"What to wear to work is an issue that's more complicated than merely adhering to a dress code," says Lisa Armstrong, author of "Harper Bazaar Fashion: Your Guide to Personal Style." The good news according to Armstrong is that what we do choose to wear professionally is "an opportunity to express your individual style."

Here are some guidelines from "Harper Bazaar" for working girls everywhere that are ready to leave the flip flops behind and put some power into their office attire:

— As a rule of thumb, the best cues come from your boss. If she's immaculate, then make time for grooming. If she has a slightly haphazard attitude about her appearance, then a low-key approach, without compromising your own standards, is wise. Don't sublimate your personality, but develop a complementary style. It is basic modern-business etiquette.

— Identifying a uniform, however loosely you end up interpreting it, is a useful exercise because it helps you to concentrate on investment pieces. Do your colleague's flannel pants and fine-gauge crewnecks ooze relaxed authority? Then think about how you could mirror that in your own way. Maybe it's with a straight, dark skirt, a pretty blouse and a pair of wedge shoes. Perhaps, the office vibe is more iconoclastic. In that case, you'd be amazed how useful a well-cut leather jacket can be.

— One fabulously timeless jacket is where the bulk of your investment should go. Find something in a medium or lightweight wool, since you don't want a jacket that spends most of its office life draped over the back of your chair. A little bit of stretch means the jacket will retain its shape on business trips, and luxe materials will elevate even jeans.

— Save the throwaway fashion statements for weekends. Three pairs of pants or three skirts should be enough for starters. Five tops to every skirt or pair of pants you own is plenty. Consider medium-to-heavy-weight silk blouses that will look good with or without a jacket. The bow blouse is a big hit this fall.

— While the dress can be a one-stop piece, smart separates that can be mixed and matched will provide working girls with many more options. One good tip: Don't worry about exact matches, work tonally. Steer away from anything overly eye-popping. Instead of brights, think intense, rich shades. And yes, you can wear white after Labor Day!

— Once you've got the pieces in place, mixing textures is an effective way to achieve a balance of formal and modern. Try, for instance, a tweed jacket with velvet pants or a leather bomber jacket with gabardine pants. They can look exceedingly smart without falling into the deathly trap of boring corporation.

— Finish off your tailored work wear with interesting accessories that express your own style personality. Try a neutral strappy sandal instead of classic pumps or a sleek and brightly colored handbag. Lighten up power suits with a bold necklace or big cuff bracelet. After all, even working girls want to have some fun!