Your closet may be overflowing with Forever21, Zara, and J. Crew pieces – possibly enough to rival Carrie Bradshaw – but come the first day of your internship or even your first interview, you find you truly have nothing to wear. Sadly, professional wardrobes don’t include our day-to-day duds. (Jeans in the boardroom? Definitely a no-no!) We consulted Becca McCourt, a junior and Career Coach at the Skidmore College Career Development Center, for advice on what to wear when we’re stepping into the office!
Where to shop
The best, young office-wear comes out of staple stores such as Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor LOFT, Nordstrom, GAP, J. Crew, Banana Republic, The Limited, and Express. You can also find funkier, fresher takes on the classic pieces at stores like ASOS, MANGO, H&M, and Topshop.
What to buy
Fortunately, you can transition some of the clothing that you already own to office-wear. Blouses are especially versatile, spicing up the standard blazer-and-pants combination with a pop of color or a print. To supplement them, Becca suggests, “As you start applying for internships and jobs, I’d say these items are good essentials to have in your closet: a pencil skirt, a pair of closed-toed heels, a blazer, a pair (or a couple pairs) of stockings, [and] a light cardigan.” Have each in a neutral color, but don’t be afraid to buy a couple of statement pieces as well. Just be sure to pair them with monochrome pieces to avoid print overload!
Petite No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Medallion Paisley, $89.99 at J. Crew
No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed, $99.99 at J. Crew
Dark Red Pencil Skirt, $17 at Dorothy Perkins
Jane Norman Pencil Skirt, $45 at Zalando
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How to wear it
By buying only these few key pieces, you can create a professional wardrobe that will wow your supervisors – provided you follow Becca’s seven style rules:
1. Play it safe
According to Becca, the amount of creativity that you can put into your outfits – without going overboard – depends on the company and the office environment. “Anything in the finance, accounting, banking, or investments industries will be the most conservative: wear a black or blue suit,” she advises. “For other industries, business casual outfits will be more acceptable. When in doubt, go more conservative!” It’s a good idea to enter interviews and the first few days of work on the cautious side. If after a week you notice that other interns and employees are wearing more casual or trendy outfits, you can start to let loose!
2. Cover up
Avoid anything that’s too short, low-cut, or too tight. If it looks like it could fit in at a nightclub, it isn’t appropriate for the office! Becca adds, “Skirts and dresses should come down to just above your knee. You want to look in the mirror and think, ‘I look impressive!’ not, ‘I look hot!’”
In addition to the obvious cover-up spots (cleavage and thighs), you also want to be sure to cover your legs and arms. If you’re wearing a skirt, opt for tights or stockings. Becca says that nude colored pantyhose are especially useful in the hot summer months. If you’re sporting a sleeveless top or dress, add a light cardigan or blazer to cover your shoulders (and guard you from the chill of the A/C!).
Zip Blazer, $76 at Jane Norman
Charlie Cut-away Blazer, $96 at Forever New
Toile Time Favorite Blazer, $65 at Mod Cloth
Jacket, $45 at H&M
3. Keep the accessories simple
While it may be tempting to throw multiple chain necklaces over your neutral tops, think twice before loading on the accessories. As Becca notes, “Too much jewelry can be distracting to your interviewer, and you might be tempted to play with it when you’re a little nervous.” Jangly bracelets can also be problematic in a quiet workplace or get in the way of typing and note taking. Save the cute outfit add-ons for happy hour!
4. Pull back your hair
“If you have long hair, you should wear it up or tied back,” advises Becca. “If you think you might be tempted to play with it, put it up and out of the way.” Up-dos are always more professional, and especially during that interview or those first few days, you want to play it safe. You might find that your office is more laid-back and that your supervisors wear their hair down. If that’s the case, you can ditch the tortoiseshell clips and never look back!
5. Moderate your heel height
High heels are perfectly acceptable for interviews and internships, but make sure to make the distinction between Monday morning at the office and Friday night at the bar. Heels should be closed-toed and no more than three inches high (try to avoid platforms!).
“Make sure you’ve had some practice walking in the heels,” Becca adds. “Sometimes, your interviewer will take you on a tour of the office; you don’t want to be struggling to keep up!”