Work Attire

Congratulations! You're on track to nab the job of your dreams, and while you're confident that your work experience and references speak for themselves, you're a little shaky on whether your first-day outfit makes the right statement. Don't cower before your closet; just follow our tips for nailing the office dress code.

Take Copious Interview Notes

Even before you walk through the door on your first day, think back to your interview. Hopefully you took note of what your interviewers were wearing! Were jeans prevalent, or did you see a predominant mix of khakis and pencil skirts? Focus particularly on your new team members, since your clothing should more or less reflect your team's vibe, but it doesn't hurt to pay attention to other people you met with, like HR contacts, or even the general dress code around the office.

Follow the Leader

Pay close attention to what your manager (and her manager) wears. Your wardrobe should reflect your team and department but also state your desire to advance and eventually lead. While you don't have to copy your hirer's power pantsuit motif verbatim, your choice in attire should be aspirational and point you toward the next level. And on casual Fridays, it helps to keep it classy until you see for yourself whether she's laid back in ripped cutoffs or snappy in pressed bermudas. For more tips, just keep reading.

An anonymous community member recently posted on our Savvy Confessions group asking for ideas on how to look good at work without overspending. Reader EvieJ chimed in with her thoughts:

You need to get a capsule wardrobe . . .

First thing to do is pick a couple of neutral shades (black and grey, navy and khaki, black and khaki or similar). Then pick a couple of accent colors.

Get yourself 2 pairs of pants (same style) and a couple of skirts (different styles) in your neutrals, and a jacket in one of your neutral colors. (Here's where the black suit is a godsend.) Get yourself a dress either in a solid neutral, or a patterned accent color (or a neutral mixed with one of your accent colors - but a wrap dress is universally flattering). Buy 2 shirts, one in each of your accent colors, plus one really good white shirt. One neutral cardigan, one accent cardigan.

That's 11 items of clothing right there.

Get yourself a pair of heels or 2 in black or navy, depending upon which one you've chosen as a neutral. Flats can be good, but heels just look more polished, to me (my opinion only!).

Now, get out a camera and starting mixing up what you have.

Play with accessories you already have, and you'll be amazed at all the different looks you can pull together.

When you start getting paychecks you can start buying more clothes, but always try to stay with the colors you've chosen so you don't have random things that don't go with anything else.

As for where to shop: consignment shops, Target (great for black trousers), Kohls, Zara (if there's one near you), Mango (again, if there's on near you). You can also try places like eBay, the RealReal, and similar online.

Share your own career- and finance-related questions anonymously in the Savvy Confessions group for a chance to be featured on SavvySugar and be advised by fellow Savvy readers.

Editor’s note: The following is a guest post written by Rachel Zoe, stylist, fashion designer, and creator of The Zoe Report. This week Rachel advises on work wardrobe dos and dont's.

Thankfully, the rules of business dressing are not how they used to be. While I do love a classic secretary suave look — à la Banana Republic's Mad Men-inspired silhouettes — I think the modern day woman is fortunate to have a little bit more flexibility with her wardrobe. The level of freedom depends, of course, on the type of work environment you're in.

For instance, if you are someone in a corporate setting, you should aim to build your wardrobe all around a great suit! Find one that fits perfectly (or have it tailored) in black, gray, or another neutral, then wear it a million different ways. The idea is that when you invest in a full suit, you can break it up and incorporate each piece — a jacket, vest, pants, pencil skirt, etc. — with what you already have in your closet. Try something as simple as wearing your suit jacket over a white blouse and pair of jeans, then punch it up with an accessory or two.

To read the rest of Rachel's work style tips and her favorite career pieces, read more

We can all learn something from this one. Meet Jamie. Jamie needs to find stylish pieces for her new job as a teacher. Style expert Louise helps her find two great, on-trend looks for her job that are both chic and professional. Check it out!