"Everyone is expected to dress professionally every day. Even if someone is not meeting clients that day, someone else's top client might be in the office next door.

"Financial services remain traditional to the core, despite a push toward casual dress in other types of work. Even in firms that have relaxed their dress codes, I believe you have to always dress one step above the client. To do so requires some common sense. For example in California, most women no longer wear hose. That could be offensive to an older client, so nylons should be worn for those meetings. But following the no-hose trend might be perfectly appropriate for a meeting with a younger client.

"Use your appearance to send a message of confidence and credibility. Moreover, acceptable attire in the financial services industry is very different from what is considered appropriate in an environment like information technology, for example. Below is a chart listing clothing that's appropriate for traditional and business casual environments. Before getting into particulars though, here is some general advice about dressing for success in the financial services industry:

• Dressing is more about looking professional than being fashionable. Men, lose the trendy eyeglasses. Women, forget about stiletto heels.
• Comfort is fundamental. It means feeling good about what you're wearing so you can do your best. For women who are in and out of the car all day, buy fabric that's wrinkle-free."

DRESS GUIDELINES: "Traditional"   A must on the East Coast and in the Midwest, as well as in cities known for more traditional business dress in other parts of the country such as San Francisco, Atlanta, Dallas and Tallahassee. City dwellers often dress conservatively even in regions of the country known for being casual. Oklahoma is big on suits for business, but change your clothes for dinner because you might be going in a pickup truck! Men > Wool suits in medium to dark colors, solid or pinstriped, with 2- or 3-button jacket. Linen suits are appropriate for warm weather. (Note: A men's suit consists of a jacket with trousers of the same material. Do not try a do-it-yourself approach by wearing a navy blazer with navy pants. It just doesn't work.) Long-sleeved white or blue dress shirt. Conservative silk tie that coordinates with suit. Black or cordovan dress shoes that coordinate with belt; dark mid-calf socks that coordinate with suit. Cowboy boots only in certain regions of the country. Women > High-quality suit with a skirt or pants in blue, black, gray or brown. Also appropriate is a two-piece business dress with jacket. Skirts should be no shorter than the knee. A small back, center slit in a knee-length skirt is acceptable, but high slits are not. Pants should break at top of shoe. Tailored silk or cotton blouse or a fine-gauge knit sweater in a conservative print or color that coordinates with suit. Avoid sleeveless tops in case jacket is removed. Showing cleavage is unprofessional. Dark, leather pumps. Neutral-colored hosiery with a skirt or lightweight, matching socks with a pantsuit. (Keep an extra pair of hosiery in your office and in your car.) Sandals are never appropriate.