Shop Your Closet: Let Work and Play Mingle

Her Wardrobe Has an Identity Crisis 

The problem: The cramped armoire in Charissa Almonte’s West Orange, New Jersey, apartment just isn’t cutting it. (And it doesn’t help that her work commute includes a shortcut through a mall, where she is tempted to buy more.) But close quarters isn’t the only issue. During the week, Charissa, 32, a sales consultant for an investor service, spends her days buttoned up in business suits―a far cry from her charismatic nature, as demonstrated by the statement-making tops, jewelry, and shoes she saves for the weekend. “I feel like I have an eclectic sense of style,” she says. “But for work I’ve fallen into the monotony of basic suits.” 

The expert advice: Mix business with pleasure. “Charissa needed to break up her suits,” says stylist Sarah Davidzuk. By combining her “strictly weekend” clothes and accessories with her work attire, she can multiply her options instantly. “I’ve learned to make sure that the pieces I keep are in line with my personality,” says Charissa. One of her new favorites is a slim-cut leather jacket that can take the place of a blazer when it’s layered over a workday sheath. “I see my closet differently now, and I’m finding new ways to pull together a fashionable yet professional look.” Mostly, though, she says, “I realize that I do have enough to wear.”