When I lived in New Orleans the dress code at work was pretty strict. Casual Friday meant khaki pants, not jeans. I regularly wore dresses and skirts from Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic, and other fine shops. Now that I'm in California the work dress code is shorts and flip flops. That is seriously what my boss is wearing today (I'm trying to contain the explosion I'm feeling in my head). I wear jeans and a tee shirt almost daily and shop at stores like Old Navy and Target. (Not that I have anything against either of these stores; I love me some Target)

I'm beginning to feel like I have no style and that I dress too old for my age (I'm 27). I still go in BR, but now when I look at the clothes all I can think is "Yeah it's cute, but I need about $100 worth of accessories to make it work." And since CA is way more expensive than New Orleans, I can't afford $100 worth of accessories for every outfit I own. I'm also thinking that the lack of style is making me look unprofessional and making it hard for my bosses to look at me as someone to promote. But, at the same time, I don't want to go overboard and be uber-professional and stick out in the office. (okay so there are only 3 of us in my office, but still).

Also, I lost all of my "work clothes" in the hurricane, so am still short on basic wardrobe items. I have a nice pair of black slacks and a suit coat, but that's about it. And now I'm just babbling on, because when I get upset that's what I do, and my wardrobe situation definitely upsets me.

-regan

I'm fighting the urge to get on a plane and fly to California and take Regan shopping. Or at least take her out for lunch and nice glass of wine.

Regan has a common dilemma: she's trying to sort out the rules of the new casual office, which is often more casual than office, and she's trying to do it without breaking the bank. What Regan needs is a good selection of basics (have you heard this before?) that she can wear for work AND play, and a couple of more business-like pieces that she can mix with her casual clothes and wear together for dressier work functions.

Let's start with basics. Because Regan's office is a jeans-and-tee kind of place, she needs two or three really great pairs of jeans. No holes or ragged hems or whiskering; she wants nice looking jeans in a dark wash. She needs one pair hemmed for heels, one pair hemmed for flats, and one pair of trouser jeans. A boot-cut or wide leg will be dressier than a skinny jean, although skinny jeans with ballet flats can work for a casual Friday office. Regan should also make her existing black pants work for her by substituting them for her jeans as much as possible. She can wear them with a basic tee and some great accessories for a look that is casual but not necessarily dressy. (More about accessories in a moment.)

Under NO circumstances, however, should Regan wear flip flops to work with her jeans. Flip flops are fine for weekends, but they should NEVER be worn to the office, even if her boss does wear them. For a casual office, a strappy sandal or open-toed pump may be entirely appropriate, but unless you are a lifeguard, NO FLIP FLOPS, ever, for work.

I get the sense from Regan's e-mail that she's not entirely happy with the All Jeans All The Time office wardrobe, and I can sympathize. Casual doesn't mean you must wear jeans all the time (for work or weekend), and a great cotton or linen skirt is a good alternative. Regan should look for A-line skirts in quirky patterns or interesting colors; she wants the hems to hit at the knee, for a more professional look. A knee length A-line skirt can be dressed down with flat shoes and a tee, or dressed up with kitten heels and a sweater. Target has some great skirts this spring, and Old Navy is a good source for tops.

Regan might also want to add a pair of chino pants, which are another good alternative to jeans. Again, Old Navy has great chinos for under $30.00; Regan can wear them right out of the dryer for a more casual look or iron them if she wants to look more polished. She can opt for a longer hem, to wear with heels, or go shorter for flats. She could also add a pair of cropped or capri-length chinos for summer; she should look for a hem that hits just above the ankle, which is a more versatile length and can be worn with flats or heels. She should NOT wear her chinos to work with tennis shoes, however; she wants to pair them with some dressier shoes, even if that just means a little ballet flat. Save the Keds for the weekend.

Regan can dress up her basic jeans-and-tee outfit with a jacket. I don't know what her suit jacket is like, but I suggest she try it on with some nice dark jeans and some dressier shoes. She can wear a sweater under it, or a tee, in either a complimentary color or with a subtle graphic design; this will give her jeans a more professional edge. Keep in mind that graphic tees are fine for a casual office as long as they don't say anything that might be offensive to a client or coworker. Remember, too, that wearing a tee with writing on the front guarantees that people will spend the day staring at your boobs, which perhaps isn't something you want to encourage at work. Slogan tees are best kept for the weekend.

Regan also needs a tailored denim jacket, either a fitted jean jacket or a denim blazer, to wear with skirts and chinos. Again, this is a piece that can move from work to weekend, and will give her casual work outfits a little edge. HOWEVER, she should NOT wear the jean jacket with her jeans. Instead, she needs a corduroy or suede or tweed jacket to wear with jeans. She can go with a more casual fabric in a traditional cut (a two-button corduroy blazer, for example), or a more formal fabric in a less dressy style (a tweed hacking jacket). Any of these jackets will be terrific with her black pants; I wear my black wool pants with a sweater or tee and my jean jacket. It's my go-to outfit for last-minute lunches and meetings because it's grown up and professional without being overwhelming.

The last jacket Regan needs is a basic trench, which is everywhere this spring. The trench is a great piece because it is practical AND stylish, and it's an easy way to dress up even the most mundane outfit. I would suggest that Regan look for something in a neutral color (khaki or brown or navy, for example) so that she can get the most use out of it. She should look for a three-quarter length, because this will be the most versatile and will go with skirts and pants, of all lengths. The trench pictured here is available at the Gap for $98.00, and comes in chocolate brown and white.

Regan is also wondering about accessories. She's right that accessories can make the difference between an outfit that is fine and one that is really a success, but she also shouldn't have to spend a fortune on extras to go with her basics. Regan should think about what accessories she is most comfortable with and then find a few really great pieces. A distinctive necklace is a great addition to a basic tee; a beautiful bag can dress up an outfit; a really cool belt can spiff up jeans. Regan shouldn't feel like every outfit needs its own set of accessories; instead, she should focus on pieces that she loves and would want to wear every day. Those few pieces will become part of Regan's personal style and will make her basics look distinctive and personal. I am partial to chandelier earrings, which go with everything; the pair pictured above are available at Target for $14.99.

Regan shouldn't feel like she has to wear a suit every day, but she shouldn't be afraid to look nice. Sticking with separates, rather than dresses or suits, will allow her to customize her look; she can mix dressier pieces with more casual pieces for a polished, professional look that is still young and hip and individual.

Susan Wagner writes about fashion at Friday Style and everything else at Friday Playdate. You can send her your style questions at fridaystyle.susan AT gmail DOT com.