colour is oh-so chic and it's a label that will date well.

A reader writes...

Hi Rosemary,

I purchased a silk jumpsuit in the summer and wore it only once. I’d love to get some party wear out of it over the coming months, but I cannot bear to go bare. As in feet – I hate the look of freezing girls in sandals on a cold evening – and all our evenings are cold. Any tips on what to wear or should I just toughen up, grin and bear it? I’ve attached a pic of the jumpsuit I bought.

– Heather

Hi Heather,

First things first, congratulations! You are among the 0.5 percentile of Irish women brave enough to buy a jumpsuit – and smart enough to buy a nice one. Your purchase should work perfectly for wintry nights out.

The simplest and most basic solution for you would be to look into socks. Not in a socks-and-sandals tourist kind of way, but in a kooky, Chloe Sevigny or Alexa Chung kind of way. My recommendation would be metallics – Topshop has a great selection of metallic socks (from €7) that would look great with your jumpsuit and would enable you to wear sandals without baring your toes.

If the idea of teaming socks with open-toed sandals fills you with fear, think about ankle boots. There’s a huge selection available at the moment – these lace peep-toe booties from Karen Millen (€240) might present similar bare-feet issues, but really, it’s just your toes and the diamante detail will riff nicely off the detail on your jumpsuit.

Schuh’s glitter-heeled courts (€85) will look great with the similar tones in your jumpsuit, while Office has two pairs in bright colours that would provide a stunning contrast: the Jeffrey Campbells, (€185) are serious showstoppers, while the pink Assymetric Kicks (€115) will draw second glances while being versatile enough to team with dresses and jeans.

If none of those whets your appetite, invest in what are commonly referred to as “pop socks” – socks made of tights material that will leave you cosy and everyone else assuming you’re bare-toed. Marks & Spencer do the best – do not opt for the shimmer – and you’ll get three pairs with change of a tenner. Handwash or pop in a pillowcase in the wash and they’ll last months or at least until you lose one down the back of the radiator.

The big question: JUMPERS OR CARDIGANS?

For years, cardigans have been the go-to when attempting to convert summer clothing – tea dresses and sleeveless vests – to the less forgiving winter climate. But in the past few months, fashion has seen the pendulum swing back towards the 1980s and 1990s, when jumpers over tea dresses were the order of the day and cardigans were the failsafe of ageing grandmothers.

While cardigans now seem sloppy and out of place over more tailored items, jumpers are chic and understated. Wear over a collared shirt for a very preppy vibe; wear with jeans and a knit scarf for a cosy insouciance; or with a glammed-up night-time look as an unexpected twist.

There are few rules when it comes to buying sweaters – but, as with most things, investment will reward you. If you go for the cheaper end of the spectrum, handwashing will save the day, and always dry flat to preserve the shape.

Heavier knits will benefit from being washed very infrequently – a recent tip from a stylist was only to wash things that are stained; everything else can be worn again with an airing and a quick spray of Febreze.

The one thing you’ll have to cast aside is any concern you have with bulk; sweaters are not the most flattering choices, and while a cardigan will give you vertical lines that will elongate your torso, a sweater will not. Then again, the fact of the matter is, jumpers are cool – what more could you want?

Star buyTopshop's gold full body-con skirt, €38. This skirt may not look like much – and it's frighteningly shiny – but it will bring you from winter into Christmas, from day into night in the cold days ahead. Team it with opaque tights and biker boots by day; and by night, with piles of gold jewellery and a bright colour-pop blouse for "cartoon glam" which – you heard it here first – is going to be big.