Misguided wardrobe choices

Do:

• Consider your daily schedule, what will carry you through the day.
• Ladies, wear walking shoes to and from work and dress shoes at work.
• Dress for your size. Consider the messages you will send with what you wear. Check out the cut of your neckline ladies. If someone is standing while you are sitting how far down your top can they see.
• Invest in a well made suit, if appropriate, and build a wardrobe from this suit. Buy complimentary shirts, skirts, ties, slacks, and shoes. Wear up to date ties and accessories.
• Know if your workplace is a scent free environment.
• Dress to fit the environment and ensure the clothing fits you properly. Follow your boss’s lead – though this can be misleading at times.
• Use an iron and make sure your clothing is spot free and clean.

Don’t:

• Extreme fashions are short lived and end up costing a lot more money.
• Don’t show inappropriate skin.
• No flip flops please.
• No noisy jewellery.
• No heavy make-up.
• No T shirts with writing on the front.
• Don’t replace quality with quantity – shop consignment, Goodwill or Value Village to dress well for less.

When getting dressed in the morning, ask yourself if your clients or customers will see you as the expert you are if dressed this way. Would you want to do business with you? If you could wear what you have on to a sporting event, change it.

It is now up to corporations to write and implement their own dress code that is congruent with their work environment. While you are waiting to be told what you can and can’t wear, start tomorrow by dressing one step up from your present position. It is hard for management to promote someone who doesn’t look like they could handle the promotion or to invite you out on a client lunch or meeting if you don’t look the part.

10 tips for a stylish work wardrobe

10 tips to keep in mind when planning your 9-to-5 look:

1. Dress for the job you want, not the job you have. You might be an intern or an assistant, but if your boss is wearing suits every day to work, following her lead will help you to be taken seriously.

2. Don't wear anything too revealing. Too much cleavage, a slice of midriff, or a skirt up to "there" is not only distracting, but unprofessional.

3. Underpinnings should stay hidden. Keep your thong and bra straps under wraps. Choose nude undergarments and use double stick tape if necessary to keep your straps in place or to keep shirt buttons from gaping.

4. Watch those hemlines. The general rule for work is never go shorter than 2 inches above the knee.

5. Sexy is for evenings and weekends. Anything too tight or sexy should be saved for after-hours. If your dress has a plunging back or your top is too strappy, throw a jacket or cardigan over it for the office.

6. Save your flip flops for the beach and your sneakers for the gym. These too-casual shoes don't belong at the office. Look to your coworkers before deciding whether strappy sandals are acceptable.

7. Wear one stylish piece every day. It's great if your wardrobe consists of mostly classic trends, but be sure to add at least one updated piece to every look. A chic new accessory or a bold printed top will take the boredom out of even the most basic suit.

8. Stand out, but not too much. Experimenting with over-the-top clothing, accessories, or makeup will get you noticed, but not for the right reasons.

9. Be prepared. Stash some quick-change pieces at work and you'll be ready for any sartorial situation. A pair of flats for days when your heels start hurting, a jacket or cardigan for sub-zero air conditioning, a little clutch for spur-of-the-moment after work drinks, etc.

10. Choose the right fabrics. For warm weather, cotton, jersey and tropical-weight wool are your best options. Linen can leave you looking like a wrinkled mess and silk will show sweat marks.

What NOT to wear to work

The weather may be great, but what you throw on in the morning to enjoy the sunshine may not be appropriate for the office. Lucky magazine's Allyson Waterman shared tips on how to convert breezy, summer fashions into work-appropriate ensembles.

Problem: Cleavage

Solution: Wear layers. Put the vest over a blouse. Don't worry about layers; you won't look too bulky.

Problem: Shows skin
Solution: Sharp sweater. Add a summer sweater with a summer dress, and buckle on a wide belt -- one of the best accessories this year. You can still be cute and covered up, but don't wear ratty sweat shirts. Be prepared to go to a meeting with your boss.

Problem: Short shorts
Solution: Knee-length shorts. A longer short should be to the knee or at the knee. If you can see the kneecap, it's OK. If your shorts are above that area, they're too high. Don't wear this look with sandals or flip-flops; go for a jacket, instead.

Problem: Too sheer
Solution: Tuck in a peasant top and pair with a short coat. Short-sleeve jackets are hot, especially ones that stop at the waist. Also, you should always wear a nude camisole underneath a sheer, white top.

Problem: Too tight
Solution: White suit. If you want to wear white, go for a suit. White, like black, can be tricky -- you can't mix and match fabrics.