For women, striking a balance between being a sexual being and a professional one is a difficult task.  You don’t want to give up who—and what—you are in order to be taken seriously.  But you don’t want your sexuality getting in the way of your career.  In short, just because you’re a professional woman doesn’t mean you’re not a sexual one… but the unfair “rules” of the workplace seem designed to force you to choose. 

Fortunately, there are plenty of little tricks you can use in your office wardrobe to let all of your sex-appeal show—while staying as buttoned-up and professional as you need to.

6 Tips for a Sexy Career Wardrobe

1. Choose touchable fabrics. There’s something irresistibly sensual about a soft and touchable fabric.  If you want to look and feel sexy but keep it subtle, look for the styles you normally wear in soft and sensual fabrics. Satin just begs to be looked at and touched, as do soft silks, velvets, and furs.  Anything that subtlety states “touch me” to the opposite sex will immediately vamp up your sex appeal… without you having to show a thing.

2. Show off your waist. The waist is becoming one of the year’s biggest fashion accessories.  You can stay utterly professional yet highlight your femininity and sexuality by showing it off.  Shop for some high-waisted trousers and skirts to show off your waist.  Or cinch it with a skinny belt over a long jacket to show off your shape.

3. Think shape, not length. When many women think of being sexy at work, they often think of lower-cut tops or shorter skirts, a la Ally McBeal.  And while a short skirt will always ooze sex appeal, there are other, more subtle ways to do the same thing.  And that’s by showing off your shape and silhouette instead of your legs or your cleavage.  Combine a figure-hugging top with a loose, flowing bottom, or vice versa.  Show off your breasts, waist, hips and shoulders instead of your skin.

4. Add feminine details. As a woman, being sexy is all about being feminine.  And it’s perfectly possible to be utterly feminine yet completely professional at the same time—all you have to do is add details.  With simple, feminine jewelry, soft ruffles, and other feminine details, you can add sex appeal by highlighting, well… your sex. You’re a woman and that alone makes you sexy.  Don’t let the men you work with forget it.

5. Combine masculinity with femininity.  All men have the fantasy about the sexy librarian, all buttoned up, but ready to take it all down at a moment’s notice.  And that’s why combining feminine and masculine styling is so sensual and sexy—but totally professional.  Combine a pretty skirt with a masculine-styled vest, or a pair of wide-leg men’s style trousers with a feminine top in a light and airy fabric.  You won’t have to do anything to be sexy… the contrast of the two styles will highlight your sexuality for you.

6. Shout “sexy” with shoes. With office clothing, you need to be conservative about necklines and skirt lengths.  But nothing screams “sexy” quite as loud as a really hot pair of heels—and you don’t have to worry for a moment about being inappropriate.  A pair of mile-high stilettos can transform even the most professional outfit into something subtly sexy and desirable.  Hey, they’re not called “you-know-what”-me heels for nothing.