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 An Executive Image Question: I work in an environment that is casual. The executives do not dress casual. To move upward in this environment should I dress like the executive? B.C. Answer: Yes, if you aspire to have an executive level job in this company, dress the part. Edith Head, a multiple Oscar winner for her expertise in wardrobing, claimed that you can have whatever you want, if you dress the part. Since your work environment is casual (except for the executive level), you may not want to wear suits (especially skirted suits) everyday. I suggest that ¾ at this point in time ¾ you adopt a dressy casual and general business image. This look turns heads in today's ultra casual business arena. If you are confused about what I mean by dressy casual attire, please read my book, Casual Power, as it discusses, defines, and illustrates the six categories of casual. In brief, dressy casual incorporates the dressier fabrics of wool, silk, linen, and top quality microfibers. Take this concept and apply it to a business look. Business casual draws from the more tailored garments of the smart and dressy casual categories. For example, you could wear a long leather skirt with a sleeveless turtleneck top and look quite smart and even dressy. But you would not be dressed in business casual attire. To create a business look with that outfit concept, you would wear a long wool skirt, silk, or leather skirt (only if the leather were high quality), a blouse (top or sweater) topped off with a tailored jacket. If you are not removing your jacket, then you can wear the sleeveless top underneath. If you plan to take your jacket off, you MUST wear a long sleeve blouse or top to command respect. The example of the leather skirt brings up the point of risky fabrics. Leather is such a fabric. Notice that I used the example of a long leather skirt of exceptional quality, not a short leather skirt which sends a "let's-go-tango" message. If your workplace is conservative by industry, save leather garments for your social time. Tailored jackets are key to an executive level look. The jacket should fit you well and be in good condition. A cheap quality jacket or one covered with pet hair (or snags) does not easily climb the success ladder. On important meeting days, wear pants suits or even a skirted suit of the Power Business category. General business attire includes dressy outfits comprised of separates and true pant suits. All business looks include closed-toe closed-heel shoes worn with hosiery or socks. Bear in mind, that when you dress in this manner and your cohorts are quite casually attired, you may receive some teasing. Try to let any remarks about your dressed-up image just roll right over you. Actually, those types of remarks make more of a statement about the person saying them than about you! I discuss the dynamics of the personal saboteur in Casual Power. As I say there, you are simply hearing the voice of another person's saboteur if you are teased about looking businesslike. Be consistent with your professional image. Consistency is a prime factor in getting promoted. Also, it leaves little room for questions such as, "Where are you going?" or "Are you going to an interview today?" To go to the top, always dress for your goals. 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'