‘Tis the season to be incredibly stressed about summer internships. You send out a few applications and if you’re lucky you get an interview. Interviews are intimidating and overwhelming and not fun. More specifically, it’s one of the rare moments in which I don’t enjoy talking about myself. Obviously, there are a lot of parts of an interview that can make someone like you or dislike you, but the most underrated part of the overall effect you will have on your interviewer is your clothes. Seriously. Call me shallow or vain, but trust me, you don’t want to be the girl who walks into 30 Rockefeller Center for an interview with NBC wearing an LBD and pumps so high that you simply look like you got lost on your walk of shame home from last night’s activities. I’ve seen it, and it ain’t pretty. So here are some suggested ways to dress for an interview to ensure that you are taken seriously by your potential employer, while also making other candidates jealous of your ability to simultaneously look professional and chic.
BUSINESS FORMAL
The first category is centered upon the most formal of the interviews, like finance or legal internships. Someone once told me that she saw a freak genius college student not get hired for an internship at a law firm because she wasn’t wearing tights with her dress. Don’t be that girl. Instead, avoid any controversy and stick with a pantsuit. I know, even thinking the word “pantsuit” makes me cringe, but it’s a sad reality of adulthood and there are ways you can make it somewhat fashionable. For the more formal interviews, black is sleek and serious and will probably make you seem a lot more collected than you actually are. Pair the suit with a white silky top and a pair of black patent leather kitten heels and voilà! You’re ready to kick butt.
Suit: Express Shirt: Vince Shoes: Stuart Weitzman
Slingback Pump
BUSINESS CASUAL
The second look is a bit more adventurous and can be worn to less formal interviews, like with broadcast news companies. Places like this you have a little more freedom to show off your fun side (think Ann Curry), but unfortunately the pantsuit is still a factor. On the bright side, you can go for something a little less intense like a navy blue or tan suit. J.Crew and Banana Republic have great shirts to wear under the suit that can be colorful and interesting, but don’t go overboard and make sure the cleavage is under wraps. Finally, throw on some neutral toned kitten heels like the Jimmy Choo ones I have shown here (a girl can dream, right?). Ultimately, all you have to do is channel your inner Ann Curry or Norah O’Donnell. It’s that easy.
Suit: J.Crew Shirt: J.Crew Shoes: Jimmy Choo
STYLISH BUSINESS
Finally, for those of you applying for an internship with a fashion magazine or PR company, you are one of the lucky ones who can kiss the pantsuit buh-bye. You can upgrade to a flowy dress—I chose a black one to stay professional, but soft pastels would work, too—and a cool jacket. Wear some fun jewelry and a pair of amazing shoes and people will start mistaking you for Anna Wintour. Well, maybe not, but you will look like a rockstar nonetheless.
Dress: Cunnigham (Chiffon) Jacket: Alice + Olivia (Tweed) Shoes: Steve Madden
So good luck, stay on the conservative side, invest in a pantsuit (ugh), and you will happily find yourself among the mature, working people of the world.