Building a Professional Wardrobe in College
Life on a college student’s budget is hard. We don’t make any money, in fact, we lose money by the day. As our education grows, our debt sinks. The only guarantee we have is the investment in our future. The sacred internship which we all hope leads to a job and leads to a very large pay check. While we all want to love what we do, in the end, as a college graduate, we want money.
When packing for college, most of us will load our bags with sweatpants and cozy tops, surrounding ourselves with the wardrobe that has become the epitome of college style. On those cold or rainy mornings, believe me, that warm sweatshirt will be your best friends, and you will totally be glad you brought it, but what about when it comes time to go to an interview or a formal presentation? Even as college students, we need, at least a few, professional esque pieces. Nice clothing is not cheap; that’s a fact, but it’s worth the investment. If you slowly collect a few business-casual options, when it comes time to apply and interview for internships, you’ll be grateful. While college is about comfort, it’s also about success and getting a career. In order to do so, you’ve got to dress the part. Here are a few options that are pretty basic, somewhat affordable, and can be worn now and carried into your professional life after college. Think about it as the foundation for your career-oriented wardrobe.
A Good Blazer-
When it comes to business wear, fit is everything, so it’s worth spending a couple of extra bucks in order to find the perfect blazer. If you don’t already own one, start with black. It’s a color that goes with just about everything and is a necessary staple.
Dress Pant-
Again, fit is important. There are so many different styles out there, try them all. There’s a skinny or slim fit, which most of us may gravitate towards since we live in a “skinny jeans” world, however, sometimes a trouser or wider fit can be even more flattering.
A Blouse-
This is a staple item. You can wear it to work, out to dinner with friends, or even to a casual class presentation. A blouse can be worn alone, tucked into a skirt, or worn under a blazer; it’s very versatile.
Shift Skirt-
A shift skirt is similar to a pencil skirt, but a little less form fitting. They look great on everyone. You could pair it with a matching blazer, or just tuck in a contrasting colored blouse.
Heels-
I know, we all hate heels. They look cute, don’t get me wrong, but for long periods of time they are the least comfortable shoe out there. While you may not wear heels all that often, having a neutral pair may come in handy.
If you have these few items in your closet, when the time comes to schedule an interview, you’ll feel ready to go. Interviews and new jobs can be seriously uncomfortable, but don’t let your outfit contribute to that. Take some time, find things that look great and fit great so you can feel super confident when you walk into the room.