Casual clothing should project a polished mien

At work, be prepared to deal with the unexpected.
STAMFORD ADVOCATE
Give your casual attire a serious once-over.
Do you look like you're dressed to run a weekend errand, meet a friend for coffee or head for the gym?
Then it's time to lift it up a notch or two, especially if you are interacting with the public, according to Casual Power's Sherry Maysonave. Here's how:
UKeep something in your office that will dress you up if you have to make an unexpected meeting, if the boss comes calling or if you're asked to fill in for a superior.
For women, a jacket or cardigan adds instant polish. For men, a dark blazer, tie and shirt. "At the very least, the blazer," says the menswear designer Joseph Abboud. A pair of dressy shoes, parked under your desk, is a good move for both sexes.
USweaters work if you dress them up a bit, says Stacy Holmen, a sales representative for the Worth Collection's "W" line. "If you're wearing a low-cut V-neck, put a nice T-shirt underneath or add a scarf and necklace," she said. Such luxury fabrics as cashmere make the sweater look more polished.
U Pay close attention to jewelry and accessories. Oversize hoop earrings are the rage, but too party-like for the workplace, Maysonave said. Keep hoops small, limit ethnic jewelry to creative environments, or add a single, gold piece to a more classic jewelry wardrobe.
"You can make a statement that you are bold and interesting with your jewelry," Maysonave said. "It's OK to be stylish. You just don't want to be over the top."
UWhen in doubt, dress up, not down. It may seem like common sense, but you'd be surprised how many people don't comprehend that basic, Abboud said.
Abboud himself even blew it once, showing up in a dandy white suit to an event sponsored by a high-profile business magazine. Everyone else was sporting dark pinstripes.
Abboud was mortified. "You can always make an outfit look more casual," he says. "But if you show up in a T-shirt and jeans and it's a fashion disaster? Well, there's no way to dress yourself out of that problem."