Elizabeth sent me an email about the ensemble I proposed in What's Making Me Crazy? Inappropriate Clothing in the Workplace.  Elizabeth said she loved the Donna Karan suit, but in her office it would be "too much - I'm afraid they'd look at me and say 'what are you? A consultant (junior level) or a fashion magazine person?'  It's too chic for my workplace."

Oh Elizabeth, I feel your pain!  Honestly, I do understand the dilemma; as I worked in a number of offices in my younger years where you'd be shot down for clothing considered "too stylish" by the not-so-chic majority.

It's also the classic dilemma for our female politicians: they want to look good, but they're afraid of being seen as frivolous - or too focused on appearance.  What a pity!  Some have navigated this minefield pretty well; Nancy Pelosi is the first one that comes to my mind.  Whether you agree with her politics or not, everyone agrees she always looks good.  And she's done it by sticking to an Armani palette: elegantly powerful, but subdued.  Condi Rice has taken a different approach, but also pulled it off beautifully: power suits with emphatically feminine cuts/accents, worn with a really eye-catching accessory.  Remember those high-heeled boots she wore?  FABULOUS!

But back to you and your office.  Here's a great look: very rich and elegant, but decidedly less dressy- even casual by some standards - just depends on your office.  This particular look is Mark Jacobs/ Ralph Lauren; but you can break down the elements and find these pieces at all price points.




Shirt : Mark Jacobs
Turtleneck: Ralph Lauren Blue Label
Pants: Ralph Lauren Black Label
Alligator bag: Tod's

(Photo by David Sims - Vogue)