How to: prepare for a big day at work followed by a big night out

A major challenge for many working women is how to prepare for a big day at the office followed by a big night out on the town. Balancing a career and a social life is no easy task, especially when there isn't enough time to go home to change. But, you don't need a car full of clothes or the skills of a magician to make a successful transition. For the cocktail parties, dinners and special events that fill our social calendars, it's easy to make a few minor--but significant--adjustments from day to evening.

Deborah Satterfield has the art of the quick-change down to a science. A technological support manager for Ameritech, Satterfield is constantly on the go. Sixty-hour workweeks are the norm, and she rarely leaves the office before 7:30 at night. Part of her job includes entertaining clients after-hours, but she also finds time to have dinner with friends or go to a jazz club.

Satterfield makes the transformation with versatile clothes. "I usually wear a skirt suit to work with a camisole underneath," she explains. "I open the jacket, adjust my makeup and hair, change my shoes and I'm ready for the evening."

When a more dramatic change is necessary, Satterfield packs a few special accessories into a garment bag she brings to work. At the end of the day, she slips into the ladies' room and trades her plain earrings and sensible shoes for dressier jewelry and strappy high heels. Her hair, worn loose during the day, is gathered into a chic upsweep. After applying eye shadow and lipstick, she exchanges her briefcase for a clutch purse.

When it comes to the contents of her evening bag, Satterfield travels light. "You work wardrobe, it is wise to invest in dual-purpose separates--jackets, skirts, pants, vest--in rich-looking fabrics. These can be worn with a businesslike blouse, minimal jewelry and plain pumps for work, and with a barer top, sparkly jewelry, and sexier shoes for evening. When meeting friends or loved ones, anything goes, but if the affair is work-related, don't dress too sexy or bare. Dress in a manner that projects your business sense, not your fashion sense.

When it comes to makeup, simply add to your daytime look by accentuating your best features. Bolder eye shadow or a deeper shade of lipstick can make a big difference. A minimalist when it comes to beauty, Angelique Hayes-Robinson only wears lipstick during the day. "When I get ready to go out after work, I put on some eye shadow, mascara and pencil in my eyebrows," says the senior budget analyst for the District of Columbia.

Hayes-Robinson likes to meet friends for dinner or cocktails after work. She keeps a stash of beauty supplies tucked into a drawer that includes facial cleanser and her favorite perfume. In anticipation of last-minute get-togethers, she also stores an "emergency" top and pair of shoes in her office.

While she doesn't change her shoulder-length hairstyle when she goes out, Hayes-Robinson does make sure her accessories complement her outfit. "My jewelry changes according to the neckline," she says. A high-neck blouse, for example, calls to the necklace; collared shirts are worn with a choker; v-neck tops are paired with y-chain or 18-inch necklaces. Hayes-Robinson is partial to silver jewelry, but will switch to gold if dictated by her ensemble.

Determining what will work best for your day-into-evening transition can be challenging. Consider the amount of time you'll have to change when putting together an outfit. Take into account how many items you bring to work in the morning. For example, if you carry a briefcase and a laptop computer case, adding a garment bag may be too strenuous. If that is the case, you may want to layer your clothing instead of bringing a change of outfit.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR MAKING A STYLISH TRANSITION

* SHELL TOP -- Available with or without sleeves. This season, look for shells with delicate embroidery or with draped necklines in jewel-toned velvet.

* WRAP DRESS -- Suitable for the office without sacrificing femininity, a simple change of shoes and jewelry will dress it up or down.

* TWIN SET -- A camisole worn under a matching long-sleeved cardigan is appropriate for a casual work environment. After hours, simply remove the cardigan or tie it around your neck for a sportier look.

* MEDIUM-HEELED PUMPS -- If you don't want to change your shoes, pumps in black satin or grosgrain are versatile.

* THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS -- In all its variations, any time is the right time for this wardrobe staple. Fashionable for fall is a longer length, perfect at mid-calf or grazing the ankles. If you wear a dress to work that is sleeveless or has a plunging neckline, be sure to cover up with a jacket during the day.