From Straight Shooter...
Come January and February, workhorse pencil skirts can seem about as exciting as expense reports.

To Dandy Striper
Take a cue from the tuxedo and upgrade your skirt by applying a strip of cotton sateen ribbon down each side. Regular satin doesn't work as well, cautions fashion editor Katie Hatch, the mastermind behind the ideas in this story. Cotton sateen is more durable. It has a subtler sheen but still adds texture and tone.

DIY How-To
1. To determine how much ribbon you need, measure the length of your skirt, double it, and add a few
extra inches.

2. Select a 1-inch-wide cotton sateen ribbon. Cut to determined length, then cut in half.

3. Position Steam-A-Seam fusible tape (avail-able in a variety of widths at sewing and craft stores) onto one ribbon strip. Fold under one end of ribbon and tape (about 1 inch) and iron it to create a finished edge. Add an inch of tape onto that end.

4. Align finished edge with bottom of waistband. Press ribbon along the side seam and fold excess ribbon (about 1 inch) under the hem. Iron to affix ribbon to skirt.

5. Repeat to secure second ribbon strip to the other side seam.

Credits: Ribbon, $5 per meter, Shindo, 212-868-9311.  Common Thread Top, $238, Willow St., 908-277-3334. M+J Savitt Earrings, $175, and Bracelet, $165, 800-372-8488.