Dressing to impress in a casual era

If we are what we wear, many of us are in trouble.

Our clothes fairly shout “We don't care!” It's often hard to miss the khakis we wear to work, impossible to overlook the halters and torn jeans we sport in restaurants.

“They're public places, not your living room,” says fashion designer Trina Turk. “Sleek knits are fine, not fleece sweatpants, nylon windbreakers or flannel pajamas — except at health clubs.”

How do we spruce up without dulling down? Try the unexpected, pairing formal with informal or minimalist with ornate in a mash-up of styles that's overtaking fashion, home décor — and even music.

“It's a balance of high and low price points,” says Tibi designer Amy Smilovic. “The most unlikely combination often works best. So dress casual on the bottom and dressy on top or vice versa.” That doesn't mean dressing the same for work as for weddings — or that sequined hot pants with a pinstripe shirt works for either.

Avoid five mode mishaps with these tips from fashion pros:

At the office. Mad Men works better than “gym rat,” Turk says. “Looking like you made an effort is the best way to express that you value your job and respect your co-workers.'' So fire sweatshirts, sneakers and shredded dungarees. Not even a tuxedo shirt and pencil skirt can make such weekend wear work-worthy. Instead, wear a slogan-free T-shirt with crisp blazer, baggy slacks and stilettos or a tweed jacket with a silk skirt — “nothing too bare or fussy,” Turk says.

At cocktail parties. Shed the cardigan and add statement jewelry and a clutch to make office wear more festive. “A solid, bright color stands out in a sea of little black dresses,” Turk says. “Bare arms are OK, but leave major cleavage at home.” Go hip with skinny pants topped by a cashmere sweater and piles of pearls.

At restaurants. A “party” top over jeans (but not torn jeans) works well at bistros. But fancy fÍtes require fancier duds: a dress and major costume jewelry. “It blows it if the person beside me at the opera is in head-to-toe tracksuit,” Smilovic says. “If you can't stomach risking sedateness, throw a shrunken leather jacket on top of a dressy dress.”