november 2007

Leela Accetta, the subject of November's "Does This Outfit Work?" story, was worried about looking too conservative in this gray dress, so she paired it with neon tights and slouchy boots. Here's how we helped her keep the look fresh and cool, but with a more sophisticated edge:

• Swapped her orange tights for opaque black ones.

• Replaced her pale gray boots with sleek black heels.

"Those bright tights were too distracting—and pairing slouchy boots and a knee-length dress is always tough to pull off," says Jen Ford, fashion news director. "By adding darker tights and a simple, clean heel in the same color, she easily achieves the modern look she was going for."

Leela's reaction: "I thought I needed a bold color to liven up the outfit, but black really makes the gray pop. It definitely looks more cohesive now."

The items we chose: