College students are always eagerly looking for internship opportunities—not only during the summer months, but also all year round. Internships are important; students are able to receive hands-on experience in their desired field and they are able to gain skills they did not previously have. Once you land that awesome internship you always dreamed of, there is still something left—what do you wear?!
Lace Blouse, H&M, $29.95
Having an internship-appropriate wardrobe is a necessity; the clothes you wear when hanging out with friends or going to class are rarely the type of clothes you will be wearing to your internship. But what exactly do interns wear? Jeans? Blazers? Khakis? First things first—don’t be afraid to ask what the dress code is! Shoot your boss an email before your first day asking what the dress code is, that way you will be more than prepared. The office vibe could vary anywhere from business casual to very casual to dressy. Don’t buy anything new until you know what to look for!
Textured-knit Skirt, H&M, $34.95
On your first day, dress up a little bit—you want to make a good first impression, and then you’ll be able to see what others are wearing and base your wardrobe choices on others. If others in the office are dressed more fun and casual, then you will be able to dress more comfortably, but if others are dressed more on the conservative side, then stick to more neutral colors and avoid bright, loud colors and crazy patterns. The colors and prints of your clothing depend on the environment of the office.
Patterned Chiffon Dress, H&M, $34.95
H&M is a great store to shop at for internship apparel; they have a whole business section of the store, and their prices are extremely affordable and reasonable for a college student’s budget. They have a selection of basic clothing that can be work with all office cultures. Let H&M be your one-stop-shop store! Another store to check out is Forever 21; they have a great selection of blazers in many different colors and styles and for extremely reasonable prices.
Here are some pieces you should own for your internship no matter where you are working:
- A blazer
- A cardigan
- A pair of dress pants (preferably black)
- A pencil skirt
- A shift dress
- A few blouses / dress shirts
- A pair of close-toe pumps with a medium heel
- A pair of flats
Open-Front Zippered Blazer, Forever 21, $29.80
If you are looking for an internship, there are some great websites to check out that often post opportunities, such as Intern Queen and Intern Match. Remember, no matter what, to dress appropriately; dressing inappropriately or showing too much skin can jeopardize your internship. Dress for an interview the same way you would dress for the actual job. If your internship is more casual, then don’t be afraid to add some fun flair to your internship wardrobe! Definitely remember to steer clear of jeans; some offices have “casual Fridays” where they permit their employees to dress a little more casually, but for the most part, put those ripped jeans away for the 9-5 workday. Dress appropriately and professionally, and before you know it, you’ll be a star intern.