Your daytime look is office classic, but you’re on your way to an after-hours event and you simply don’t have time to go home and change. How do you transform a no-nonsense daytime look into an appealing evening style?

With a little advance planning, a few easy additions, and half an hour (or less!) behind a closed door, it’s actually easy to make a stunning transition from executive efficiency to casual chic or even night time glam.

Start by selecting a daytime outfit that’s easy to style up or down. If you head for the office wearing well-chosen separates, you’re already halfway to a totally different look. Simply switch out the skirt or slacks for jeans or shorts and you’re ready for a barbeque or beach party, or change the daytime top for something silky, sequined, or shimmery and you’re well on your way to the perfect date outfit.

Change your shoes, bag, and accessories. You can completely change the impact of an outfit by changing the way you style it. Switching from simple pumps to strappy sandals with skinny heels automatically ups the glam factor, as does changing from a utilitarian all-purpose bag to a sassy little clutch. Change from discreetly office-appropriate earrings to dangles or big hoops, add a colorful scarf or statement necklace, and slip on a bracelet or two and you’re ready for a night on the town.

Put your hair up. Or take it down. If your everyday work hairdo is a smooth and classic loose style, an updo will instantly take you into elegant evening wear territory. And if you generally wear you hair up in a bun, pony, chignon, or braids, letting it flow is an immediate transition from pulled-together office lady to sexy chic. Hair accessories like decorative combs, pins, and barrettes can add sparkle and style while keeping your hair in place.

Glam up your makeup. Simply amping up the volume on your daytime makeup look with more definitive lip and cheek color will go a long way toward the day-to-night transition, and of course nothing says evening glamor like a dark, smoky eye or bright red lips. Depending on your evening destination, consider adding some dramatic touches with winged eyeliner, shimmery or even sparkly eye shadow, or a dusting of pearlescent highlighter to give your face a candlelight glow.

Add a jacket. Or lose one. Sometimes all it takes to transform an outfit is adding, subtracting, or replacing a jacket. Switch a blazer for a slinky, sequined sweater, or add a drapey knit or chiffon topper over a simple sheath. Or lose the jacket all together and accessorize your blouse, top, dress, or bare arms.