Expert: RJ - 9/6/2006

Question
don't have a lot of money but could seriously use your help!  Another problem is my terrible difficult size! am 4'10, 90 pounds and can't seem to find any clothing unless I buy a girls size 12 with butterflys!  Need to know best ways to vamp up biz wardrobe, currently pants brown, black, navy, jacket pink, long jersey blk, jersey brown, shoes: brown mary jane heels, black boots. accesories: 1 silver hoops, gold hoops. Best Suggestions please!!? thanks so much!!

Answer
Dear DB,
First, let me address your size.  I have a close girl friend who is one of the most elegant dressers I know.  She is TINY and does much of her shopping in childrens/preteen depts of stores.  She finds truly elegant items and pays a fraction of what those of us who must shop in women's stores pay!  You don't have to own butterfly decorated clothes!  Shop carefully.  
Your basic wardrobe is well coordinated in that you have brown, black and navy pants.  If you want to add another pair of pants (or a suit), add grey. Grey is a highly versatile color and can be worn with black, navy, and browns in addition to just about every other color in the rainbow! If you are willing to add skirts as well, add grey and either black or brown or go for a subtle plaid or stripe in the basic colors you have already selected.  A good idea would be to buy a skirt suit or two instead of separates(or one skirt suit and one pant suit if you aren't a fan of skirts)  combining the basic colors already in your wardrobe, making sure the blazer from the suit looks well with at least two of the pants (for example, if you buy a grey with navy pin stripe skirt suit and the grey matches the new grey pants you are buying, you can also wear it with your navy pants.  If you buy a multicolor plaid with browns and  blacks, you'll be able to wear the jacket with both brown and black pants too). and).  If you have 4 pants and 2 skirts, that will be enough to work wonders with.
The pink jacket sounds like it  matches all your solid pants/skirts.  I'm thinking when you say jacket, you mean blazer since we're talking about a business wardrobe.  Am I right?  If so, it's a good start.  The one or two blazer(s) from the new suit(s)will allow you to coordinate at up to  6 other business "suits".  You do need a t least one blazer aside from the pink one and I strongly urge you to go the suit route and then use the blazer with other solids as described above, rather than buying just a blazer.  
The sweaters you own are fine and allow for more flexibilty in making outfits so there's no problem there.  Add a pair of black shoes....basic pumps, I would say.  That way, you'll have brown and black shoes that you can wear with absolutely everything you own to  wear to the office.  
You don't mention tops/blouses but I'm guessing you own the basics.  You must have a white blouse!  Next, lay out all your outfits and decide on four to six tops that would match the most while looking flattering on your body.  Color is personal but I always like pale and dusty blues because they go with everything basic so I would suggest a blouse or knit top in that tone.  I also like to have the basic color tops....black, a warm (not too dark)brown, grey and camel/tan/beige...something in that family.  Depending on where you live, get short or long sleeve sweater or knit tops that you can wear tucked in or out with all your paints and jackets. Get two belts as well...one brown and one black.  Go for the wider, lower slung look and wear them  over your untucked knit tops with either pants or skirts.  Wear the coordinating shoes.
Finally, depending on personal taste, you may also want to pick up a scarf or two in multicolors that coordinate with your basics but also add splashes of color.  Similarly, you may want to get some inexpensive necklaces...solid gold or silver colored or those with multicolored beads.  Saw some in Target recently for a few dollars!

OKAY DB!  Hope this helps...please feel free to ask again...it was a pleasure to help you.  All ratings are appreciated!  Best,   RJ