The Anatomy of an After 5 Outfit: Ladies’ Cold Weather Edition

The “Combat the Cold” Layer. Since the featured dress in this outfit is sleeveless, as so many dresses are, this shrug is a beautiful option to wear with it. The touch of metallic threading throughout keeps it looking polished and night-ready. And unlike a typical cardigan, the cropped, leaner silhouette – in a modern, easy fit of S/M or M/L – is the right proportion to wear over the dress, keeping the look dressy and sleek. It comes in 2 colors that will work – we’re showing you the deep grey version, but it’s also available in black if you need it for other dresses, too. If you want to really dress this look up for a more upscale event, replace this knit shrug with a lace/cashmere wrap scarf.

The Shoes. The combination of suede with leather just along the scalloped edge of these Stuart Weitzman pumps plays into the mixed materials of the featured dress in this look for a beautiful pairing. And the rich suede is so right for the season. We’re showing the black version of these pointed-toe heels here – you’ll get so much wear out of them, whether you wear them with a dress, skirt, or even dress up your jeans with them. But, as you’ll see through the ‘shop it’ button, they also come in a rich grey that would work really well. As we mentioned, you can dress this outfit up even more with just a few changes to your accessories. For the shoes, go with a lace pump, instead.

The Stylish Accessory. With the deep greys and blacks in this outfit, this Kendra Scott pendant necklace, made of a deep gunmetal silver and black drusy stone is just the touch of sparkle that completes this look. With the mix of materials in the dress,and the shrug, you don’t need to make a big statement with your jewelry. The length of this piece sits perfectly in the split neckline of the dress. If you are dressing this up for a more formal event, you can add some extra sparkle with this silver encrusted necklace.

The Finishing Touch Accessory. Dressed to the nines or just upscale for the night, this DVF clutch will work both ways. The leather flap is accented with a subtle dusting of a glittery finish, giving it a touch of shimmer that plays into the lace and snake print details of the dress, as well as the rich suede of the shoes. The combination reflects a little sartorial know-how on your part – no need to match all of your leather accents exactly, they just need to coordinate for a stylish and timeless approach.

The Top (The Core Piece of the Outfit). There is nothing like an all-black outfit that makes you feel sexy for a night out. You don’t need to be a New Yorker to love the benefits of always slimming black and the confident allure it creates. We don’t usually highlight pieces that can’t be worn with a basic bra, but we’re making an exception for this Susana Monaco top. The thick stretchy fabric smooths and flatters, sucking you in and even helping to lift up your chest, so you can wear a strapless bra and still have support. (If you have a bra with thin straps, go for it. It’s no big deal to see a little strap, and we’re showing you the perfect cardigan to wear over it, too.) Of course, it’s the pleated peplum that will really have heads turning. Peplums highlight your waist and conceal your hips, and this one is a bit shorter with a pleat stitch, instead of ruffle so it doesn’t create too much volume. It still does the trick, but it has a bit more of a contemporary and updated feel than a typical peplum top, creating the perfect sexy top, even for ladies who don’t think they can comfortably pull one off. You can with this one. (And if we still haven't convinced you, this Banana Republic top will work with the rest of this outfit, too.)

The “Combat the Cold” Layer. A true must-have, this Vince sweater is the perfect slim layer over the sexy top in this outfit. (And you’ll love having it to wear over a dress or with a skirt, too). The shorter length creates just the right proportion to show off the peplum. And the slim shape doesn’t add any volume, which is key to this sleek look. Besides, it’s just so soft and cozy feeling. It balances the spicy feeling of the top, creating a ladylike and always appropriate look. Unlike most Vince styles, it’s a trimmer fit, so you don’t need to size down, XXS-XL.

The Bottom. Oh, ladies, these are so soft and comfortable, it’s shocking to actually look in the mirror and see that they look like a hip pair of suede skinny jeans because they are even more comfortable than your favorite leggings. The stretch is great, keeping them fitted to your legs and the knees won’t bag. They are Joe’s typically contemporary fit, so go with your normal size. (If you are between sizes in jeans, you can go with the smaller one in this pair.) You will wear these all Winter long, whether you wear them as part of a sexy date night look, as we’re showing you’re here, or with a cozy sweater or plaid button down and boots for an edgy night-out look. If your size is already sold out through the ‘shop it’ button, check Joe’s own website. Both offer free shipping.

The Shoes. This is an open-toe that you can do in the colder months, thanks to its boot/pumps hybrid look. The cut outs create just the right amount of negative space, showing just a touch of skin to create a balanced break between the jeans in this outfit and the shoes. They look great with skirts and dresses, too.