does this outfit work?

January 2009

Emily Bielagus, a 24-year-old yoga instructor from Brooklyn, wants to turn her sweet—and, she fears, slightly juvenile—jumper into a sleek and modern look. So we showed her how:

- We removed her white top and added a charcoal turtleneck.

- We swapped her ballet flats for tall brown boots.

- We exchanged her maroon tights for black ones.

"Under the jumper, a white button-down shirt comes off as a little parochial-school uniform, but a dark gray turtleneck feels chic in a mod, '60s-era French way," says fashion news director Jen Ford. "Flat boots give the whole ensemble a slightly tougher vibe, and the dark tights—instead of the mismatched ones—make it all that much more sophisticated."

Emily's reaction: "The boots are practical and stylish, and they definitely add a more grown-up touch. The turtleneck is flattering and super-cozy. I feel like it's simple, cool, and can be worn just about anywhere."

The items we chose: