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 Sleeveless Shirts with a Suit Question: In one of your topics you explain that sleeveless is inappropriate in an professional work environment even if I am in a very warm climate. I am beginning a new job where my employer would like me to wear professional attire. This is a new frontier for me as I have always worked in casual or business casual environments. I recently made my way to Casual Corner and practically bought out the store's sale rack. I purchased a navy suit, pumice suite, off white jacket and a gray jacket, along with about six tops, four of which are sleeveless shells. The shells are very professional looking and coordinate with the suites. Are they still inappropriate?Also, can you please tell me the best hose color to wear with the navy and pumice (taupe) suits? Shannon Answer: Sleeveless tops worn under suit jackets are indeed appropriate for a work environment. It sounds as if you have made some excellent purchases for your business wardrobe. Regarding hosiery for the taupe/pumice suit, a shade that is very close to the color of the suit is best. Yes, that will be a light color, but that is okay, even if you wear black or dark shoes. When attempting to match a taupe color, check its undertone. Taupe color formulas vary widely, usually leaning toward a specific tone of gray, pink, green, or brown. Note the “undertone” of the garment to simplify your search for matching taupe legwear. Pumice generally has more of a gray undertone, so look for taupe colors that lean toward the gray side. Colors such as graphite or mineral could work, as would smoke or gray, as long as they have some brown shading, not leaning toward blue gray or silver tones. For questionable colors, it’s always best to have the actual garment present to get the optimum shade of hosiery. In this case, your hosiery doesn’t have to exactly match the suit, but it should blend. If you are wearing dark shoes with the suit (versus taupe shoes), opt for a somewhat darker taupe shade that blends with the suit rather than a lighter one. It’s a far easier decision with the navy suit. But first, are you wearing navy shoes or black shoes? If you are wearing navy shoes, stick with navy or skin-tone hosiery. However, I recommend that you wear black shoes with the navy suit. It is completely acceptable (and actually preferred in the fashion world) to wear black shoes with navy clothing. With that, you have several hosiery color options; you can wear black, off black, or skin-tone colors with your navy suit. Congratulations on your new job. Keep “powering up” your image. Best of luck to you, Sherry Maysonave Also see: Advice for dressing when overweight How much makeup should I wear at work? Ask your image questions Personal Power: A case study from 'Casual Power'