It’s difficult to blossom in the professional world as a college girl who is still finding herself and is also smack-dab in the prime of creating fashion statements that embody a youthful, personal expression.
With summer approaching, it’s the season where we love to let loose and bare all—in a trendy way of course. Attempting to be a successful career woman while gathering together the shambles of your life at the same time, it can be challenging to find a sophisticated balance. Landing a summer internship doesn’t always sound fun, but it’s a great way to break into the professional world and feel like a classy lady while doing it. If you have trouble expressing yourself fashionably through bland and boring “professionally appropriate” attire, no need to worry—here’s a few simple steps on how to dress for your summer internship and still feel fabulous.
Step One: Vary Your Hairstyles
At my last internship, the management seemed pretty strict about wearing “heels too high” or “clothes too tight,” so instead of focusing too much on flashy outfits, I decided to experiment with hairstyles—because at least they can’t tell you what to do with your hair! Somedays I would try a cute side braid with loose hair hanging out the side or I would play with bobby-pins and try a new up-do. My favorite method is to sleep in braids, then let them out the next day to get the wavy look—a perfect summer style.
Step Two: Jewelry is Important… and So Much Fun
Jewelry can really make or break a style and add flavor to an outfit. If you’re stuck wearing a boring black dress because you’re unsure of your neon-colored summer clothes, you can always throw on those hot-pink dangling earrings or silver and gold bracelets that is sure to spice up any bland look. Rings are also a nice touch to looking presentable, especially if you are in customer service and talk to people all day. Pretty rings and painted nails is a professional way to look nice for your clients or co-workers, especially someone like me who talks with their hands.
Step Three: Be Careful of Tank-Tops
Summer can get ridiculously hot and really uncomfortable when you’re expected to wear a suit jacket everyday—but there are plenty of ways to wear a dressy tank-top that’s not spaghetti strap or revealing too much shoulder. Choose loose, flowy shirts to tuck into a pencil skirt or thick shoulders if you’re going to wear a tank-top. Spaghetti strap sun-dresses are okay especially if you have a light cardigan to go over top. Don’t let yourself sweat to death—just make sure your tank-top is tasteful.
Step Four: Shoes Are Everything
Jeanine Delsordo, Finance grad student in Temple’s Investment Management Program said dressing her outfit up with cute shoes is what usually makes her signature internship style. Starting a new Finance Internship this May at American Water Company, Delsordo plans to complement her professional attire with stylish shoes and accessories.
“I like to wear solid-color dresses—like black or white—then wear cute, colorful pumps with it,” Delsordo said. “Like a professional, short-sleeve dress, then dress that up with some less-professional shoes.”
Delsordo worked at a bank over the summer in her hometown where she styled most of the outfits she plans to wear for her upcoming summer internship.
“I had this one outfit that was super cute but the skirt unfortunately got ruined—it was a pleather, beige skirt and I wore it with this bright pink button-up shirt and these snake-skin beige and tan pumps—it was so cute,” Delsordo said. “But then my skirt I guess got pushed up against new blue jeans somehow, so now there’s a blue square on the pleather that’s probably permanent,” she added. “But that was my typical outfit.”
Internships can be a lot of pressure, but looking good is one more step to feeling confident, which is one more step to success. Take pride in your stylish creativity and embrace the professional-world in your own unique way!