What does it takes these days to “dress for success?” It used to be pretty simple: Ties for guys and business-style dresses and pantsuits for ladies.

But like so many other aspects of our society, the rules have changed.

Fortunately, some experts have stepped forward to offer advice on the proper way to stay in style in the casual workplace. If you’re looking to vault to the next level, following these guidelines could help.

It’s not the time to stand out. Steer clear of “unique” styles and stick with the basics. Be sure your shoes are polished. Take a step back and look at your wardrobe: What does it say about you? What about the way you wear your hair? These are all areas where it’s relatively simple to upgrade your appearance a notch or two.

Aim for one step up. Put a wet finger to the wind and get a feel for the prevailing fashion — then dress “one step up” from that. If they’re wearing jeans and polo shirts, wear khakis and open-necked dress shirts. But don’t take it a step too far: Someone wearing a three-piece suit is going to stick (and not in a good way) if the rest of the workplace is business casual.

Don’t confuse business casual with weekend wear. Even if it’s 100 degrees outside and you’ve got a body to flaunt, don’t show up to work in a top that shows off your pierced belly button and Daisy Duke shorts. It should be more like the boardroom and less like the beach, experts advice. Men shouldn’t show up Monday morning in the saggy cargo shorts they wore over the weekend, either. Fashion hint: Even if jeans are acceptable at certain times in the workplace, do yourself a favor and get them pressed once a month or so at the dry cleaners. They’ll retain a crisper edge — and so will you.

Tags: "dress for success", CFO, procurement, purchasing