We women aren’t dumb — or most of us aren’t. We want to get ahead - and more often than not it is a combination of timing, luck, brains, and LOOKING AS GOOD AS YOU CAN. This means office attire — what you see the bosses wearing — or close to it. When you feel good about yourself, you stand straighter, feel more confident, and, with a little bit of luck thrown in, you have a better chance of being noticed. Take time to look work-appropriate — and you won’t wonder why everyone is looking every way but at you.

Simple, nothing to tight to short or to revealing. However, a lot of people have trouble with these three simple things. Oh yeah, I forgot, closed toed closed heel shoes are a must.

I could fill a page on this one. YES! Skirts so short, one can see Old Glory when you bend over. Cleavage, unless, of course, you are a waitress in a dive. Sweaters that show “pop through” and are very tight. Pants that are so low, that only the pelvis bones are holding them up. Which, brings up the damned ring in the belly button. And, pants so tight that the thong shows through. Fabrics, such as chiffon and sequins, suitable at night or at cocktail parties. On the other hand: Baggy jeans. Shirts that are unpressed and worn more than once. Tshirts, bad enough, but writing on them? No! Flip flops, indeed sandals that expose dirty toenails and calluses. Yuk! Tennis shoes. Huge amounts of clinking, heavy jewelry. And, extremely expensive jewelry. And, while you don’t wear chewing gum, for god’s sake leave it in the car or at the house! We don’t want to see and hear you chewing all day. ‘nuf said…

Those pants that stop just below the knee—when I was a kid they used to call them clam-diggers or knee-knockers—now they are called capris. They have no place in the office.