Summer is in full swing, which means many of you collegiettes™ are settling into summer internships. With quick turnaround deadlines, staff meetings, networking and possibly a new city to get to know, accessorizing is the last thing you’re worried about. That is, of course, until the night before a big day and you have (gasp) nothing to wear! We’ve all read the articles that explain what to wear, but what about those extra pieces you need that bring an outfit from simply put-together to perfect? Here’s your Her Campus Mizzou guide to the top five ‘extras’ every intern should have in her closet. With a polished look and a collegiette™ work ethic, you’ll be doing more than fetching coffee this summer.
Sensible Shoes
Yes, the word sensible connotes an image of a middle-aged woman wearing white tennis shoes and a pencil skirt on her way to work. Yuck, right? But that isn’t what we mean! Instead, if you’re planning to wear heels, pack a pair of flats just in case. They’re thin and lightweight, so you should have no problem throwing them into your bag. If you truly can’t resist wearing heels full-time, then invest in a pair with a thick heel, three inches maximum, to take the stress off your foot. You’ll thank me later.
“I love to wear heels, but I know that this summer I am going to be living in flats,” says Liz, a Mizzou student. “I bought five pairs of the same flat but in different colors!”
On a personal note, I recently bought a pair of H by Hudson booties (‘Cleo’ to be exact), and they’re my go-to shoe for the summer. They will work with anything from jeans to a skirt, and they’re surprisingly comfortable. Plus, the neutral color will easily transition into fall!
A Sturdy Tote Bag
Once you start your day, it’s unlikely that you will head back to your apartment, dorm or condo before the end of the workday. As such, you need a bag that will hold everything from your wallet and keys to your computer and makeup. It’s imperative that you invest in a bag that’s roomy enough to handle your stuff but also has strong straps so your shoulder won’t ache day after day. Bonus points if you pick a bag that can be used during the school year!
“I love my tote that I carry to class,” says Rachel, a Mizzou student. “It can hold everything from my wallet to my laptop — it’s perfect.”
A Watch
But I have my phone! I know, I know, the majority of you aren’t going to take this piece of advice until it’s too late, but believe me when I say you will need a watch at your internship.
“I just bought a gorgeous gold Michael Kors watch,” says Claire, a Mizzou student. “I never actually use it to check the time, but I’m sure it would be convenient if I did!”
There will be times throughout the day when you don’t have access to your phone, but you’re on a tight schedule. What do you do? Oh, yeah, check your watch! If you’re truly against the idea, then buy a fashion watch — you know, the extra-large, statement pieces that are most typically described as jewelry rather than as a functional item. Who cares, though — it works the same!
A Sweater or Cardigan
Although it depends on the location of your internship, I can safely assume that the majority of you will be living somewhere with typical summer weather — heat and humidity. However, many offices have strong air-conditioning systems, which render your cute tank top a massive mistake. To avoid this, always pack a sweater in that large tote bag you’re going to purchase. If nothing else, you’ll be glad you have it on nights when you stay late and the weather cools down with the evening hour.
“I get cold really easily,” says Mizzou collegiette™ Natalie. “I always have a sweater with me, and my friends are jealous when they’re shivering in class.”
Miscellaneous Hair/Makeup Items
Despite the extensive job description you studied upon applying for the internship, you never really know what you’re going to be doing on a day-to-day basis at an internship. So the 45 minutes you spent blow drying and straightening your hair this morning may not be worth it once you’re running all over a city for the majority of the day. In this case, carry around an extra hair tie or bobby pins to pull your hair off your sticky neck. Oh, and I think it goes without saying that makeup melts. Case closed.
“My hair tends to frizz like crazy in heat and humidity,” says Sarah, a Mizzou student. “After about an hour of it being down, I almost always pull it back into a ponytail or messy bun.”
With a few swipes of your debit card, you can be prepared for the summer of your life. Are there any other workplace accessories you couldn’t live without so far this summer? Let us know in the comments section!