What to Wear to Work This Fall

Style advice for business not as usual: 7 tips for looking fab on the job

-Lois Joy Johnson

Forget dress casual. Dress for success with a twist is the trend, now that jobs are scarce and harder to keep.  Whether your goal is the corner office or a boost from freelancer to full-time staffer, you can’t lose in updated classics. Tweak them enough to show your personal style and individuality.

Here’s a style guide to the 7 pieces that will get noticed:

1.THE SOFT CROPPED JACKET
Skip the much-touted boyfriend blazer unless you’re wearing dark jeans or leggings to work in an artsy / fashion / creative field. You want a fitted feminine jacket in a neutral color that works with slim, pleated, A-line skirts or over your dresses. These make the cut:

From left to right: Liz Claiborne’s stretch ponte single breasted jacket with gold buttons ($139, lizclaiborne.com), Ann Taylor tweed wool blend short jacket ($185, anntaylor.com), Torrid’s black bouclé cameo pin cropped jacket ($58, torrid.com) is affordable and flattering for women with curves.  Another chic, affordable option: Spiegel’s cropped tweed swing jacket (not pictured, $34.99, spiegel.com)

2. THE TAILORED KNIT DRESS
Bet you thought I was going to say tailored sheath didn’t you? Knit dresses have evolved this fall with more shape and structure so you can feel comfy and look polished at the computer.

From left to right: Liz Claiborne New York By Isaac Mizrahi graphite stretch ponte ¾ sleeve crewneck dress ($99, lizclaiborne.com), Design History merino wool cap sleeve ruffle front sweaterdress ($128, nordstrom.com), Donna Morgan bell sleeve ponte knit dress (on sale for $69.90, nordstrom.com), Ultra Bargain: Merona ponte tab waist dress at Target ($24.99, target.com)

3. THE SKIRT SUIT
I know pantsuits are back too but a skirted suit is really more versatile. Skip the boxy frumpy traditional versions for jacket that’s nipped at the waist or belted and cut high enough so you don’t need more than a tank beneath. Push up the sleeves; add a platform pump, a power clutch and tote and you’re in business.

Above, from left to right: Ann Taylor double weave jacket ($220, anntaylor.com), Express Studio stretch 1-button jacket ($98, express.com), Ann Taylor double weave skirt ($110, anntaylor.com), Express front slit pencil skirt ($59.50, express.com)

At right: Victoria’s Secret Luxe 120s charcoal grey wool double breasted jacket  ($129.99, victoriassecret.com) and pencil skirt ($49.99, victoriassecret.com), Calvin Klein gray wool/viscose shawl collar belted skirt suit ($280, macys.com)