Things You'll Need:
- Bright cardigan
- Metallic or colored flats
- Straight-leg jeans or pants
- Bitted blouse
- Long tunic
- Pencil skirt
- Cropped jacket
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Step 1
Figure out what items in your closet get the most use. If you generally wear jeans and a top, consider stepping the presentation up a notch by layering some new pieces, such as wearing a crisp fitted blouse under a bright cardigan or long tunic top.
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Step 2
Assess the shapes of your current items. If your jeans and pants have outdated cuts, such as sitting too high on the waist or tapering toward the ankle, replace them with more modern cuts. Today’s most flattering styles include skinny or straight legs or wide legs that are the same width from the hip to the ankle.
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Step 3
Broaden your work wardrobe to include easy-to-wear dresses in all shapes and fabrics. There are many to choose from right now and they come in a wide array of fabrics, shapes and price points. A short dress can even do double duty as a top over fitted or cropped pants or leggings. Also buy a nicely tailored pencil skirt (or pull one out from the back of your closet!) and wear it with a tunic or fitted blouse and cropped jacket.
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Step 4
Adapt the ballet-inspired look to fit your lifestyle with a few key pieces. Longer tunic tops or cardigans over ballet-necked t-shirts and close-fitted pants or swingy A-line skirts and of course, ballet flats in colors or metallic finishes can help you appear very “with it.”
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Step 5
Realize that shoes can go a long way. If the shapes of yours are old-fashioned or the pairs you wear frequently look worn or too scuffed to fix, invest in some stylish high-heeled booties that are perfect to wear with skirts and pants.
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Step 6
Look for elegant patent leather accessories in colors (or black) to make your wardrobe pop. A nice pair of patent pumps, a rich patent belt or a big patent leather handbag will instantly make your look more modern.
