Tabitha Takes On... Sweater Dressing.(Tabitha Simmons)(Buyers guide)

Byline: editor: Sally Singer

What's the chicest look for the city right now? As far as Tabitha Simmons is concerned, nothing beats a sleek, body-conscious knit.

When other women do day-to-night dressing, they change their shoes. Me, I take off my cardigan, which I'll wear during working hours to play down the preciousness of the dress underneath (see the above combination of Alexander McQueen with Prada). I was doing the same thing a few months back with a fluttery Balenciaga print dress and a Chanel cardigan that my friend Karen Elson had left at my place. (And I still haven't given it back: Sorry, Karen!) I actually prefer men's cardigans--like this Prada one--because they tend to be slouchier in shape and simpler in style. The other looks here are much more streamlined. What you end up with is what I consider perfect city dressing: smart and unfussy, with a touch of real softness to it.

The Sari Gueron cardigan over this Louis Vuitton skirt gives you a different way to think about a mismatched spring suit because the proportions are so lean and clean. I would probably wear a bigger, longer cardigan--brilliant at hiding a multitude of sins. . . .

If you're going to wear a sweater and a knit skirt, here's what I think you have to do: Go bold and graphic on top, and keep the bottom half simple, like this thirties-feel Chanel over Donna Karan.

the perfect accessories

With such a grown-up look, you really need a few fun contrasts: a ...