We spend a large majority of our time at the office so the look we exude has to have a positive impact on our networking abilities. Statistics show that up to 75% of communication is through non-verbal means which means that eyes are clearly focused upon us and opinions are instantaneously formed upon our physical appearance.

Over 50% of employers know upon first glance whether or not they would like you to be a part of their company. You want to create a permanent image of leadership, professionalism and strength so as you stand out and do not blend into the paperwork.

When an employer is looking for a staff member, he is looking for someone with whom he can invest time and money. He will pay you a salary every month and expect to see impressive results. These days, competition is fierce so you need to constantly be aware of any ways that you can secure your present post or climb the corporate ladder. Never miss an opportunity to shine by dressing with professionalism and confidence.

Every item of clothing that you add to your frame is a direct expression of your personality, right down to your socks or shade of tights. Take a look at your wardrobe and imagine someone else wearing your outfit. What is your look saying? Do you see success looking back at you or do you see a fairly ordinary girl who has nothing of any real importance to say? To dress for success in the workplace, you have to live as though you already have your ideal status; this removes any self-doubt about you reaching for the top and gives you confidence and inner self-esteem.

So with this positive attitude in mind and make it an aim from tomorrow onwards to dress for success. Go to your wardrobe and pick out those outfits which ooze professionalism. If you are having trouble finding anything, browse through some online stores and pick out those which scream "executive". There is no need to go wild with the credit card as dressing for the part is not about spending outside of your budget; it is about creating a look of smart, understated elegance even if it is on a shoestring. If you have to splash out on something expensive but it is likely to land you that opportunity of a lifetime, don't ruin your one chance to impress by feeling guilty at the cost. Investing in your look is never frivolous and could pave the way for a successful future.

If you want to buy a good quality suit at a fraction of the cost, wait for a seasonal sale, you may not have as much choice in the range of styles available but you can be a lot choosier with accessories to create your own individual professional image.

Colour your world
Loud colours are a definite 'no'. Opt for darker shades but bring them to life with accessories in soft pinks, turquoises or orange-reds. It is easy to associate a look of power with navy, black and white hues but in today's modern world, deeper shades of green and purple also have a positive impact. Darker shades also tend to raise the energy level of people around you. Deep purple creates an illusion of calming and relaxes the mind and nerves; it is also uplifting and encourages creativity. Deeper shades of green help alleviate anxiety and nervousness, it also offers a feeling of self control and is mentally relaxing. Petrol blue and bronze colours can look really expensive and give that perfect balance between comfort, style and professionalism. Even top barristers have been known to swap their black and grey suits for a dark green or dark blue alternative. So don't be afraid to add a bit of colour to your working day, those who just stick to plain old blacks and white could be considered unadventurous and boring.

Dress it up
Offices today are a lot more acceptable of stylish clothing and the days are gone of stuffy tailored suits and white shirts. Remember, the look you are aiming for is trendy but powerful so plain outfits can be balanced with classy boleros and scarves. This exudes prominence in a way that people can relate and aspire to but also allows some of your personality to shine through.

A well tailored dress is so versatile you could literally wear it all day at the office and just add some jewellery for an evening out. Keep necklines subtle and hemlines to just above the knee or slightly over. Whenever you try on a dress make sure that you can sit down in it comfortably and confidentially, ensure that the hemline does not rise too much in a sitting position as you need to keep your mind on business and not on the way that your clothing is restricting your breathing.

Top off your look with a pair of medium heeled shoes which make shorter legs appear longer and are comfortable all day. They also complement trousers perfectly. Emphasise your classy footwear with ultra-sheer tights in summer and ultra-opaque in winter for an air of sophistication. A watch also says a lot about a person so choose wisely and avoid bright colours and diamond studded bling. Earrings can be long and dainty or opt for subtle coloured butterfly clips. Whatever you do, keep it modest, too much jewellery can look as though you are trying too hard. V-neck tops can be set off with a simple necklace. A bag and brooch also helps to bring a look together.

Hair to impress
Big hair has been left behind with the eighties; today the look is classy chic with hair pulled back and some soft strands gently framing the face. Make-up should be natural and light to enhance your natural features. Save the lip gloss and jazzy eye colour for the dance floor and fake orange tan will look good for that weekend in Blackpool. A light dusting of blusher gives a healthy glow; mascara emphasises and outlines the shape of the eyes and a lip colour as close to your own natural lip shade is all that is needed. Heavy make-up can create a look of insecurity so this is something you definitely want to avoid.

Ensure that your clothing fits comfortably and complements your skin tone. When you dress for success keep this rule in mind; not too short, not too long and definitely not too complicated. Keep it sharp and simple with bra straps hidden and not too much cleavage to create an all empowering look that allows you to be a woman but still be taken seriously.

Your image is your passport to the world, it tells people in an instant who you are and how you perceive and feel about yourself. So now you are dressed for success and exude a powerful image. When you look and feel this good you just can't help but emanate this feeling onto others. Self-confidence gives you the power to be able to communicate with people effectively and the self-belief that you can perform at a high level. When you dress in the morning, you are not dressing for work, you are dressing for success.