Any moment now, endless speculation as to what Carla Sarkozy will wear to meet the Queen and the Prime Minister will finally end and we'll all sleep again safe in the knowledge that she didn't settle for a pair of Balenciaga's knee-high gladiator sandals and an acid floral skirt. Nor that she decided to “wow” us with her up-to-the-minute fashion savvy and dig out YSL's Bakelite star-disc choker. Or even, in a fleeting show of entente cordiale, borrow any of Christopher Kane's python-trimmed chiffon dresses.

Chances are - especially in view of her wish to be seen doing the Right Thing and in an attempt to quell all those “maneater” tags - her choice of outfit will be demure, elegant, conservative and perhaps even patriotic. Which is more than can be said for a lot of female politicians or politicians' wives. Granted, choosing a wardrobe for a state visit is not a dilemma that you see popping up frequently on the pages of a fashion magazine. And, while we may be quick to criticise a suit that is dated and boxy, neither are we particularly pleased when politicians go all “fashion-y” on us.

That stylish work attire is still such a conundrum when there is a record number of career women breaking the glass ceiling remains a mystery. One glance at the female contestants in the fourth series of The Apprentice, which begins tonight, is enough us to make us question whether every woman in a corporate environment wears anything other than a grey skirt suit and predictable, coloured-stripe shirt. Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister's wife, may not be an obvious role model but, as former high-flying PR consultant, she understands only too well the effect of a confident, killer outfit. Something that is self-assured, feminine, appropriate and that you can forget about once you have put it on. And no tugging at skirt lengths or blouses that don't tuck in properly.

So enter Britt Lintner, a no nonsense Swedish-American blonde who somehow - and we'd love to know her secret - combines a full-time hedge-fund job with recent motherhood and an eponymous clothes range that specialises in stylish, practical solutions for the working woman and who Brown has turned to on several occasions. For Lintner, it's the usual story of frustration at finding such a limited choice - in her case, unimaginative work wear - and doing something about it.

Currently blazing a trail not only among City women but those who work in the arts, media and legal worlds, it's a company that is still at its embryonic stage but that - judging by the workshops that Lintner holds for clients - is going to be huge. Her secret, or unique selling point, is that not only does she inhabit the very same working sphere as her customers, but her dresses - tailored jersey pieces with a little Lycra (also crease-proof and therefore suitable for business travel) are smart and stylish without being too “of a season”. “I'm not chasing trends,” Lintner is quick to point out, which means that her dresses don't have that immediately recognisable aspect that supposedly “hot” designer items have: you can see its quality but you can't put your finger on who it is by and increasingly demanding consumers like that elusiveness.

“Whether because of the downturn of the economy or because people are being a little greener, they want clothes that are going to feel right a few years down the line,” Lintner explains. At just less than £500 for a dress, they're not exactly cheap but a worthwhile investment.

Constant feedback from likeminded women is also part of the design process. Once a week Lintner invites a handful of women to discuss the merits of different pieces. They suggest moving collars higher/lower, reworking sleeve lengths and hemlines. A mutually beneficial exercise perhaps, although Lintner admits: “After an hour so, I don't really care about the clothes; the women are all so damn interesting.” Now, if that's not a reason to wear her clothes ...

www.brittlintner.com; 3 Hansard Mews, London W14 8BJ (020-7610 4070).

Buy this

After trialling these M&S more-expensive-looking-than-they-are black and grey suede heels (third picture above), the fashion department will no longer be packing a spare change of flats in their bag each morning. Not only did we feel as if we were walking on pillows, but the Insolia technology offers improved body alignment, decreased forefoot pressure and enhanced ankle stability. Not bad for £45. And did we mention the flash of red heel, which has had several Times employees demanding to know where they could be bought from? Like now.

Polls apart

A recent poll commissioned by Debenhams suggests that the push-up bra with (according to one newspaper) “its magical ability to make mountains out of molehills” has been hailed as the greatest fashion invention.

On skimming through the top 20, which includes hotpants, support tights, comfortable trainers, pull-in pants and boot-cut jeans, it’s surprising how few of these so-called wonder inventions ever appear on the catwalks.

Then again, this survey was probably compiled by posing questions to Ms Middle England. So what if we were to run through a similar list of “greatest catwalk inventions” or a list of useless trends that crop up whatever the season. On it surely would be baggy crotch, harem trousers — flattering on anyone over 6ft 5ins — shoes that you can only hobble in because of their 20cm heel, jackets with one armhole and excess padding, above, because designers forget that real women don’t need those extra layers.

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