A reader poses an interesting dilemma this week. She holds a high-powered position in a male-dominated field, for which she dresses very professionally. Her quandary comes from after-hours affairs, where the spouses – mostly wives – come in “little cocktail dresses” and other very slinky numbers.

Our reader is concerned that dressing in kind will lead her colleagues to regard her differently – to suddenly treat her as one of the wives rather than as part of the team, a fellow professional.

She wants to avoid the “trophy wife” look, but she also does not want to appear stiff and humorless. What is the solution?

Our reader’s concerns are legitimate. We may wish it weren’t so, but roles and perceptions can change on a dime, or a wardrobe choice. To maintain her status in the eyes of her colleagues, the best outfit for our reader to select for this type of occasion is something in line with her usual work wear, jazzed up with a bit of flair – in this case, a suit.

A suit can cross over easily into evening events with a few modifications. To begin with, this is the perfect excuse to wear a trendier suit – right now that means one with a shorter skirt and a body-hugging suit jacket. Wearing a bright-colored spring suit or one with some texture to it might also work, depending on the occasion.

This is also the time to leave the collared buttoned-down blouse in the closet in favor of a sexier camisole or low-cut V-neck satin top. (If it’s too low, pin it together with a rhinestone pin, leaving just a hint of cleavage showing.) A silk scarf around your neck can also dress up a suit.

Finally, remember, these days, it’s all about the bling! Make a splash with beads, rhinestones, gold, silver, or whatever suits your fancy. A necklace, bracelet, and earrings will dress up your outfit without detracting from your professional appearance.

Dear Jordan,

I’ve noticed more men’s suits with center vents lately. Which is better, side or center?

– Gary, Long Island City, N.Y.

Dear Gary,

Side vents and center vents are both perfectly acceptable. They vary according to the style of the suit. Traditionally, men’s suits are constructed with side vents, but several leading designers are bringing interest into the slow-moving world of men’s fashion by designing new twists for suit vents, lapels, pockets, buttons, silhouettes, and even linings.

Dear Jordan,

Despite my best efforts, I often arrive at work with baby drool on my shoulder. Do you have any tips for tackling this problem?

– Gwen, Astoria, N.Y.

Dear Gwen,

The best solution is prevention. Try to keep a cloth diaper or burp cloth handy at all times, with spares in your glove compartment and purse. If you doubt the success of your prevention methods, consider wearing clothes that will be easier to clean up. Synthetics provide much more resistance to baby drool than natural fibers, I’ve found. A good rub with a wet cloth and you should be as good as new. Light-colored clothes are also preferable, as baby drool tends to dry into a white cake that shows up from four miles away on a black suit, but is far less obtrusive on light blue. Finally, if nothing works, just make a joke about it. If baby drool isn’t funny, nothing is!

Ms. Speer is the senior editor of an apparel business magazine and has been writing about the industry for more than nine years. Send workplace or corporate fashion questions to styleforsuccess@aol.com.