These days, it seems like anything goes! Sometimes, it’s hard not to envy those bank workers or travel agents who are forced to wear uniforms to work – at least they don’t have to face the same daily wardrobe planning crisis that gives the rest of us grey hair and premature wrinkles!

You cannot escape the fact that people judge us by the way we dress. In all situations, but particularly in the business environment, our outward appearance sends a message. It’s therefore important to understand how to dress for business if you wish to promote yourself and your organization in a positive manner. This doesn’t mean that we women all have to dress in the clichéd little black business suit – after all, we don’t want to look like the corporate version of Stepford Wives!

Dressing for business is an easy task if you remember that it depends on 4 factors: your company’s dress code (which is usually linked to the industry in which you work); your position within the company; the geographic area in which you live; and what your clients expect to see when you visit them.

The main influencing factor is number 1 – your company’s dress code. But let’s deal with the other 3 factors first.

• Your position within the company: are you a frontline representative of the company or a back-room employee? The general rule is that the more senior the position, the more professional the look.

• The geographic area in which you live (and work): Some regions, like the Western Cape, are more relaxed when it comes to professional business attire. Generally, Cape-based employers are happy to occasionally relax the “little black business suit” rule for professional women and coordinating separates are perfectly acceptable. Whereas in Gauteng, the general expectation appears to be business suits and pantyhose.

• What your clients expect to see:  when visiting a client, a good guideline is to ascertain the dress code of your customer’s company and match it in your attire. And if your client comes to you, then follow your own company’s dress code which leads me to the following……

If your company implements a FORMAL DRESS CODE:

• Invest in a suit; jacket with matching pants/skirt; or a dress paired with appropriate accessories

• Dark colours work best as they can easily be mixed and matched.

• Dress and skirt length should be at a length at which you can sit comfortably in public – no miniskirts or thigh-revealing splits!

• Pants should break at the top at of the foot or shoe – so no Capri pants or shorts!

• Invest in a good selection of shirts, blouses, sweaters and tops –and use them to add colour and variety and to contribute to the overall appearance of professional dress.

• Steer clear of cleavage plunging necklines, midriff tops and anything that bears a logo, slogan, picture or cartoon.

• Sadly, in the formal environment, pantyhose is a must – sorry girls!

• Shoes do not need to be low-heeled but if you’re going to opt for high heels, not too high and make sure you can walk in them. Sling-backs are fine but sandals are a no-no.

• Accessories and jewellery: the key word is “tasteful”. Remember the old adage that less is more. But generally speaking, bags, scarves, belts and jewellery are encouraged as they add a bit of glamour to what can otherwise be boring business attire.

If your company implements a PROFESSIONAL CASUAL DRESS CODE:

• This does not mean that you can come to work in shorts and slops! Clothing that works well for the beach, the gym, night clubs and working in the garden is not appropriate for a professional, casual appearance at work.

• Coordinating separates are the best solution. Pretty skirts with matching tops; pants with tailored shirts or well-made blouses; looser structured jackets with coordinating skirts/pants; fitted jackets with flared skirts and matching tops.

• When dressing in layers, make sure they are coordinated and be subtle in your use of pattern and colour;

• Have fewer bottoms and more tops so that you can mix and match.

• Again, skirts should not be too short or too revealing.

• Pants should be full-length but you can get away with softer fabrics such as linen. If you are allowed to wear jeans, make sure they are in a darker colour.

• Bare legs are acceptable in summer – provided the legs are smooth and tanned. In winter, switch to panty-hose or coloured tights. No leggings!

• Pretty sandals can be worn in summer but no flip-flops. In winter, comfortable walking shoes are fine, as are boots and flats.

Whatever the dress code, it pays to remember that business attire is different from weekend and evening wear. Investing in a good business wardrobe is an investment in your professional future.

For those who think that it’s not what you wear but who you are that matters, think again – business skills and experience count but so do personal appearance and that all-important first impression.