Having successfully broken free of career-separates connotations, tailoring continues to lead the fashion charge. And with good reason. There’s nothing like a power suit or perfectly cut shirt to make you feel instantly pulled together, but once you’ve got the classics down pat (you’ll no doubt already have a white blouse and checked blazer on high rotation), consider investing in talking-point pieces that bring fresh appeal to the trend.

Think of the effect as subtle rather than statement—the simple addition of softly fluted cuffs puts a feminine bent on a standard-issue trench coat, while pants decorated with a ruffle feel eminently more playful. In lieu of a new silhouette, branch out from the black and white palette traditionally associated with tailoring and let bold stripes or a shade of candy pink do the talking. There will be plenty of others excited to join the conversation.