New Year, New Wardrobe!

Coral pants stand in for black ones

Because she works in the garden department of a home improvement store—where she drives a forklift—Juliette Branker, 53, mostly relies on subdued separates. So these coral linen-silk trousers (Tibi, $295) were a revelation. "The color reminds me of my favorite flower, the hibiscus. Since I'm from Barbados, I've got the skin tone to pull it off." There's more than a whiff of whimsy in the ruffled polka-dot blouse (Ann Taylor, $88). A rope belt (Tibi) and sandals (Tory Burch) are a study in nautical chic.

Cuff bangle, Melinda Maria. Ring, Miriam Salat. Chair, Poul Kjærholm, 1957, Suite New York.