How to punch up a boring suit

Every career woman should have one classic suit in their closet. You know the type: dark, woolen, appropriate for interviews and completely devoid of any personality. I hate boring clothes but even I recognize the need for one very conservative ensemble for when the CEO comes calling.

That said, you can still display your fabulous sense of style with a few strategic additions. And, contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to accomplish this solely through jewelry:

• A silky tie-neck blouse: The standard collared oxford shirt screams Corporate America louder than a rolling suitcase and Ann Taylor frequent shopper card. The tie-neck top is a stylish upgrade and appropriate in even the most buttoned-up boardroom sessions - more so than say, a lacy camisole.

• Interesting cuffs: Slip on a long-sleeve top with unusual sleeves, such as this $29 blouse from Newport News. Or, try a pair of slip-on cuffs that add a bit of interest to even the stodgiest Jones New York ensemble.

• A classic scarf: This trick has been around forever, but it still works. Plus, if by the end of a long work session you’re finding yourself pulling your hair into a ponytail, you can just wrap the scarf around your hair for a polished look that conceals just how ready you are to go home.

• Patent pumps: We all secretly know in the depths of our souls that shoes make the outfit. I have known people who have decided business deals based almost entirely on the style of the other party’s footwear. Patent pumps are flaming hot this fall but never really go out of style, so find a walkable pair that you love.

• A strategically placed belt: If you’ve recently lost weight or find that your jacket is just a little too boxy, cinch a wide leather belt at your natural waist to define your shape and modernize that gray beast of a suit you bought three jobs ago.

• Unique tights: Nothing punches up a drab skirt suit like fascinating hosiery. Depending upon the level of formality and style at your workplace, try tights in deep, opaque autumn hues (cranberry, deep plum, even the darkest emerald) demure, close-knit fishnet or textures.

This fall, take the gray train

I spent my entire summer wondering which color would be crowned the new black this fall. It’s gray! It’s everywhere: from charcoal to heather, gray is THE color of fall 2007. I, for one, can finally get on with my life now.

Sarcasm aside, gray is always a welcome alternative to ubiquitous black: It’s not as harsh (particularly on women of a certain age), has no bothersome connotations with death or mourning and pairs more easily with bright colors such as yellow, green or orange. Flip through any fashion mag this season and you’ll see page after glossy page filled with the shade. The problem with most of these publications is that their suggestions are usually far too expensive for the average working girl. (Case in point: Marie Claire’s “Splurge vs. Spend” feature on shift dresses dubbed a $295 Tony Burch dress a “steal.” Sure - only if you’re actually going to steal it.)

That said, here are some affordable ways to ride the gray train and still stay in the black (and do so without terrible puns):

Stylish shoes: These Franco Sarto Evita pumps combine two trends at once: gray and patent leather. The shade is called Pewter and complements navy pants. The low heel is walkable, and while the $92 price tag is hefty, it is currently on sale at Macy’s for $65.

Tights: Colored tights are the perfect, cheap way to punch up that dull dress you’ve tired of and shoved to the back of your closet. They can also winterize a summer shift better than antifreeze: Picture these DKNY charcoal tights with a floral or sweater dress.

A chic coat: Anyone can get a plain old double-breasted coat. This one by Nine West has a self belt, an exaggerated collar and gather detail at the shoulders: small touches that elevate it above the $177 price tag.

A cozy sweater: Just $22 will get you this long, belted wool pullover from French etailer La Redoute. Pair with a tissue-weight tee in jewel tones (think sapphire, ruby, emerald) and slim pants for cheap chic.

A day-to-night transition piece: This $58 silk top from Victoria’s Secret would work beautifully underneath the sweater mentioned previously, with a black pencil skirt for evening or as the foundation under an otherwise conservative suit.

The first coat of the season

It is officially fall. Never mind that today it will reach a high of 90 degrees in Chicago, it's time for tweed and wool and impractical platform boots that don't protect against any element but boredom. Every year around this time I feel the urge to get a new winter coat. This has led to a closet bursting with outerwear of every weight, fabric, color, length and occasion, not to mention a soon-to-be-husband who shoots me quizzical looks with each new purchase.

Therefore, I will not be buying a new coat this year, but if I did, it would be this one from Laundry by Shelli Segal. With a belted (read: flattering) waist and military detailing that makes a completely unsurprising comeback every single fall, this coat is a great find at $210 (originally nearly $500.) The bomber-style ribbed collar is unusual, and who among us has too many white coats, save the pharmacists? At Burlington Coat Factory's ecommerce site, it is also available in chocolate, black and brown herringbone tweed for those of us who ride the Bacteria Train to work each morning.

One note on Burlington: One of the worst shopping experiences of my life happened last year at the store in Reading, Penn. That was where I waited in line for 20 minutes behind a woman who was bribing her toddler with dollar bills to stop screaming. I am happy to report that the store's online shopping experience is everything its brick-and-morter presence is not: neat, organized and peaceful.

Workplace Vogue: Story from Yale StYle magazine

To those sweet readers who’ve reached out in hopes of finding me still alive: Yes, I am still breathing, though almost completely immersed in the deadly serious minutia of last-minute wedding planning for our October 6 soiree. (For the record, I couldn’t care less about the color of pen used to sign the guestbook, but apparently other people do.) No excuse, really, except that I haven’t had time to conduct research for this blog (i.e., go shopping for anything that’s not white.)

That said, other people on the Internet seem to think I have something interesting to say even when I’m being a lazy non-posting blogger: Check out the latest issue of Yale University’s StYle Magazine, in which I am quoted in a story ("Workplace Vogue") about the intense scrutiny of women’s professional attire. I pointed out that much of this pressure comes from other women, who subconsciously compare themselves to their peers. Really - I can’t be the only one that sneaks stealthy glances at other females’ shoes under the conference room table.

Also, as a former reporter and public relations professional, I love the email interview. Unlike live conversations, in which the source frequently um’s, ah’s and stumbles all over subject-verb agreement, it’s easy to compose a coherent quote for print media on your computer.

How to organize your necklaces

Traditional jewelry boxes just don't work for me. Invariably, I end up eschewing the neat little hooks and compartments in favor of tossing every necklace, ring or bracelet into a tangled pile in the top section. The result: I can't find a thing to wear in the morning and end up buying six jade green necklaces because I forgot how many I already own.

I discovered the answer to my problems at Urban Outfitters, of all places. This $26 jewelry branch doubles as a sculpture and an easy way to hang all of your necklaces with minimal effort, in plain view. It is available in bronze in stores as well.

I found a smaller version specifically for earrings at Linens 'n Things for $10, but you can find other, albeit pricier, options online here or here.