Ask the Image Expert Sherry Maysonave is the founder and president of Empowerment Enterprises, one of America's leading communication-image firms. Sherry conducts corporate seminars and coaches executives, professionals, and politicians in achieving excellence in communication and image. She is also the author of Casual Power: How to Power Up your Nonverbal Communication and Dress Down for Success Wardrobe Basics Question: I am trying to put together a wardrobe. I need to know the basics that I would need. I am a stay-at-home mom, a graduate student who will be starting internships in the fall where I will need to dress nice, but not in big suits or anything. Can you give me any tips, as I am going shopping soon. Melissa Answer: Start with your basic coloring (skin tone, hair, and eyes), and determine your best power-neutral color. The most businesslike power neutral colors are black and navy. Tan, brown, and olive green can also work well. To start, choose one neutral color to build your working wardrobe around. You can add other bright or pastel colors, depending upon your taste, but this one color acts as your core. With this, you can have one business bag (black or brown) that coordinates with your chosen neutral. Build a simple shoe wardrobe around this color as well, before you start branching out to other shoe colors. I encourage you to read my book, Casual Power, as it has a complete section on how to build a "capsule" business wardrobe with those magical key garments that stretch your clothing dollars. It also has a chapter devoted to women on how to power up without looking like a man. In addition, it lists color-combining tips that are slenderizing and empowering. Speaking of empowerment, let's rethink your statement about suits. Suits are back in vogue in many business environments. Every career woman today should have at least one tailored suit (or suit ensemble) in her closet. You will need an outfit for interviewing, right? What's better than a suit look? It's worth spending the time and dollars to wow your internship superiors with your high level of professionalism. Those positions often turn into job offers upon graduation. The ideal starter wardrobe includes these key items: One Expanded Suit (solid color)—one jacket, skirt, and pants, all in matching fabric, in your best power-neutral color. Make sure that all of the expanded suit pieces fit you well, as primarily you will be wearing them as separates, not just as a suit. At the minimum, purchase one tailored, solid-color jacket, longer cut, in your best power-neutral color. Remember, a jacket always adds a touch of power to a woman's business image. If the jacket is the blazer style or cut even a little longer, it can even be worn with jeans. Two Sweater Sets—one in the same color as the expanded suit. The second one should be in a contrasting, yet complementary color to the suit. (e.g., if the suit is black, get one sweater set in black and one in red, pink, blue, taupe, yellow, or any color that coordinates well with black) Two Additional Skirts—in colors or patterns other than the suit skirt. However, select a color that can be worn with the suit jacket (e.g., if the suit jacket is black, a black-and-white houndstooth check or a black-tan-red plaid skirt would look great with the black suit jacket or the sweater set in black). Two Blouses (long-sleeve)—one should coordinate well with the solid-color suit pieces; the second one should coordinate with one of the additional skirts. For example, the first blouse could be a multicolored print or a geometric or artistic design. It can be worn with the suit or it can be worn with the suit skirt or suit pants separately. For yet another look, pair the pant/skirt and blouse ensemble with the solid-color cardigan sweater (from the set), either tied around the shoulders or actually on, like a classic cardigan, buttoned or unbuttoned. The second blouse is ideally a solid color that can go with the neutral suit pieces and one of the additional skirts (e.g., tan or red). One Additional Pair of Pants and a Coordinating Blouse or Knit Top—in colors other than the suit pants, but in a color that ideally coordinates with the suit jacket. For example, if the additional pants and top are shades of gray, purple, camel, brown, or olive green, they would pair nicely with the black suit jacket, in addition to creating a great look by themselves. Now, you can take these pieces and create two weeks' worth of outfits without wearing the same outfit twice in that time frame. You may wear the same garment, but it will not look the same because you are wearing different coordinates. If you like white blouses, a stylish white blouse is a great wardrobe addition and will change the look of any of these existing outfits. With this plan, you have a dark suit when you need it (and you will need it in the future for interviewing or even for funerals) and you get to enjoy wearing the suit pieces as separates. You're prepared. Best of luck to you, Sherry Maysonave Also see: The law firm I work for just adopted business casual dress policy. What should I wear? Should I buy new post-pregnancy clothes? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'