I am a big fan of Marks and Spencer.  As with any long-term relationship we’ve had our ups and downs, even the odd trial separation; but I always end up coming back.

One of the reasons I like M&S is that every season they produce a handful of products which, dressed up with smart accessories and paired with higher-end product, punch well above their weight.  Items that look like designer product but cost a fraction of the price.

Here is a current example (also available in petite).

Now, we don’t know each other very well yet, but I am going to have to ask you to trust me here.  I know it doesn’t present brilliantly in this photo but it really is very stylish, with lovely heavy wool.  It looks great undone, just hanging open.  Screw up your eyes and imagine it over a black or grey turtleneck and slim pants: it looks like multiples of its £149 price tag, and it has a timeless appeal.

A bit more of-the-moment is this fabulous “ombre” black/white faux fur – it looks great in the flesh too:

And finally, how about an on-trend bottle green coat.  The M&S Best of British range has this classic collarless coat:

Very cosy, especially when topped off with a warm scarf – a worthy rival for Hobbs’ coat of the season, which comes with built-in scarf: