It's important now more than ever for real estate agents to take the time to send the right impression when meeting home buyers or sellers. A slowing market means you're up against strong competition from other agents. Knowing what to wear can turn a first impression into a closed client. Here are some fashion dos and don'ts.

Women

-Pants are fine, but make sure they're not low riders.

-Ditch the tee shirts, tank and tube tops. House hunting is a business not a vacation.

-Skirts are great. Minis send the wrong message.

-Streamline jewelry and utilize limited amounts to accent your business perspective.

-Simplify make-up, hair and manicure styles to appeal to the majority of people.

Men

-Business-casual pants are best if not wearing a suit. No jeans or shorts, ever.

-Open collar shirts work fine, but other realty agents and home buyers and sellers don't need to see your buffed or not so buffed chest or four gold chains.

-Wear simple patterned shirts with matching plain pants. Remember that red denotes power.

Both

-Baseball caps are for bad hair days and if you're working, you need to fix the bad hair before meeting clients.

-You must wear socks or stockings. No sandals, period. If you are asked to remove your shoes, owners don't necessarily want your bare feet on their floors.

-Remove your sunglasses when inside buildings. People expect some eye contact.

-Go easy on the perfume. Many people have allergies to it today and they could be your clients.

-Put cigarettes, cigars and pipes out of view. They're not exactly a popular fashion or political statement.