Different industries have different dress requirements. The best advice is to take a cue from what your supervisor is wearing and dress accordingly. For further advice, take a look at what may be suitable for different industry sectors:

Business and Finance:
Business and finance sectors are more conservative that others. This is partially due to the fact that government and political positions are often included; but also because business and finance sectors tend to draw older, more conservative clients as well as younger, liberal clients. In situations like this, conservative attire is more appropriate.

For the interview: Men should definitely wear a suit. Three-piece suits are nice but not necessary (although recommended if you are in a more conservative region like those of the southern and eastern United States). Two-piece suits will be fine for interviews. Stick with darker colors like dark gray, navy blue, and black. Those colors portray honesty, integrity, and stability. Shirts and blouses chould be lighter in color (white, maybe beige), and ties should compliment the suit color. Women should also wear a suit (pants or skirt). If wearing a skirt or dress, it's best to make sure it's below the knee level. After you're hired, you can get a better sense of what is acceptable for that company.

Dark shoes are best. For women, pumps are okay, but make sure the shoes are close-toed. Socks should match shoes, and hosery should probably be nude or sheer.

Everyday wear: Stick with the darker colors like black, gray, and navy blue. To mix it up, add some brown. Shirts and blouses should probably be white or cream (basically, light colors).

Sales, Marketing:
These industries have a lot of flexibility. Analyze what your client base is wearing and adjust your wardrobe accordingly. If you are seeing conservative clients, dark suits may be appropriate. If you cater to more liberal clients, you will have a bit more freedom with your wardrobe, but professional attire is always recommended.

For the interview: Definitely wearing a suit. It doesn't have to be matching, but but should be coordinated, and a blazer is recommended for both men and women. Shirts and blouses can be colored, depending on the client base. Open-toed shoes should probably not be worn during the interview to be safe, but may be okay for everyday use.

Everyday wear: More of the same, but your wardrobe should be very flexible because you will probably see varying types of clients. Your attire may differ significantly from day to day depending on your agenda.

Creative Sectors (Retail, Fashion, Publishing/Arts, Advertising):
These sectors allow for the most freedom in attire. Your attire is expected to reflect that of your clients, and may change often. The best advice for this is to keep an eye on the fashion industry and make sure you are within range.

Professional (Medical, Law, Academic and Teaching, Social work, Some Government Careers, and Non-Profits):
This sector allows for some flexibility because you cater to so many different groups.

For the interview: Dress conservatively, similar to the finance sector unless you have a good feel for the company and the people interviewing you. A suit is definitely recommended, and darker colors are safer. Shirts/blouses should be lighter in color (white or beige). Shoes should match clothes, and women might consider wearing close-toed shoes.

Every day wear: Professional attire will certainly work, and has worked well in the past; but you can mix it up a little depending on your client base. With more conservative clients, you may want to stick to the darker colors. With less conservative clients, you can mix the colors and fabrics up and still be okay. You can also consider wearing sweaters (Cardigan, vest, or traditional).

Technical and Physical Science:
Dress comfortable. A professional look isn't required for technical and physical science fields; so a business suit isn't necessary. Trousers/skirts and jackets are fine. You may want to keep some professional attire around for presentations, but that's more the exception than the rule. The most important thing is to analyze what's acceptible at your location. Taking a cue from your supervisor is always advisable.

For the interview: Safe choices are sports coats or tailore djackets with coordinated pants. Shoes should match or coordinate with your outfit. For women, open or close toed shoes are okay, but consider shoes with a strap.

Everyday wear: Dress intelligently but comfortably. Remember that at any moment you might be called for a presentation. Keep a blazer and tie around just in case.

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Great tailors can work magic. There are two areas, though, where their nimble fingers are of no use.
-- If a suit jacket does not fit in the shoulders or if a jacket is too short or too long, take it off.
-- Pockets, inner lining, and silhouette also complicate toying with jacket length.

Pick a suit shape that enhances your body type.

When selecting fine businesswear, the emphasis is on nuance and subtlety. You MUST try all garments on--both parts.

Make sure the store you're in has a three-way mirror. See yourself the way the world does, all 360 degrees of you.

Staying Within a Budget

For recent graduates just entering professional life, additions to wardrobes, or complete overhauls, are likely needed. Limited funds, however, can be an obstacle. One suggestion is capsule wardrobing. For example, by mixing and matching, an eight-piece capsule wardrobe can generate up to 28 ensembles.

The most important piece in any wardrobe is a jacket that is versatile and can work with a number of other pieces. This applies to men and women. If you focus on a suit, buy one with a jacket which may be used with other skirts or trousers. Then add a black turtleneck or a white shirt. These are the fashion basics that you can build on. A navy or black blazer for men can work well with a few different gabardine pants. Although this kind of ensemble would be just as expensive as a single suit, it offers more versatility.

Other ways to save: Discounters like Ross and Marshalls, and online stores like Overstock.com can yield significant savings. You may have to search through a lot, but you can save up to 60% off department store prices, yielding a professional wardrobe on a student budget.

Other ways of staying within a budget require a little thinking outside the box. Visiting the local Goodwill or thrift stores may yield some great finds. Look for blazers and outerwear. You can also find great deals on accessories and save up to 95% in the process.

You can also find good deals at local consignment stores. If you're thinking people will laugh at you or think less of you for shopping second-hand; nobody will know if you don't tell them. Also, shopping at local thrift stores helps out the community.

Resources used: Men's Wearhouse, Quintessential Careers, FabJob, University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, Washington State University, CollegeGrad.com, Indiana University, University of Oregon, The Black Collegian, The Etiquette Ladies, Placement Manuals Online, and DressForSuccess.org.