Trend Report: What to wear to work

Looking both professional and fashionable in a town focused on power and politics can be challenging. Just ask Betsy Fisher, who from her eponymous store has been catering to a clientele of lawyers and journalists since 1988. Her formula for successful dressing in 2012: Embrace the runway trend of bright hues, but calm the color with texture, and pair it with neutrals. — Janet Bennett Kelly

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Slim-fitting trousers from The LOFT

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Kassie Rempel of Simply Soles starts from the ground up, building an outfit around a pair of shoes. For the office and shuttling around town by foot or Metro, she opts for brown suede wedges from Lilybee and suggests wearing them with tapered pants. Find slacks that fit well, she says. Or enlist the aid of a tailor. Gwyneth by Lillybee, $158 at Simply Soles, National Harbor, 138 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, 301-749-1744 and www.simplysoles.com.

Courtesy of Simply Soles

Pop a shot of emerald green into your clothing choice for the day with J. Crew’s fitted shirt. The shade plays well with charcoal gray pants or a navy A-line skirt. For casual Friday, tuck it into a hydrangea-blue pencil skirt. Also available in black and white. Three-quarter-sleeve stretch perfect shirt. $65 at www.jcrew.com.

Courtesy of J. Crew

The feminine bow at the neck of this sweater dress telegraphs a little bit of old-fashioned sweetness, while the color-blocking and the curve-flattering shape say, “I’m hip and confident.” And couldn’t we all benefit from employing all three qualities on the job? Tie-neck sweater dress, $158, at Anthropologie stores and www.anthropologie.com.

Courtesy of Anthropologie

For 2012, take more cues from how “The Good Wife’s” Alicia Florrick, played by Julianna Margulies, at left, dresses for her role of a law-firm associate.

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