Your phone case — or lack of one — could be hurting your image at work

A phone case is an accessory, and accessories can send certain messages in the workplace. Getty Images; Tyler Le/BI By now, most working professionals are well aware of the rules that have come to define corporate-appropriate presentation : Skip flashy designer logos, steam blouses and dress shirts, avoid open-toed shoes, and if it's described as "office siren," ditch it altogether. There is another detail, though, you might be overlooking when getting ready for the office: your phone case. To Michelle T. Sterling, an image consultant and personal stylist with over 20 years of experience, a phone is similar to a pair of shoes or a watch. It's an accessory. "It's an extension of your outfit," she said. "Just like having well-groomed nails is an extension of how you're preparing yourself and presenting yourself, your phone is also a representation of you."