More sexy, less power.

Byline: Audrey Vijaindren

WHAT'S APPROPRIATE?: Whether you're a personal assistant or CEO, dressing for the office can be tricky. Office workers run the risk of looking trashy, vain, sloppy or worse still, like they've squeezed into their teenage child's clothing. Audrey Vijaindren speaks to experts who believe that sometimes a book is indeed judged by its cover WE'RE often told that looks don't matter, but that isn't true in an office environment. While trying to put your best foot forward, wearing the right shoe can make or break your career.

Wendy Lee, professional image consultant, director of Chapter One Asia and president of the Malaysian Association of Brand and Image Consultants (MABIC) says the question of what to wear to work is usually a dilemma among women especially.

"Women often complain of being totally confused about what is expected of them in terms of dressing.

"One moment they enter the office in a fashionable short skirt and see-through blouse and receive, what seems to be, appreciative remarks from male colleagues.

"However, the next minute they're being told that whatever they're wearing is inappropriate.

"This phenomenon can be easily explained by way of the 'man reaction' versus the 'manager reaction'.

"When a man sees a woman in an alluring garment, his first reaction is to compliment her.

"His second reaction is to realise that the look is inappropriate and may lead to the wrong impression being …