Trench coat tricks, shirt flips and the return of power shoulders: The style rules you should break this season

What do trench coats, seriously stiff collars and wearing your shirt backwards have in common? They're all proof that the best style updates don't necessarily involve buying a whole new wardrobe. 

Sometimes, they just require a little imagination - plus the confidence to fasten your buttons in the wrong direction.

In the latest episode of HELLO!'s Style Surgery, host and style expert Karen Williams is joined by stylist and broadcaster Maddie. Bowden and Lauren Ramsay, H! Fashion's very own Deputy Digital Editor.

On the agenda? Wardrobe icons, seriously clever styling tricks and the pieces worth investing in for the season ahead,

First up - the trench coat, aka fashion's most reliable plus-one. Yes, it goes with practically everything, but that doesn't mean it can't bring an element of interest and difference to your outfit.

A silk scarf knotted at the neck, or a statement brooch can give a classic trench a more personal feel.

© Getty Images

Maddie's expert trick? Layer a cropped denim jacket over yours for much-needed extra warmth and a super cool finish. 

While classic labels such as Burberry and Aquascutum may have once dominated the trench coat conversation, today's iterations offer plenty of room for personality. 

Think interesting linings, exaggerated shoulders and distinctive belts to add a little something extra without sacrificing their eternally cool appeal. And happily, high-street labels like Next mean you don't need to burn through your bank balance to get in on the look. 

© Getty Images

Then come shirts and blouses - two wardrobe stalwarts that offer endless possibilities. Whether you favour the crisp authority that a shirt offers or the softer, more romantic appeal of a blouse - the panel's messaging is clear: styling is where the fun really begins. 

Try wearing a jewellery cuff over your shirt cuff, cinching the back with a brooch, or, for the more adventurous - turning the whole thing around and wearing it back to front.

And don't skip the revival of retro stripes. Lauren's red-striped cardigan from Next taps into fashion's current love affair with nostalgic stripes. Her styling advice? Pair bright colours with brown to take the edge off. 

The takeaway? Keep the classics, rethink the details and never underestimate the transformative power of a well-placed brooch.

Watch the whole episode here...

And shop our expert-approved new season picks to buy now...

HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.