I am not sure exactly what it was that gave me the impression that the six-employee office would be a slight bit on the unprofessional side. Perhaps it was the fact that I stood in the front of the office for ten minutes before a receptionist scurried out of the toilet to greet me. Or maybe it was seeing one of the employees unabashedly reading celebrity blogs at his work station while (loudly) recapping on the phone with a friend. But most likely it had something to do with the twenty-two year old interviewer, adorned with a spaghetti strap tank top, shorts, and flip flops, and exhibiting a penchant for compulsively chewing on gum.

"Um, yeah, so you are, like, finishing up your junior year at UNH. Cool. I went there," she sputtered out, still managing to chew with out missing a beat. Without looking up from some fascinating spot on the wall behind me she continued, "Why do you think you want to intern here?"

Hmmm...gonna have to think about that one. Because I can just pop over to the beach for a quick swim during lunch, since apparently I can come to work in beach attire--wouldn't have to waste time changing. Is that valid--can I saw that?

Long story short (no-it's a short story), my desire to start a finance career there fizzled faster than one of Paris Hilton's relationships. But it did provide a valuable lesson about how easy it is to take the "casual workplace" concept to the extreme.

How we dress in every situation is part of the first impression others have of us. Even for the fashion-haters of the world, the reality is style counts. How we dress in every situation sends a message about us. It is part of our image, and as something that is entirely personal, is a critical component to creating the impression you want. Being female, the clothes we wear are noticed, evaluated, and judged more than men. As Coco Chanel once said, "Dress shabbily and they remember the dress; dress impeccably and they remember the woman."

But in a world that is increasingly embracing the casual trend, especially in the workplace, how the standards for "dressing to impress" within the cubicle environment becomes a bit more complex than the hallmark suit-and-tie look that dominated the office world of the Boomers generation.

Perils of Casual Day Everyday
While I am 100% for a casual work environment, it is a tricky dress code to operate. Go too casual and you look immature, unprepared--hardly someone who inspires confidence recommending investing strategies or new IT implementations. Dress up in professional attire that's more formal than colleagues and supervisors, and risk sending the message that you aren't really a "team player" and can't adapt your style. While many office wardrobe advisers advocate the "dress for the job you want" and "dress for success" approach, there is a balance between maintaining your professional presence while also rockin' jeans and flat shoes sans hosiery.

So the key for women is in finding the balance between personality and professionalism, without resorting to the "blahs" of "neutral" colors and twinsets. Think "sophisticated and stylish" as you craft a strategy to combine your flair for personal style with casual but classic pieces.

Tunics with skinny jeans, good quality ballet flats or heels, classic accessories like scarves, necklaces, and handbags, are all good bets in promoting a professional you while also keepin' with the casual office vibe.

We do not have to sacrifice style and comfort to excel in the workplace--I repeat, do not buy the crap that to be taken seriously you have to dress in suits, neutral colors, and shun the comfort of jeans in the workplace. Office life is being revolutionised. Creativity, ambition, personality, and accomplishment are what drives professional development. Prescribing to the status quo--both personally and professionally--won't do you any favours in jumping ahead. So the old adage "dress for the job you want" isn't applicable the way it used to be. In fact, it shows a sense of unoriginality, too much of a desire to fit into the mold. And who wants that anyway?