Living in Washington, D.C., you can’t help but notice the mass amount of people dressed in business attire. Whether you need to dress for an internship, a class presentation, or an interview, you can’t outrun those collard shirts and black slacks for long.
Coming from California and wearing mostly flip-flops and jeans to school, I was intimidated by the blazers and pencil skirts that I knew I would be required to wear at some point during my time in D.C. However, more than fear, what really worried me about wearing business clothing was where I was going to buy them, how much they would cost me, and most importantly, how I was going to look cute wearing a color pallet of predominately black and grey. Over the short eight months that I have been in D.C., I have picked up on a few tips for dressing business casual that I would like to pass down to you.
1. Business heels are a must.
With my business outfits, I fell into the routine of constantly wearing flats with every formal event that I attended. Even though flats work and there is nothing wrong with them, every girl should own a good pair of black or nude short business heels. Business heels look cute, help keep the ends of your pants from dragging on the floor, and you can’t help but feel confident with that extra inch of height. One brand of business heels I found that are relatively cheap and very comfortable are Comfort Plus by Pedictions at Payless. These babies are only $24.99, go one sale often, and come in a variety of colors. Personally, I would recommend the nude or black patent colors; however, don’t be afraid to spice your outfit with a turquoise or maroon heel.
2. Don’t forget a blazer!
A nice black blazer is a must have. You can throw it over jeans if you are dressing very business casual or put it on over a dress if you want a more formal outfit. The only issue with blazers is that they can be expensive. I was able to find cheap blazers at Marshall’s and TJ Maxx. I bought an Express black blazer at Marshall’s this summer for under $30. H&M also has cute blazers for under $30 as well. Both H&M and Marshall’s are just one metro stop away in Friendship Heights, which is convenient for any last minute business casual shopping!
3. Keep the colors coming.
One of the biggest complaints I have about dressing in business attire is that the color pallet is usually boring consisting of white, black and grey, and everyone starts to look the same in their black pants, white button-down shirt and black shoes. Even though business outfits are supposed to look classy and adult-like, don’t be afraid to spice up your outfit with a few patterns or colors. I would advise adding an accent piece of color to make your outfit pop, such as a nice patterned scarf or colorful shoes. A nice statement necklace is always a good way to style a plain white button-down shirt. Francesca’s has a variety of statement necklaces for around $20 each. If you want to be a little more daring, you could go for a cute pair of patterned pants. Old Navy sells cute Pixie Jacquard Ankle Pants in a variety of colors and patterns for under $40. A pair of fun pants with a black button-down top and flats tells the world you’re serious and mean business, but still gives you a little room for fun and creativity.
4. Splurge on a business bag.
A nice handbag to bring with you to internships and interviews is essential. A backpack can seem juvenile and brief cases are not always the cutest. If you are willing to spend a little more on a bag I would suggest a cute tote from Francesca’s. They usually run for around $40-$60. I like bags with zippers because I have a lesser chance of accidentally losing my belongings; however, there are cute ones that also snap shut. If you are looking for a cheaper option, Forever 21 and H&M have stylish tote bags, big enough to hold a computer and other necessary work items, for around $20-$30.