Back in the day, dressing for a PR job work was easy - we all had to wear suits.

Nowadays, it's tricky getting an outfit sorted. It has to be smart, but not too smart. It has to show some flair, but not be too wacky.

My boss has this near obsession with power dressing - but for her this seems to mean looking almost asexual.

How I sometimes envy those journalists who seem to throw on any old tat. They look dreadful of course, but no one seems to care.

For us PROs though, striking the right sartorial note can be a minefield. So here is my guide of what to wear, and what to avoid for a career in PR:

1. For men, the look du jour is smart jeans with a jacket. This seems to work for most, although, please, if you are of a certain age, this is not an excuse for the deck shoes!

2. Suits and ties still have a place, but only for boring clients, such as financial institutions. (But these also tend to be the ones with the dollar, so be careful, a suit from Next may not suffice!)

3. Never wear flip flops at work, I don’t care how hot it is. And those shorts look ridiculous too!

4. If legs are bare, make sure hemlines are not too short. If your boss is male he won't know where to look and if she's female, despite what she says, she did notice and she doesn't like it!

5. Too much cleavage is not a good idea. Some contacts will love this look of course, but it does beg the question, 'Where is this business relationship headed?...

6. Sandals. Lovely if you treat your feet to regular pedicures, otherwise not. And wearing socks with them is NOT an option. Although, secretly I'd respect your spirt, don't expect me to back you up in public.

7. When it comes to awards dinners, brave outfits are not always the way forward. You don't want to be the "girl in that dress!"

And remember you're almost bound to get drunk and then you'll decide that you're the best dancer in PR, so maybe veer on the side of caution...

8. Some like to wear caps. I don't! All I can say is, be VERY careful. They can look cool, but they can also look downright daft. Women should avoid headwear altogether, as any Royal Wedding picture proves.