You needn’t make the commute home for a full overhaul to look fabulous from day to night. All it takes is a quick dash into the ladies’ room to add some finishing touches. In Style magazine’s special annual issue called “The Look” hits newsstands now and offers fashion suggestions for the time-crunched woman. “Today” contributor, In Style’s Charla Krupp shares the scoop.
You have to look great at work and great after work for that hot date, cocktail party, dinner, or club. But who has time to go home and primp? Here are some easy tips to help you change your look from day to night.
Women have it tough. We have to look fabulous at work, fabulous in the evening, and we don’t have time to go home and do a complete overhaul. “The Look,” In Style’s new special issue proves that it can be as easy as going into the ladies’ room at work and changing just one piece plus accessories. The less you have to change, the better!
LOOK 1: TWEED SKIRT:
Morning:
A tweed skirt like this one from Kors is the workhorse of your fall work wardrobe. You wouldn’t think it could be elegant, but this fall is all about elegance, so elevate it with a ladylike sweater. A Banana Republic angora sweater ties at the neck — so feminine, so Audrey. Kick the look up a notch with a bold graphic bag like a hounds tooth one by Nine West for $59. This entire outfit is only $366!
Shopping details:
-Ivory angora sweater from Banana Republic, $68. (At Banana Republic stores or call 888-277-8953.)
-Black and white tweed skirt in lightweight wool by Kors Michael Kors, $180. (Call 212-966-5880.)
-Great price on Nine West hounds tooth bag, $59. (At 9 West stores; call 800-999-1877.)
-Great price for black leather pumps with buckle, $59. (Aerosole stores or call 800-798-9478.)
Evening:
Here’s a look ready for a hot night on the town. The corporate-looking Kors tweed skirt gets a nightlife when paired with a sexy, vivid, floral tank top and bright red satin accessories. Red is the accent color for fall and here’s a tip: It’s hard to go all red, so keep it just to accessories. Bright red suede pumps and satin bag sex up this look.
Shopping details:
-Black and white tweed skirt in lightweight wool by Kors Michael Kors, $180. (Call 212-966-5880.)
-Omnia silk satin floral-print top, $198. (At Public 1; call, 773-772-9088.)
-Hot pink satin pleat clutch by Banana Republic, $32. (Banana Republic stores, or call 888-277-8953.)
-Fuchsia suede pumps with rhinestone buckles by Casadei, $455. (At Saks Fifth Avenue.)
Colored satins in rich jewel toned colors are hot in clothes and accessories. And florals for evening are hot to add a dash of flash.
LOOK 2: VELVET PANTS:
Morning:
Velvet, that fabric of the kings and queens, is not just for after-dark anymore. So don’t treat it so special. Wear it nine to five and make every day elegant. Try a cotton velvet blazer and pants. Pants this season are not flared, but slimmer than ever. One of fall’s big themes is wearing the feminine/masculine look simultaneously. A flirty feminine camisole flaunts a boys’ club tie — cheeky. Try a pink leather tote and purple heels. They look yummy with plum.
A lot about changing the look from day to evening is about kicking off your work shoes and switching bags. It’s an exciting season for accessories. You’ll find so many wild, candy-colored shoes and bags out there, to cheer you up on a dreary day. So don’t be afraid to invest in pink, purple, yellow or orange pumps or a bag. The louder they scream, the better. They make the usual fall colors — black, brown and navy — look so boring!
Shopping details:
-Omnia blazer, $398; and pants, $242 (at Honey Kamali; call 302-654-4058).
-Silk camisole with tie front from Plenty by Tracy Reese, $106 (at select Nordstrom stores).
-Leather tote by Samantha Thavasa New York, $275. (At Kitson, LA, 310- 859-2652.)
-Hype open-toe heel in blueberry, $119.
Evening:
Shine like a star in a shiny, ornate three-quarter length jacket. Larissa Thompson at In Style says that every woman who has parties to go to should keep a fancy evening coat hanging on the back of your office door. Slip it on over your working basics — and you’ve got instant stardom. This one by Tibi looks a lot more expensive than $398. Try a simple Banana Republic tank top underneath. We changed accessories but stayed with fun colors. The satin sling backs by Bottega Veneta have colored jewels. She traded her workaday leather tote for a gorgeous beaded silk clutch by Santi.
Shopping details:
-Tibi embroidered silk and cotton coat, $396 (Neiman Marcus).
-Banana Republic pink camisole, $18 (at Banana Republic stores).
-Omnia cotton velvet pants, $242 (at Honey Kamali; call 302-654-4058).
-Bottega Veneta sling backs, $600 (call 877-362-1715).
-Santi’s butterfly beaded and embroidered silk clutch ($225 at select Neiman Marcus stores or call 212-730-5901).
LOOK 3: MOD MINI:
Morning:
Swingin’ 60s London is the most fun look this fall. So if you’ve never worn this look before, get yourself a mini skirt suit. Opaque stockings with a mini are a must.
If the mini is too micro, wear one that flatters you. There are skirts at every length this fall. Covering up every other part of your body with a black turtleneck and a just under the knee boot makes this look classy and polished. Kathy boots by Cole Haan fit tight to the leg in stretchy suede ($389 at colehaan.com). And don’t play it safe with a solid black carryall. Express yourself, with a bold graphic floral or animal print.
Shopping details:
-Cream wool blazer, $340, and miniskirt, $125 (at Total Woman, 504-891-3964).
-Club Monaco black wool turtleneck, $79, 888-580-5084.
-Cole Haan black suede knee high boots, $398 (At Cole Haan stores or www.colehaan.com).
-Paint the Lily cotton and leather floral print bag, $246 (at Tangerine, 773-772-0505).
Evening:
Take this look into evening with a jazzy pop art print top. What’s interesting is that by losing the jacket, you go from a suit to a mini dress look. You can get out of the boots and into a sexy sling back with an open toe. Swap the big bag for a jewel-toned satin clutch.
Shopping details:
-Luca Luca black and white silk print top, $540 (call 212-755-2444).
-Arayal cream wool miniskirt, $125. (At Total Woman, 504-891-3964.)
-Luca Luca black and white sling backs, $420. (Call 212-755-2444.)
-Purple Emila Flat satin evening clutch from Mimi Moulton, $405 (at Bergdorf Goodman, New York).
LOOK 4: TWEED DRESS:
Morning:
The dress is back! If you like dresses, this is a great season for them.
Tweed is a menswear fabric, but there’s a twist — it’s feminine when strapless. What we’ve done is give it a chic, schoolgirl look with a four-pocket wool cardigan worn with a knocker closure. It’s all in the details! Ballerina flat-flats are very gamine, 50s-style. And the cream corduroy Lulu Guinness handle tote, corduroy is everywhere this fall.
Shopping details:
-Tracy Reese four-pocket wool cardigan with knocker closure, $150; At Hall’s Plaza, (816) 274-3459.
-Saja tweed strapless dress, $178; At Purdy Girl, (212) 677-9647
-Banana Republic white ballerina slippers with black piping and bows, $108; Available at Banana Republic stores, 888-277-8953.
-Lulu Guinness corduroy Catherine bag, $175 (at Lulu Guinness stores or call 212-367-2120).
Evening:
And for evening, you just lose the sweater and add accessories. That’s easy.
It’s all about the accessories change here. To go from ladylike to vamp, lose the neutral flats and slip into flashy red heels with a sexy beaded clutch.
Shopping details:
-Saja tweed strapless dress, $178; At Purdy Girl, 212-677-9647.
-Blue Dragon red silk shoe with suede flower, $150 (call 877-671-2476).
-Santi beaded frame clutch, $175 (call 212-730-5901 or go to www.stylism.com).
Charla Krupp of In Style magazine has been a beauty and fashion contributor to “Today” going on eight years in a segment that’s followed her from In Style magazine to Glamour (as beauty director) to eve.com (as editor-in-chief and vice president) and back to In Style. She’s an award-winning journalist known for her accessible, “real woman’s” approach to fashion and beauty. For more information you can call 888-689-1643 or visit the In Style Web site at: www.InStyle.com, or pick up the latest issue of In Style magazine on newsstands now.