Every woman knows she should wear a suit for a job interview. But what about accessories?

Accessories can make or break your outfit. A bad pair of shoes or a junky handbag can really turn off a potential employer. So what should you wear?

Classic black pumps

Keep it simple. No open toes or glitzy embellishments. A basic pair of black leather pumps with a medium heel is ideal. The heels shouldn’t be too high - you aren’t going to a night club. And they shouldn’t be so low that they make your legs look stumpy.

Pearl or diamond stud earrings

Like your shoes, your jewelry should be classic. Don’t wear dangly earrings, instead choose pearl or diamond studs. If you don’t have them, it’s better to skip earrings altogether than wear something inappropriate. You can nix the rest of the jewelry too - no necklaces or bracelets are necessary. Except you should wear a watch.

Gold or stainless steel watch

Sure, we all check the time on our cell phones these days but most major business people still wear a watch. Wearing a watch shows class and let’s the employer know you care about punctuality. Speaking of your cell phone, be sure to turn it off before you head into an interview.

Briefcase or tote bag

Carrying a briefcase or simple leather tote bag is stylish and business-like. Inside keep your planner (PDA or old fashioned paper planner is fine), pens, copies of your resume, a lipstick and compact mirror. Check your makeup and add a dab of lipstick right before entering the lobby. Be sure you don’t have any lipstick on your teeth. Don’t carry your everyday purse filled with junk. Nothing is worse than searching for a pen or your daily planner and having to dump your makeup bag, tampons, dirty kleenex and everything else out to find it.

When you land a new job, the employer will probably say that the dress code is “business casual.” Somewhere between stuffy corporate attire and sloppy casual dress, most companies are defining their dress code as business casual these days.

But what exactly does that mean? Well, it definitely depends on the industry. A business casual accounting office might not be the same as a business casual graphic design company. Your best bet is to dress a little more business than casual to begin with, and then see what your co-workers are wearing.

In general, here are some basic guidelines on what type of clothing is appropriate in a business casual environment.

Men’s Business Casual Attire

Though men don’t need a jacket and tie, you should still look neat and appropriate. Tuck in your shirt and definitely wear a belt.

* Khaki pants
* Casual slacks
* Button down shirts
* Polo shirts
* Sweaters
* Leather shoes
* No jeans (maybe for casual Fridays)
* No baggy clothing
* No sneakers
* No sandals
* No cotton t-shirts

Women’s Business Casual Attire

Keep your jewelry simple and your makeup light. Skip the low-cut tops and shiny fabrics. Always look stylish and pulled together. Wear pantyhose, if your skirt is above mid-calf.

* Pantsuits
* Twill, knit, linen or other pants
* Skirts (no shorter than an inch above the knee)
* Tailored blouses
* Sweaters or sweater sets
* No jeans (maybe for casual Fridays)
* No open-toed shoes (unless specified in your company policy)
* No extremely high heels