During further discussion with Jane about her comment, several additional questions were raised about length, style, and fabric. The one thing that she seemed sure about was color: black. As a result, my first suggestion to her was decidedly not black. Since Jane does not need this for her professional life and most of her dresses are black, I decided on this bright pop of coral to add freshness. Although I believe wholeheartedly in the power of a fabulous black blazer, pairing it over a black dress creates a more melancholy outfit than most occasions call for. This particular blazer appealed to me because of the beautiful crepe fabric, the tailored fit, and the easy-to-wear color.

Three ways Jane can wear it:
    #1: Tuck a white scoopneck tee into jeans and wear with a red or metallic skinny belt. Add the blazer (with cuffed sleeves, of course!) and accessorize with a sparkly bracelet and a patterned scarf.
    #2: Slip into your favorite LBD, add a metallic belt at the waist and wear the blazer open as an alternative to a cardigan or wrap.
    #3: Pair with a burgundy skirt and a grey silk shell. Add a garnet necklace to play up the color-on-color pairing.

    While I was searching the sale racks, I also found this black crepe wool blazer (which is no longer available online) which is closer to what Jane had in mind. The main reason I don't suggest buying a traditional suit jacket to wear over a dress for formal event is that it is hard to shake the business look. Fabric can make a huge difference; I have a soft spot for crepe blend fabrics because they are more associated with "dress up" than with work.

    A decidedly non-work detail like this ribbon tie not only elevates the jacket, but also creates a small waist. Although not visible in this photo there is a horizontal seam underneath the ribbon that defines the waist and gives the jacket a tailored look with a flirty edge. Be aware of where seams are hitting you; a horizontal seam should be pretty close to your natural waist. If not, try Petite or Tall sizes or shop around at other stores until you find a clothing line that uses torso measurements similar to your own.

    Generally shorter jackets are easier to transition into evening than the longer, "boyfriend" style pieces, however, as shown by the coral blazer, the sum is more important than all of the parts so don't be afraid to try something out of the box!

This work staple should not be confined to your office 9-5. For a business casual look that transitions to Friday happy hour, pair with black, slim ankle pants, a collar-less oxford (tucked in and with a belt through the loops), and shiny, patent pumps. Don't forget to cuff your sleeves for a more relaxed look!

For a Saturday morning spent running errands or watching your kid's soccer game, layer a turtleneck underneath and wear with denim and boots. My favorite thing about tweed blazers is that they are some of the warmest winter layering pieces without having the bulk of quilted down. For a little extra pop, add on a colorful pendant.

Finish your weekend with Sunday brunch and afternoon at the symphony. Pair your blazer with a great wool pencil skirt. Cuff the sleeves and leave unbuttoned to show a chic, patterned shell underneath. Finish with heels and a couple bright bangles.

Find pieces with interesting details. What sold me on this striped top was the chambray cuff detail. It gives the top more pizzazz and thus more versatility than your basic tee.

Stripes are the easiest pattern to mix with (in my opinion) so I added the navy, floral scarf. The large swath of solid navy in the scarf helps tone down the patterns and the hint of pink in the scarf (see right) gives the perfect excuse to add in a belt!

Pair this ensemble with denim and boots for your new go-to day look. If you live in a colder climate, try layering a basic long sleeve tee underneath the striped top for added warmth.

Love this top as much as I do? Get it at Ann Taylor for $58.

What's the best part of the winter doldrums? Nautical themed resort wear is back in fashion. Even if (or rather, especially if) you are stuck in cold weather for January and February, you can still rock a vacation worthy look. These pieces add a bit of brightness to your winter taupes and greys and will be very wearable through spring.

I love a bold stripe for my casual wear; navy is always a classic choice, but there are also some great reds, yellows, and oranges out right now.

Want more options? Here are my picks for a chic nautical look:

BR Geo Dot Pencil Skirt $89.50

LOFT Striped Drop Shoulder T $44.50

Gap Ponte Academy Blazer $88

Ann Taylor Striped Boatneck T $48

If you are feeling bold, try pairing your stripe with a more heavily patterned scarf. The key is to minimize the number of colors in the outfit so it still feels thoughtful and focused. Three colors is usually a safe bet- only two can feel boring and heavy and four or more has the potential to be chaotic. If in doubt, try on the outfit in front of full length mirror and go with your gut.

Looking for more subdued blues? Try layering different shades of the same color for subtle flair:

Happy New Year! It is the time to start dodging all of our well-intentioned resolutions and create busy work for ourselves to avoid going to the gym. If you are at home, regretting the promises you made to yourself (or just regretting staying out so late last night), I have an easy style challenge for you to get your spirits up. We are going to start our own style boxes for 2013. It is common practice to collect favorite recipes in a recipe box, so why not put all of your best fashion ideas in one place?

Step 1: All you need is a pack of index cards and a small box to fit them in. Just like a recipe box is organized by cookies, meats, sides, etc, our style box will be organized by dress code: Work, Casual, Dressy Casual, and Party. As your box fills up, feel free to add additional dividers for seasons.

Step 2: Start your style box with 8 outfits, two in each category. These should be your go-to favorites, the ones that always make you feel good about yourself. On individual index cards, write a description of your outfit.
Example: