FROM dresses to shoes, skirts to sandals and coats to jackets, clothes speak volumes about our confidence and state of mind. But they can also make people hot under the collar in the working environment, especially if you are in the public eye.

Newscasters Fiona Bruce and Emily Maitlis caused a stir recently when they bared their legs on national TV.

This was a reminder that what we wear creates an instant impression about who we are, what we do and how well we can do it.

Every woman knows one cannot walk around the office emulating Jessica Rabbit.

But how short is too short? Can a woman project a demeanour in a sexy yet successful way? Confidence is key in the office, and clothes surely contribute.

Fern Brooks, manager of Selkie boutique, in York, concurs. She says: "A woman who takes pride in her appearance and knows how to dress definitely creates more of an impact."

So how does a woman learn to dress for the office?

According to Fern, who is surrounded by fabric delights in this quirky boutique, this autumn and winter the skirt suit is a definite must-have item for a professional look with a feminine edge. It highlights the female figure with crisp tailoring, and the return of the waist can be accentuated with a belt, and finished off with a detailed blouse, such as those from Selkie's Just In Case range.

Meanwhile at Hobbs, the pencil skirt is much in evidence, another piece which is set to be a wardrobe essential. Mannequins are suited up with tailored jackets, adding a twist with a cocktail of venting and tapering for chic, sexy lines.

Reds hang with browns, petrol and sulphur tones react with amethyst and greys. These are to be the colours of the season and are perfect for injecting colour and variation into the staple black and grey office suit.

For many, the key item this season will be a winter jacket taking inspiration from the cape.

With many coats and suit jackets adopting a single button at the waist, once again this ingenious tailoring reveals the female silhouette without revealing anything else.

For those who are skirt shy, this year fashion's take on trousers is the perfect alternative. High-waist, wide-leg, slim fitting, the high-street caters for all shapes and sizes, and in York, Zara has an extensive range of office wear. It has the female office worker in mind, with trouser suits teamed with teals and deep purple tops, hanging adjacent to shirts with puffball shoulders and subtle frill detail to soften the look.

Why not team a shift dress with knit tights and boots, a look lifted from the catwalks?

"The key for winter is to cover up but not frumpily," says Claire Page at Zara, a tip which can be applied to office combinations this season.

At Topshop, working women can call on the services of style advisor Becky Littlechild, who offers a "specialised one-to-one service for people of all ages, providing knowledge of the season's key looks and what is in store".

Becky's style expertise is available free of charge.

"No price tag, no pressure to purchase," she says, adding that when buying office wear choose outfits - that way, you have capsule items which can be reused for various occasions.

By purchasing a key item such as wide leg trousers, one can breezily make the transition from day to night by adding a waistcoat or jewellery. Metallics, oversized handbags and animal prints are also set to be huge this season, with patent leading the way.

Winter jackets will take their inspiration from the cape. With many coats and suit jackets adopting a single button at the waist, once again this ingenious tailoring reveals the female silhouette without revealing anything else.

Wandering by window after window, staring in at an exhibition of waistlines, I ask myself whether these office pieces be worn by all women. Indeed, it seems there is a look for all.

Pear-shaped women should steer clear of A-line cuts and opt for a straight, wide-leg trouser. A fitted shirt with a tank top over it defines the upper body while broadening it to match the lower half.

Triangular shapes should embrace the A-line Fifties style, as it will emulate the hourglass figure which these clinched waists enhance.

To create this look, if you have an athletic frame, combine a crisp shirt-dress with a waist belt to create the illusion of curves. For shorter females, the cropped cape jacket and high-waist trousers will elongate the body, making you look taller.

Heels add sophistication to office wear, with an emphasis on t-bars this autumn/winter. However, all eyes are set to be on the Mary Jane style, with a comfortable heel height and smart yet feminine appearance. Such shoes are already in Office and Next, the latter stocking its own Sole Reviver collection, providing shoes with extra padding for women at the office.

Back at my desk, I realise that the key to office etiquette is making the clothes work for the individual.

A well-groomed physical appearance layered in black and grey will always mean business, and York has a brilliant range of up-to-date office collections with sharp tailoring and shots of colour that makes female work wear sexy without pushing the boundaries.