Out with your North Face and in with a pencil skirt – we’re not in South Bend anymore, ladies. Summer 2014 is finally under way and that means only one thing for a Notre Dame collegiette: internship season. So let’s all do ourselves a favor and temporarily abandon our pursuits of the perfect bikini bod as we turn our focus to something a little more important, namely dressing for success.
Now, depending on your industry of choice, the Do’s and Don’t’s of what not to wear may vary. That is to say, an I-banking intern on Wall Street can always fall back on her never-fail conservative black shift dress, while someone shadowing at their local hospital would probably feel more comfortable in scrubs instead of formal wear. If you have a more free-form office, check out this advice from HCND’s Belinda Hyland. As for me, I’m spending my summer months in the Big Apple – the one and only NYC – interning at a marketing agency. Marketing is, without a doubt, a major facet of the corporate world, yet there’s something about the field’s creative inclinations that extends its dress code beyond the realm of pantsuits.
What’s more, fashion is and always has been very near and dear to my heart. The prospect of entering the professional world and having to neglect my favorite form of self-expression in favor of an endless combination of navy and taupe was mildly distressing. So, like any self-respecting collegiette, I turned to Pinterest and other knowledgeable corners of the Internet in order to address the age-old question: How does one exercise style (look cute, if you will) while still maintaining the appropriate degree of professionalism? Here are some examples I found that should inspire you right up until your last paycheck:
This outfit is perfect for a variety of reasons: the patterns, the accessories – all with a casually conservative twist. The pants are, without a doubt, her staple piece. They’re bright, fun, stylish, and strategically paired with a basic top, shoes, and belt. The necklace adds just a touch of “I tried” (it’s important to suggest that you actually care about your appearance in the workplace) while the hair is messy but not unclean. Most importantly, she’s showing just the right amount of skin; enough to stay cool in the summer heat while still appearing conservative.
Close up a few buttons on Kim Kardashian’s top and we’ve got a winner. The combination of the chambray shirt and the bright blue skirt makes for a fun color palette. Meanwhile, the shape and fit of the pencil skirt flatters her figure while the length keeps the look professional.
This Anthropologie number is a great example of office-worthy outfits to be found outside the confines of Banana Republic or J. Crew. As a shift dress, its cut and length are sophisticated, not sexy. What’s more, the dress’s pattern, in combination with the necklace, takes her look from simple to stylish. And who doesn’t love an outfit that consists of one piece – a dress – that takes as much time to pick out of your closet as it does to throw over your head?
That’s all for now, ladies!
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