I'm a personal stylist for corporate clients. There are 5 mistakes I always tell them to avoid when dressing for work.

I can't afford a Dior bag, so I tried their $325 massage instead. Here's what it was like.

As a personal stylist for corporate clients, I believe that picking out an outfit shouldn't be the hardest part of someone's morning — it should be the easiest.

After four years of helping professionals build wardrobes that suit their lifestyles and boost their confidence in the office, I've learned what works — and what doesn't — when dressing for the workplace.

These are five of the most common mistakes I always tell clients to avoid.

One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is what I call the "all-black blob."

Because wearing black feels easy, professional, and safe, people tend to use this same formula every day: a black ballet flat, black straight-leg trousers, a black tee, and a black blazer.

There's nothing necessarily wrong with that attire, but when everything is the same, I think it starts to eliminate any sense of personality or interest in the outfit.

Instead, I recommend simply adding one thing to give the look some dimension, like mixing cotton with wool, cashmere, leather, or suede. That way, even though everything is black, the outfit doesn't feel flat.

Another way to elevate an all-black outfit is to incorporate an interesting pair of shoes. I love snakeskin as a way to add a little pattern to an otherwise simple ensemble. I also recommend trying a loafer in a deep brown or navy, or grabbing a suede pair to add even more texture.

The same goes for shirts and ties. I wouldn't necessarily wear a black button-down with a black blazer. Instead, I recommend breaking it up with a different color, texture, or accessory.

Of course, if someone's job or corporate event requires a suit, then they should absolutely wear one. But in any other case, looking professional doesn't always mean reaching for a blazer.

Instead, I recommend that women look for a lady jacket — a collarless outerwear that hits nicely at the waist — which gives a more relaxed feel while still looking polished.