How To Dress For Success

"Practical" doesn't always ring fashion-forward, but sleek black accessories can make functional feel chic. Let the stacked-heel pump be your ally for office dressing—wear it with an A-line skirt and a button-down blouse or a cropped jacket to show you mean business. And an exotic-skin handbag is an excellent upgrade over the standard carryall.

Roger Vivier pump, $950, 212-861-5371; Fendi bag, $2,750

A minimal monochromatic look works best with alluringly simple hair and makeup. A polished center part (flat-ironed ends optional) with a quick swipe of pink blush and black mascara gives off a healthy glow that lets your style speak for itself.

Lancôme Blush Subtil Palette Blush & Glow Trio in Ménage à Trios Glow, $42, lancome-usa.com; Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara, $17.50, clinique.com.

Kenzo

An attention-grabbing print is catnip for the fashion set, and in the past few seasons we've grown accustomed to seeing all manner of coordinated separates. Leave it to Kenzo to up the ante and bring accessories into the game: Now it's all about matching your bag to your jacket. Designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim featured the print-on-print look with a jumpsuit in a contrasting pattern, but you may want to dip a toe in the trend with the bag-and-blazer combo first.

Michael Kors jacket, $1,450; Michael Kors clutch, $295; CH Carolina Herrera jacket, $845, 310-276-8900; CH Carolina Herrera clutch, $495, 310-276-8900.

We know better than to match our lipstick to our outfit, but that's not to say there's anything wrong with clothes that take their cue from lipstick. This spring is all about crimson. If you're craving a high-voltage fix, pair your separates with extras in the same shade. Feeling more demure? A red scarf or clutch is a subtle way to ease into the look.

Elsa Peretti for Tiffany Co. pen, $85, 800-526-0649; Coach notebook, $168, coach.com; Hermès scarf, $170, 800-441-4488; Salvatore Ferragamo

Your other must-have red accessory? High-impact nail polish: Vermilion flatters every skin tone. With clothing this colorful, keep your beauty look fresh with an understated rosy cream blush and sleek black eyeliner.

Make Up Forever HD Cream Blush in #330, $26, sephora.com; Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx, $19, smashbox.com; Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in Tapage, $27, chanel.com.

Marni

This is not a season for shoehorning yourself into your pants. Painted-on is out, and loose, slouchy silhouettes are in. The key is proportion: Choose high-waisted ones and pair them with an abbreviated top. (A crop top is always cute, but flashing your midriff isn't mandatory—a tucked-in shirt with a wide belt works just as well.) At Marni the look was shown with platform flip-flops, but the Annie Hall–inspired version (brogues!) is the more office-friendly option.

10 Crosby Derek Lam top, $450, shopbop.com; Janis by Janis Savitt earrings, $80, 212-245-7396; Reed Krakoff pants, $1,190, reedkrakoff.com; 3.1 Phillip Lim pants, $395, 212-334-1160; Church's shoe, $545, 212-758-5200.

The slim, rectangular-faced watch has long been a fashion favorite for its low-key elegance. It's a hallmark of sophistication, especially in black and gold. Take it up a notch with an alligator band, like Jaeger-LeCoultre's, or even further with the addition of a no-nonsense attaché case.

Hermès watch, $2,350, 800-441-4488; Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, 310-734-0525; Cartier watch, $4,950, 800-CARTIER; Coach bag, $598, coach.com.

Neutral doesn't have to mean boring—get a barely there glow with sheer pink lips, bronze highlighter, and a shimmery nude nail.

Revlon Highlighting Palette in Bronze Glow, $10.99, ulta.com; Essie Nail Polish in Cocktails & Coconuts, $8.50, essie.com; Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Lipstick in Corail Jalouse, $35, yslbeautyus.com.