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We often tend to think of certain colors together: red with blue, ivory with brown. But there's no reason to limit yourself to these options. While you may not want to wear a hot pink and lemon yellow outfit to work (unless you're in the arts and entertainment industry), you can certainly branch out a little from the predictible basics -- once you have the job, not for your interviews.

They say that you never have a second chance to make a first impression, and that is definitely true when it comes to job interviews. If you send the wrong messages initially, you may never even have a second chance! Dressing appropriately shows respect for the company and the interviewer, and gives you enhanced credibility as a qualified candidate.

Perhaps the most frustrating part of a business casual environment is that there's no single definition for it. There are numerous variables, including the type of company or industry, geographic region, size of city, and even your job title or department. While I wish I could wave a magic wand to show you what business casual is, it might actually be easier to share what it isn't.

A suit is the building block of your professional wardrobe, so be sure you make the right choice!

One of the most obvious ways to show you're ready to work, not play, is by wearing a suit. And while suits no longer have to be the stereotypical pinstripe "banker" look, they do need to have some structure and a few basic elements in order to be considered for a serious candidate who is climbing the corporate ladder. Unfortunately if you've never bought a suit, you may not have any idea what to look for, so here are some tips.

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Ever since the casual dress revolution hit the corporate world, there has been confusion about what casual really is and what's appropriate. Here's a video that breaks it down for you and outlines the various levels of dress in the workplace.

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With many companies now allowing casual dress much of the time (if not every day), it seems there are many ways to make mistakes with your wardrobe choices. Here are some of the major no-no's that could get you sent home to change!

When you're building a professional wardrobe, it's a good idea to start with some basic pieces. Keep in mind there may be variations depending on your job or corporate dress code, but these items are the basic building blocks. It's even more important for women to be aware of the message they may be sending with their clothing and accessories -- keep the more wild and frivolous pieces for evenings and weekends, even if you're in a business casual environment.

Whether I'm speaking with corporate professionals or college students looking for their first "real job," I'm often asked what are the essential items to have in a professional's wardrobe. While there are some variations of course (depending on the actual job, the office dress code, etc.), there are some essentials that benefit nearly everyone. Here's a basic wardrobe shopping list for men.

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When you're building a career wardrobe, it may seem like an overwhelming task. But if you focus on some basic pieces that mix and match, you'll find your wardrobe options expand exponentially. Think minimum pieces, maximum options.