October 2008

Jacqui Gabel loves to pair sharp separates with softer, prettier pieces—a professional/stylish mix that's perfect for her job at an accessories company. And though her blouse and vest combination was a great idea, she wasn't sure she had the proportions right. So we tweaked it:

- We swapped her slinky white blouse for a black, tie-neck version.

"Jacqui's low-cut white blouse was a little too sexy for the office—with the vest, it had the tiniest touch of barmaid," says fashion news director Jen Ford. "So we exchanged it for this black one: The full three-quarter sleeves and bow at the neck play nicely against the tailoring of the vest. And when the top is tucked in, the outfit also takes on a more hourglass-like shape."

Jacqui's reaction:

"I wasn't sure about this blouse because of the bow, and I generally don't wear all black. But as soon as I saw the entire look I changed my mind. The contrast of textures, like the crochet tights and the silk of the top, keeps it all from seeming monotonous—the overall effect is feminine and fun."

The item we chose: