May 2008

Shaina Malkin, 24, the subject of May's "Does This Outfit Work?" story, tends to wear capris and tailored shirts to the office, but she was afraid this black-and-khaki combination was a bit unexciting—and not quite professional enough. So we made a few tweaks:

- Swapped her loose khakis for a more tailored version in navy.

- Used a metallic belt to create a bit of structure without adding more layers.

"Capri pants require a precise fit; otherwise they can look sloppy. So we gave Shaina a pair that was slimmer through the leg—which also shows off her great figure," says fashion news director Jen Ford. "She doesn't like to look too done-up, so instead of tucking in her shirt, we cinched a medium-size belt around her waist to give her some curves."

Shaina's reaction: "I feel more stylish and less like I could just blend into the crowd. The changes aren't drastic, but now I have more of a shape. I'm absolutely happy in this."

The items we chose: