Day-to-Night Transitions

Taking an outfit from day to night involves a little more imagination than swiping on some lip gloss and pulling a pair of stilettos out of your briefcase -- although that isn't a bad place to start!

"If you are someone who works in a very serious, buttoned-up office where the dress code is the strictest of strict, the concept of day to evening can seem a little daunting," says Suzanne Griffin, manager of the Helen Ainson boutique in Darien. "When we tell clients something in their wardrobe can transition from day to night, they ask us all the time, `How, exactly, do I do that?'"

Maybe they're stumped because the typical, somber suit doesn't really scream after-hours cocktail party or date night. The same can be said for some work-from-home looks.

HealthyLife wondered if two distinct workaday uniforms -- one casual, one formal -- could be transformed into looks worthy of our next ladies' night out or romantic dinner a deux. Erica Jensen, Helen Ainson's owner and founder, worked with us to demonstrate some wardrobe options that can truly perform double-duty. Her team incorporated versatile separates, transformative accessories and forgiving fabrics that can easily pop in and out of a tote bag. Working with two real-life Fairfield County women as models, they also shared their tips for going from day to night with the quickest possible flip of a wardrobe switch.

Taking care of business

Starting with a serious micro-fiber jacket, Jensen worked with a pile of separates to create a look that was all business. She dressed model Jennifer Cippoletti, a mother of three young children and former jury consultant, in pieces she chose for their professional credibility. Jennifer's Helen Ainson skirt features an interesting geometric pattern, but the detail is subtle enough to pass muster in most professional settings. "It's serious without being boring," Jensen says. Adds Griffin: "She could walk into just about any business meeting wearing this with confidence." Underneath her jacket, a scarf with a hint of metallic detail conceals a gray camisole. "It shows certain sophistication and gives coverage over the camisole without pushing any boundaries," Jensen says

Hitting the town

Taking off the jacket, Jennifer could hit the town wearing the original lacy gray camisole, although Jensen suggested she slip on a more glamorous piece with ruched metallic detail. A fringed metallic choker and coordinating clutch -- with fun chain detail -- adds even more flare.

"Every item we used to change this look could have easily been popped in a briefcase. The pieces are interesting and add drama, but nothing here is so daring that you wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it to an office cocktail party, which can be tricky because you still want to be taken seriously," Griffin says. And the daytime scarf could perform double duty here as an evening wrap.

Meanwhile ¦ HealthyLife loved Jensen's idea of using the skirt as a base for a cute, casual day look. Paired with a cashmere or micro-fiber T-shirt, flat knee-high boots, tights and a few interesting long chains, it could take the polished mom from running errands to the casual office.

From casual days¦

While most of us may consider our best designer jeans (or dare we say it -- our yoga pants?) an about-town staple, the Helen Ainson team suggested a sleeker alternative to create day-to-night options for a more casual lifestyle.

Model Penne Weicker, a busy realtor and mom of teenagers, wears a pair of substantive leggings under a matching sleeveless, gray wool tunic. Deceivingly simple, Jensen chose the tunic for its sophisticated details, which elevate its lines without seeming excessively formal. A Helen Ainson bangle watch with an animal print band was added for an element of fun. "The epaulets, the neckline, the stitching and fabric all make it more refined. It's perfectly casual, but there's nothing sloppy about it." says Jensen. For an even more casual option, flats or boots would work with this look, too.

To hot nights ...

A change of earrings and a sexy, animal print halter with a chain detail at the neckline ratchets up the drama on the simple leggings, requiring only a quick change of jewelry and tops.

Jensen thinks both looks could be tweaked for warmth and coverage with a micro-fiber suit jacket.

Out of the bag¦

For a complete, but easy transformation, Jensen and her team are fans of soft, packable unstructured dresses as a feminine quick-change option for working women and the work-from-home set. "It's the fact that these dresses are one piece and could really spend the day in your tote bag or suitcase that can make them such fabulous options for a woman who wants to change for night, but doesn't want too much fuss."

On Jennifer, a patterned wrap dress of burnt velvet featuring a figure-flattering cinched waist is alluring, while perfectly appropriate for professional cocktails, a charity function, holiday party or dinner with her husband. The pretty jewels Jensen chose to accent the neckline have a luxe vibe but could easily dress up a T-shirt for day. Penne's striking zebra print dress is ultra-packable, but also could be slipped under a jacket for more coverage. "The skirt of that dress peeking from under a black jacket would be cute, but work in some more conservative settings," Jensen says.

What Our Models Thought

Penne loved the tunic and leggings featured in her day look for its utter versatility. "I would wear it to show houses or to have lunch with a friend," she says. Jennifer also loved Penne's day look but with a 15-month-old she joked, "I would probably not wear it every day. I would worry about getting banana on it. For me, it's more lunch with a friend or dinner with my husband." Both women loved Jennifer's skirt and the metallic camisole for evening. "It's polished, but it's more interesting than a basic black dress," Jennifer says. The wrap-style dresses were hits with both ladies. HL

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