This question was inspired by the threads on power suits and on avoiding the "nice" look, but in a different enough direction that I think it warrants a separate thread.

Also it's inspired by Angie's thread last week about square scarves.

Here's my twisty logic: I don't/can't wear blazers, although I love them, because I cover my outfit with a white coat at work, and the triple sleeve layer is just too warm and too awkward. I still often embrace the third piece in the form of a sweater vest or gilet, or a cardigan or scarf.

Last week I had a daytime ER shift so I dressed for comfort in black Ponte skinnies and a white pinstriped shirt. At the last minute I recalled I also had to chair a family conference, so I needed to add a soupçon of She-who-must-be-obeyed. Without time to rethink the whole outfit, I grabbed a large silk square (with red well-represented) and double-tied it around my neck in a fashion known to preppies everywhere. And spent extra time on my eyebrows (an epiphany recorded on YLF previously, when I watched Julianne Moore in the 3rd Hunger Games movie play a Strong Fearless Leader with long grey hair but great eyebrows). I think it worked.

Do you have any secrets or tweaks?