Most women have the basics in their wardrobe—the little black dress, the classic pencil skirt—but may need help accessorizing the overall look to add some personal style.  Chatelaine’s Tyler Franch stopped by Cityline to share his tips for dressing up those essential pieces of clothing in your closet.

The little black dress:

Tyler recommends dressing down this oft-formal look with a sporty varsity jacket along with a flashy pair or sunglasses and sport bag.  The look is dressy meets casual, he says.

If more dressed up is your goal, Tyler says a sequin-accented or matte jacket pairs well with this classic.  A chunky necklace will finish off the bumped-up look.

Pencil skirts and business casual:

A great way to take your look from office to after-work cocktails would be to add shiny accessories like a pair of metallic flats, shown in the segment below.

Bold colours, particularly in your accessories, will give extra ‘pop’, Tyler says.

The boyfriend-inspired look:

This look is evergreen, Tyler notes.  A classic boyfriend-inspired cardigan will last for a long time, looks great with most outfits, and will keep you warm on chilly days.

Lastly, a shiny, menswear-inspired watch is a stylish yet professional touch to incorporate into your wardrobe.

What do you do to add flair to the basic pieces of clothing in your closet?  Share your ideas in the comments below!