In the past couple of months, our cover girl, Melissa O'Donnell, has seen a lot of changes. The production scientist recently got a promotion from the lab into the office. That meant upgrading her practical but not so pretty wardrobe of jeans and T-shirts. Plus, Melissa had lost 25 pounds after completing a rigorous diet and exercise program at the Firm in Minneapolis. "I have a lot of clothes that don't fit," she said. It was time for a fresh look and a better fit.

THE SETUP

We asked Grant Whittaker, a Minneapolis-based style expert, to find office-worthy clothes that would give Melissa a casual but professional look. She also wanted a lesson in mixing and matching and advice on selecting clothes for her 5-foot-11 frame. "I like clothing," she said, "but I'm not sure how to put things together. And because I'm so tall, I'm not sure what looks good on me."

THE GOAL

"I wanted Melissa to feel comfortable and feminine," said Grant. Because she's tall and has an athletic build, Grant thought it was important to come up with an outfit that flattered her form and "added some whimsy."

THE OUTFIT

Grant started with a sheer floral blouse with a hint of frill, then topped it with a fitted muslin-weave jacket. The chocolate piping on the jacket pairs well with the chocolate-colored pants. To accent her natural waistline, he finished the outfit with a wide cinch belt trimmed in leather and a gold clasp. "A great belt can do wonders to create a great silhouette," he said.

THE STORE

Because he wanted to show Melissa that "a basic department store can meet her needs," he shopped at Macy's. According to Grant, many department stores have affordable lines by high-end designers, such as Michael by Michael Kors, that offer style, fit and stretch.

THE MAKEUP

"Melissa has amazing skin," said Grant, "so I used only a tinted moisturizer, a shimmer glaze and a bronzer" for a touch of color on her cheeks. For her eyes, he used shadows in hues of copper, green and charcoal gray. Instead of a heavy eyeliner, he opted for a softer look, using only a double coat of mascara and false eyelashes. He lined her lips in a nude pencil, then filled them in with a burgundy gloss. "The look is fresh, simple and clean," he said.

THE HAIR

To give her short, naturally curly hair a more polished look, Grant used a flat iron to straighten it slightly, then added a root lifter to keep it from looking lifeless.

ACCESSORY SURPRISE

Grant chose to keep accessories to a minimum, aside from the one Melissa wears every day: her glasses.

"A perfect pair of glasses is a key accent," he said. "If you wear glasses, see if you can make the colors of the frames complement your wardrobe."

That's exactly what he did with Melissa's outfit. In fact, he chose the warm brown tones of her outfit to go with her glasses. And that couldn't make Melissa happier. An admitted glasses fiend, she owns eight pairs in her current prescription. "I have to wear them," she said, "so I might as well have fun with them."

THE LOOK

Perfect for the office, a business casual event or dinner out.