Day to Night Dressing - How to Dress for Work and Nighttime

Deciding what to wear to work in the fall and winter is relatively easy; a few key investment pieces in a dark palette tend to go the distance. You can throw a Céline blazer over almost anything, or rotate a pencil skirt (leather or wool) from the Row and a pair of gorgeous Chloé pants as often as you like without looking one-note (as long as you play around with your accessories and tops). But once the weather warms up, looking office-appropriate gets trickier. And the list of workplace fashion faux pas grows: tops and skirts that are a bit too revealing, prints that make you look as if you were headed off to a garden party instead of a CEO meeting, T-shirt dresses that should be relegated to weekend wear, et cetera.

Thankfully, this season the spring shows were full of brilliant options that will help you rethink what you wear to work and out to dinner. Be-cause our schedules today are pretty chaotic, versatility in what we put on becomes a necessity. "We're all overscheduled, and no one has time anymore for the day-to-night outfit change," says Lisa Axelson, a creative director at Ann Taylor. Melissa Beste, CEO of Akris North America, couldn't agree more. "The modern woman faces a number of dynamic situations from day to day," she says. "Key elements of a wardrobe should be able to take you from the desk to dinners without compromising style."

So what works best? You can never go wrong with a pencil skirt and a femi-nine blouse. Narciso Rodriguez is a master at cutting a skirt with a lean line; pair it with the latest Saint Laurent bow-tie blouse and you'll be the envy of the office. Another effortless update you can make for spring is the tunic-over-pant combination, like those shown at Gucci. Jackets optional. What's great about a tunic shape? It's universally flattering, as are the tone- on-tone color combinations the pants and tops come in. Though pastels often fail at the office, choosing a fun, vivid shade is a good way to stand out. "Color looks more modern now when it's strong and bold," Axelson says. "It exudes confidence and lets you stand out in a positive way from the men." Blending in with the boys is so last season. Another welcome option, especially when the weather warms up, is the dress. "Today, women want to look polished and feminine," notes Axelson. "A lot are migrating to the dress because it's easy and versatile and you can dress it up or down with accessories." Who does dresses the best? Who doesn't is more like it—whether it's a feminine sheath from Carolina Herrera, something more minimalist from3.1 Phillip Lim, or anything from the designer who put working women in the wrap: Diane von Furstenberg. With a dress, a strong, saturated shade is a surefire way to look both pulled together and au courant. If you're wearing a lot of color, remember to keep the silhouette simple. Large doses of color also call for neutral accessories. Basic does not have to apply. Be brave with the extras: A bold Elsa Peretti cuff, an Alexander Wang metallic leather cross-body bag, or sharp Pierre Hardy silver pumps add oomph. Just be sure your extras fit your comfort zone. This means you can wear the killer heels (many of us wouldn't dream of wearing anything else), but check that you can actually get around in them. "If you can walk and stand tall, then you look confident," says Axelson.

Those who like their fashion with a bit more edge may want to try the new boxier blazer as seen at Stella McCartney, a designer who consistently gives women chic, sophisticated office-ready looks. (Thank you, Stella.) The best way to make slouchy work is to keep it slightly sexy—slightly being the key word here. That means heels (perhaps a modernist Lucite-detailed heel from Stella McCartney or Michael Kors) or a bold necklace like a graphic metallic collar from Givenchy or a cagelike creation from Anndra Neen. In the end, the one way to grab everyone's attention—whether it's in the boardroom or at a working lunch—is to be dressed in what makes you feel your best. It sounds corny, but if you feel good, you look good; they go hand in hand. "Dressing at work is so important because it's a way to market your personal brand," explains Axelson. With these options, your personal brand should be at its fashion-forward best.

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