For those of you who do not know whoTim Gunn is, he is the gentle voice of encouragement and instruction on ''Project Runway" on the Bravo network and was recently given his own show 'Tim Gunn's Guide to Style', where he instructs fashion challenged women on how to dress for their shape and lifestyle while the whole time battling what he calls "the slobification of America."

Tim's philosophy seems to be that what you wear reflects who you are and how you want people to view you, therefore you should dress appropriately and well if you want to present yourself as a respected and successful professional. Though I am no fashion expert and am sure that my style of dress is not always spot on, I do see the value of dressing appropriately and therefore put a lot of effort into building a wardrobe applicable to my field.

I spend a lot of time visiting real estate offices in my area and have noticed that the most successful agents are those who are always dressed well and take their attire seriously.  However, I have also been shocked by what others find acceptable.  Here are a few things you may have seen as well:

1. Track pants and gym shoes.  Now, I know there are days when you are in the office solely to get paperwork done and you have no intention of connecting with the public, or you just feel under the weather and comfort outweighs style, but you never know when your next client is going to walk in the door.  According to Tim, everyone should own what he calls a 'track suit alternative'.  By that he means an outfit you can fall back on that you know works and is comfortable even when you are not feeling your best or need to dress in a hurry.  During the summer, I will where a matte jersey dress and nice sandals and during the fall and winter it is boots, a skirt and a sweater.  I actually keep a few of these outfits on hand in case I have to run out at the last minute.  It also makes it easier to shop, believe it or not.

  http://www.designelevations.com/   http://www.anntaylorloft.com/

2. Open weave sweaters or sheer tops with no tank top or cami underneath.  I think we can all agree that displaying your undergarments to the world is inappropriate, no matter how hot it is outside or how hot you are. Cotton breathes and is not see through.  There is also a way to wear this look without appearing trampy.

  http://www.oldnavy.com/    http://www.anntaylorloft.com/

3. Jeans and t-shirts.  So what if it is casual Friday.  Casual at the office is (and should be) different.  As a matter of fact, jeans aren't even out of the question.  It is how you wear them that makes all of the difference.  According to Tim, a darker wash and longer leg makes a jean dressier, especially if worn with heels.  A t-shirt can even be worn if it is of finer fabric and is accessorised appropriately.  Save the graphic tees for the weekend and your favorite well worn jeans for the comfort of your own home.

 http://www.anntaylorloft.com/  http://www.macys.com/

4. Flip Flops and Crocs.  Flip Flops not only look unprofessional, they sound unprofessional.  They don't call them flip flops for nothing. Crocs look messy.  Sometimes you just want to slip your feet into something quickly and run out the door - both of these styles of shoe are easy, but never appropriate for business situations. There are many other stylish alternatives that are just as easy to wear and you will feel better wearing them.  So as not to ruin a good pair of shoes in the mud, consider investing in a cute pair of wellies.  I love ballet flats as they look great with dress pants and skirts and are really comfortable to wear on a busy day. 

  http://www.kohls.com/    http://www.payless.com/

5.  Short skirts and high heels.  You may have a great set of gams, but you really don't want that to be the focus of attention.  As with the revealing choice discussed above, body parts are not what you want to use to get everyone to notice you - it is your quality of work and professionalism.  This style of dress can prevent others from taking you seriously.  According to Tim, every woman should own a quality pair of classic pumps in black or brown and wearing them with the knee length or longer skirt or dresses and dress pants is the way to go.  Short skirts are off limits.

 http://www.bananarepublic.com/   www.anntaylorloft.com

A stiff, colorless business suit is not your only option for looking professional.  Women have many more stylish options than men when it comes to looking their best and knowing what is appropriate and what suits you is key to putting your best foot forward.  Investing in a good wardrobe can be one of the smartest business decisions you ever make.

Lastly, Tim says the most important thing a woman can have in her closet is a full length mirror.  Check your overall appearance before walking out the door and ask yourself what you would think if you saw someone else in your outfit. 

For the love of Tim Gunn....Dress like the professional you are!!