Dear Rachel,
This may seem like a silly question, but it's important to me to make a good impression as I begin the job interview process. What's appropriate dress for a young woman just out of college? As an intern last year at a large New York agency, I saw clothing that ran the gamut from prude to lewd. I don't want to come off as uptight, but I also don't want to be dismissed based on a short skirt. Do you have any advice?-- Kara Clotheshorse

Dear Kara,   
Good question. Headhunters and media folks tell me that appearance isn't taken nearly as seriously as it should be.

Media is a creative industry, but that is not a signal to show up as though you were going to the beach for the day or a party, either for the interview or for work once you've landed the job.

Always think in terms of style. You want to be stylish at whatever the level of dress, as though you knew when you were dressing that morning what effect your look would have on people.

“Many people confuse being stylish and or casual with showing skin-- whether it's belly shirts, string tops, shorts, flip flops etc.-- instead of putting together a great outfit that's suitable for an office environment,” one New York headhunter tells me.

As for interviewing, be stylish but not too much on the edge. Stay away from anything extreme. And remember, no to flip flops, as obvious as that may sound, yes to hosiery, and don't wear anything your parents would hate.

As one woman who's risen high in media puts it, “No short skirts. No cleavage. And no open-toed shoes for an interview.

“It is hard to describe what works,” she says. “Aim for chic but not trendy. The rule of thumb is to always dress up for interviews. Suits, tailored clothing, no midriffs, jeans, etc. Aim for business professional.”

You want to come off as a cut above the crowd, a bit more polished.

It's a lot easier for young men fresh out of college out on the interview trail: khakis, a long-sleeve button-down shirt, blazer and a tie. Find socks that match and polish those shoes.

Once you join the agency, take your clues from your peers. As in college, you'll want to see what everyone is wearing before going deep on a new wardrobe. Follow the lead in your department. If others dress casually, then you should too.

But casual does not mean sloppy. Again, it's about style and being stylish without working at it so hard that people talk about it. Take note of the type of clothes women who have gotten ahead at the agency wear, and use them as your style mentors.

Here’s a reality check. Ask yourself this: If the client showed up unexpectedly, would you be comfortable dressed as you are in an impromptu meeting? If not, you are probably not dressed appropriately.

In the end, it is all about being taken seriously. You want the client to take you seriously, but also your bosses and your peers.

In today's society, we all pretend to be fashion agnostic. Casual is taken as cool, as a statement of individuality.

But the truth is we are no less conscious of style than we ever were, and we are quite conscious of what certain looks mean.

You want to figure out what that look is for you and use that look to project what you aspire to be. People will pay attention, even if they never say anything. If it really works for you, they won't have to.