Why you don't need a whole new wardrobe to nail that interview

How to look chic without breaking the bank

How to look chic without breaking the bank

In collaboration with Matalan

Looking for a job? Forget the whole 'New Year, New You' message everyone seems so keen to push every January, because if you're already fabulous then why change anything? And the same goes for your wardrobe.

There really is no need to buy a whole new interview outfit when refreshing your existing one will do - especially after everyone is broke after Christmas.

So here are three ways you can update your wardrobe to look fabulous, without breaking the bank.

The elevated suit

You might be fed up with your black suit and think it's not on-trend enough, but it may be the best thing you own, as it is quite simply timeless, and the easiest thing to update. Want a chic look? Simply add a slick of red lipstick, white silk blouse and suede mules. Want something a bit edgier? Team the suit with a red high-neck jumper and a matching red duster coat. Red is the colour of the season, so you'll look on-trend without spending a fortune.

The not-so-boring pencil skirt

As you might have guessed by now, nailing the perfect work wardrobe is all about reworking the classics you already have including, yes, the humble pencil skirt. It's having a bit of a moment this season, and comes in all styles, from formal checks to textured knits. If you don't have budget to invest in a new skirt, try accessorising it with something you wouldn't normally. For example, a grey skirt will look great with a slouchy jumper, in pretty much any colour - much less severe looking than a shirt.

The go-with-everything trousers

We all need that go-to pair of trousers that can easily be paired with anything from a printed top to a blazer or jumper. This season, it's all about velvet trousers, but if that's not your style, then any pair of black trousers will do. - it's all about how you wear them. Team with a slogan t-shirt, checked blazer and heeled court shoes.

So you see, you don't need to break the bank to be stylish, you just need to re-invent what you already have to feel that bit more confident.

And nail that job interview of course.

Penny Goldstone

Penny Goldstone is the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire, covering everything from catwalk trends to royal fashion and the latest high street and Instagram must-haves.

Penny grew up in France and studied languages and law at the Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris before moving to the UK for her MA in multimedia journalism at Bournemouth University. She moved to the UK permanently and has never looked back (though she does go back regularly to stock up on cheese and wine).

Although she's always loved fashion - she used to create scrapbooks of her favourite trends and looks, including Sienna Miller and Kate Moss' boho phase - her first job was at MoneySavingExpert.com, sourcing the best deals for everything from restaurants to designer sales.

However she quit after two years to follow her true passion, fashion journalism, and after many years of internships and freelance stints at magazines including Red, Cosmopolitan, Stylist and Good Housekeeping, landed her dream job as the Digital Fashion Editor at Marie Claire UK.

Her favourite part of the job is discovering new brands and meeting designers, and travelling the world to attend events and fashion shows. Seeing her first Chanel runway IRL at Paris Fashion Week was a true pinch-me moment.