Two Ways: Pleated Cobalt Dress

Dress: Billie and Blossom Dress ($49)

From Left, Earrings: Macy’s Garnet Drops ($204) Ring: Robert Lee Morris Ring ($58) Belt: Gap Snakeskin Belt ($30) Bag: Marc Jacobs Billy Bag ($458) Shoes: Ivanka Trump Janie Pumps ($125) Jacket: Slim Line Jacket ($90)

From Right, Nylons: Nordstrom Fishnets (3 for $30) Shoes: Cole Haan Air Violet Pump ($248) Bracelet: Northern Star Cuff ($195) Belt: Mango Touch Belt ($30) Bag: Robinson Dome Satchel ($550) Coat: Laltramoda Camel Coat ($248)

I fell into a rut where I was only pairing cobalt with black.  And while it looks lovely with black, my goal for this post was to find some more adventurous color combinations.  After all, a woman cannot live on black alone.

For the Office. This outfit was a great excuse to show my new cranberry pumps from Ivanka Trump.  They’re much darker in person than in this photo, and I just know I’m going to wear them everywhere.  Need a cheaper pair?  Madden has this Gretta pump that’s very similar for $50.

I added the long ivory blazer for coverage, and I would push up the sleeves a bit to style the look.  If you’re plus-size, check out this ivory Vince Camuto blazer.

This dress benefits from the addition of a belt to doubly emphasize the waist and the pleated detailing.  You don’t have to add one, but I think it looks a bit unfinished without one.  If snake print isn’t for you, try this plain grey option from Target.

I chose the garnet earrings to coordinate with the shoes.  I love the clean lines, they’re just fabulous.  But if you need something less expensive, I also found these Blu Bijoux earrings for $20.  And how great is this ring?  It has an interesting, modern shape and the price isn’t too shabby either.

For the hair, I would wear it down, maybe in waves.  For the makeup, I would wear Bogota Blackberry on my nails (they’re discontinuing this color, so if you love it, stock up) and a lot of black liner and mascara.

For the Office.  Camel with cobalt is a great combination.  The brightness of the blue with the subtle richness of the camel is so elegant.  This coat is available in limited sizes, so if you’re looking for camel, try this Brooks Brothers coat marked down to $399 from $998 or this wallet-friendly Via Spiga coat.

The topic of tights has elicited a number of heated debates on this blog.  I am not opposed to bare legs in the wintertime.  However, I know that some of you are.  If I’m looking for legwear with a bare look, I skip the sheer nylons and go for small-weave bare fishnets.  Should you like more coverage, go for a barely there nylon (Calvin Klein Infinite Sheer is great) or a chocolate-brown tight to match the shoes.

For accessories, I chose a chocolate-brown shoe (sold out since last night, here’s a replacement from Mossimo), a matching belt, a cool gold cuff and a yellow satchel.  Yellow handbags were all the rage this summer, but this fall, designers are showing deeper, mustard colors instead of brights.  I think these are a better all-season option than their brighter counterparts.  If you’d like a less-expensive mustard bag, this Johnny Love Rosie satchel is a nice choice.

Looking for a less expensive cuff? This sequin cut-out a cuff is a bit less, and this laser-cut cuff from Lori’s Shoes is a great buy at $25.

For the hair, I would wear it up in a Gibson roll.  For the makeup, I would go for a plum cheek color and a dark purple, sheer lip color like Butter London Lippy in Jaffa.