As the school year comes to a close and internships are being secured, the daunting task of figuring out what to wear to your internship may become a distraction from finals. I’ve spent the past few weeks in this situation, and have accumulated some tips for “dressing to impress” at your internship.
First and foremost, do not assume a dress code at your internship. Send a quick email to the Human Relations department, or a contact that you have, and ask what the dress code is. This is the simplest, most direct start to your internship clothing search.
Business casual tends to be a popular dress code, so I’ll stick with this one. Here are some staple trends for you to consider:
Blouses: Avoid t-shirts and tightly fitted tops, maybe opt for something more loosely fitted. In the summer heat, you’ll appreciate the airflow. Button-up shirts are a cute, sophisticated way to make an outfit. If sleeveless blouses are allowed, consider bringing a sweater or blazer anyways, to tie the outfit together.
Pencil Skirts: Pencil skirts are sophisticated, and can be matched with blouses, blazers or cardigans. However, be wary of form fitting skirts, as they may be a distraction and be seen as inappropriate. I have found that “stretch” in the title usually yields a flattering yet inappropriate look for the office.
Crop Skinny Pants: If you’re like me and will be commuting, maybe consider some cute cropped pants. These are also flexible, and solid colors can be used in many outfits. These pants also come with printed designs. Avoid patterns that are too flashy or disorienting. You want to appear sophisticated and in control, and some patterns may portray a different image.
Dresses: Typically, sundresses are considered inappropriate and too casual for “business casual” attire. Make sure that your dresses are long enough and portray a sophisticated style. Business casual dresses may initially seem to be too long, but college casual and business casual are not the same standard.
Flats: Invest in some durable, comfortable flats. These can be worn in dressed up outfits, or dressed down. Typically, you don’t want to show your toes in the office, so avoid strappy sandals or clubbing-heels. If you like heels, make sure that they are comfortable and not too flashy.
If you’re still having trouble finding a style for you, consider creating a Pinterest page and searching for internship outfits. This is how I found the style that works for my internship and me. One major piece of advice for picking out your internship outfits is to judge your clothing choices on the people you’re surrounded by. These professionals are accustomed to the setting and will expect you to contribute to the environment. You don’t have to buy an entirely new wardrobe, but look for affordable, staple items that you can mix and match to create outfits to appear calm, collected, sophisticated and ready to wow your company.