One of the secrets of expanding a small wardrobe is to make sure that each piece you buy can be worn with something you already have. Let's look at Zappos.com for three easy pieces, and then think about how you can wear each one with something already in your closet.

Everyone needs a good pair of trousers, and these "Jackie" wide leg pants from Liz Claiborne do the trick. They're denim with a classic cut and style. The flat waistband sits at the natural waist, and the hems of those wide legs are cuffed. These are classic pants you can dress up or down, and wear with almost anything.

The second piece of this outfit is this stylish scoop-line top from MICHAEL at Michael Kors. It has a flowing design to make it comfortable, and that scoop neckline is dressed up with little round studs. Its vivid red coloring is the perfect complement to the dark pants.

Finally, layer the top with another Liz Claiborne piece; this stretch denim peacoat is all about style, with a double breasted three-button front, pointed collar, and welt pockets. The cuffs have a button accent, and the jacket has a back vent for ease of movement.

Put the pieces together, and you've got a great outfit. But look at them separately and see what else they can do. The pants can dress down with a colorful tee, or dress up a bit with a long-sleeved shirt (think Tommy Bahama or BCBGirls) left out or tucked in. You can top the shirt with a cardigan when cooler temperatures arrive.

The peacoat, in navy denim, is a neutral that can top almost anything in your closet. If you have a sheath dress (look at the ones from Hype for ideas), top it with the jacket before you put it away for fall, and keep wearing the summer dress through the next season. Finally, the Michael Kors top would be perfect over white pants or capris for a bright summer look.

Now you've got three easy pieces and four stylish looks. Does life get any better?

If you've ever been to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., you know this already: It's not just one museum, it is many museums, with an almost uncountable number of displays of everything you can imagine. Museum experts say it would take 400 years to see it all, so when you go, you should decide what you'd most like to see, and start with those exhibits, and end before you collapse. You may want to choose the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and learn about fashion and its history for yourself.

What do you wear to a museum? Pretty much anything you want to. But if you're planning a night out after museum viewing, you might want to plan ahead. Start with this absolutely gorgeous silk ruffle-front blouse in a yellow peony watercolor peony print, from Liz Claiborne. The ruffle and cap sleeves have a tiny polka dot print. This top can take you anywhere, but for the museum, pair it with Liz Claiborne black crop pants in black, and add comfortable shoes for walking through all those grand hallways. A cute watch and a cross body bag will complete the outfit.

Keep the silk blouse and add this flared white skirt from Pure & Simple. Ending just above the knee, this skirt truly is simple, keeping the blouse as the eye-catching part of the look. Add a cute clutch and low-heeled sandals, with a pair of elegant earrings to complete the look. You are now ready to head for one of the great cafes or nightclubs in Georgetown or Adams Morgan to dance the night away, or you could choose to catch a great performance at the Kennedy Center. With the peony silk ruffle front blouse as the center of your look, you are truly ready for anything.

Wouldn't it be sweet if *one great jacket could take you from work on Friday through fun downtown or by the sea on the weekend*? Well, take a deep breath, stylistas, because here's just the jacket, and what to wear with it, for you!

Ah, the jacketjacket! This is the O'Neill Belle jacket that comes in both white and black, and either one will do. For work, pair it with some office-worthy but still stylish trousers like the tropical wool trousers from Tommy Bahama, and a head-turning blouse like this little number by BCBGirls with shirred details on the bodice and back with a rounded collar, and buttons on the front and with cuffed sleeves. It comes in both slate and pink, and while you could choose either, the whisper pink adds a whisper of femininity to the whole outfit.

That outfit's not quite ready to head out the door without two more items. First, a big bag or tote like the Marc by Marc Jacobs Totally Turnlock Mag Bag, with room for everything, including a change of clothes for Friday night! Your toes will be happy all day in D Stephany 05 ballet flats in black patent from Geox D.

Moving on to the weekend is a snap. Keep the jacket (of course) but change the trousers and shirt for a cheeky little gingham shirt dress from Fred Perry. Comfy, stylish, a little bit preppy (the Hamptons, anyone?) but definitely fun. Those ballet flats look great with this dress too, so all you need is a pop of color like a Liz Claiborne silky shrunken leather bucket bag in Lemon, and you're ready to take on anything the weekend has in store!

Fashion mavens say brown is the new black, or maybe it's pink this year, who knows? But one thing is always certain: every stylish woman needs at least one versatile little black dress in her wardrobe, a dress that can go anywhere with the right accessories.

Start with a sleeveless black "Samba" dress from Lole. Take it to the office by adding a great jacket, and stay work-focused in Tantra shoes by JUMP in black with stylish cut-outs and a cute little bow. For that essential burst of color, try a doctor bag from Carlos Falchi in orange. If you want to add just a hint of the wild, add an animal bangle watch from Pedre Watch.

Switch into a casual mode by slipping on a yellow tee from Fitzwell Allison under the dress, or not, depending on your mood. But do wear darling red sandals by Annie, comfortable enough for shopping or afternoon tea, and carry the party with you with a fiesta-look South of the Border tote from Betseyville Handbags. For a glint of gold at your ear, add sophisticated large hoop earrings in polished gold from Sheila Faji.

Turn the dress into perfect date wear easily. Dress up with Jelissa2 pumps from GUESS in gold leather. Add more gold with a Franchi pleated clutch with room for the essentials, like keys, wallet, and lipstick, and so much style it might explode. Swap the hoops for something luxurious, like "Just Lilly" fleur de lis gold earrings from Just Cavalli. Wrap it all up with an Italian linen wrap that doubles as a scarf from Love Quotes in confetti; a snazzy name for a snazzy fuchsia shade to make your outfit stand out.

It's amazing what one little black dress can do. Fashionistas, put your mind to it, and I'm sure you can come up with even more looks all by yourselves.

Dressing stylishly is about much more than the perfect pair of jeans, although that's a great place to start. It's about putting the right pieces together to make a great outfit that can go from one setting to another with only a couple of changes, and the right accessories.

Let's start with shopping and lunch with your girlfriends. These great jeans are 7 for All Mankind high waist boot cut jeans in a stretch denim with dark wash, designed to flatter your figure, and to be fashion forward while making a nod to fashion's past. Top it with this chic tie neck A-line top in a dark sapphire from BCB Generation.

Add a funky jacket like this Gaultier in off-white that curves in to the waist and flares out to the bottom back. The double floret button front adds to its appeal, as do the puffed sleeves. Yes, it's shorter than the top - that's OK. The perfect day shoes are ankle boots from Charlie One Horse by Lucchese with a cushioned insole and a two and a half inch heel. Make this outfit really pop with this Damascus Satchel in a spring-time violet, with enough room for wallet, shades, and even a bottle of water.

To change this outfit for an evening out with your significant other, just switch to a Robert Rodriguez jacket in Carbon, with a two button closure and shawl collar that lets the lovely neckline of your top be seen. The three-quarter inch sleeves are accented with double buttons for an extra touch of style. Change your shoes for evening to a pair of sexy gladiator sandals from Promiscuous, in black patent. The final touch? These feminine and oh-so-sexy marcasite and pearl drop earrings from Judith Jack. Keep the satchel because it adds that touch of brightness that gets you noticed.

Styling it is not that hard, you just need the right pieces with great accessories, and you too can be runway ready!