Perhaps ten years ago, I read an article in Vogue magazine about the I-have-nothing-to-wear dilemma. The problem, according to one stylist profiled in the article, is that most of us are only wearing about a third of what we own; we segregate our closets into Work and Weekend and Special Occasion, and we NEVER cross the lines between categories.

Velvet Bella jacket, J. Crew, $158.00

There are some pieces -- an evening gown, for example -- that lend themselves to categorization; honestly, you're not going to run to the market in a full-length silk dress. But other pieces -- suits and jeans and shoes with wee heels -- are equally appropriate for work and weekend and everything in between.

The velvet jacket is a good example of this.