"You should dress as well as your superiors and better than your peers if you want to stand out," says Kathi Burns, an image consultant and the author of "18 Essential Elements for Women" and "The Effortless Guide to Men's Style."
Burns recommends these essentials:
For her:
Suit: Sheath dress suit. Jones New York or Elie Tahari $250
Bag: Kenneth Cole $150
Shoes: Black or dark brown pumps. Kenneth Cole or Steve Madden $200
Slacks suit: Jones, Tahari $250
Blouses: Off-white/white and red. Jones New York, $50 to $60
For him:
Suit: Joseph Abboud or Hugo Boss $500 (look for sales)
Shoes with leather soles and hand stitching: Donald Pliner or Cole Haan $200 to $300
Sports coat: Kenneth Cole, $200 to $300
If you have an extra $10,000, options abound for you to boost the value of your home, give to charity or take off on a cheap European vacation.
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