Internship Fashion Dos and Don’tsWritten by: Jackie Pecquex,
Many of us take great pride in how we present ourselves—socially, digitally and physically—and want to put forth the best possible version of ourselves. It’s important that young go-getters (like us) project a professional image that is reflected by our manner of dress. I’ve compiled a list of my internship fashion dos and don’ts that I hope will help you when you wake up on that first day and decide what to wear (although, let’s be honest, most of us plan that out in advance)!
DO: Buy a blazer. I can’t stress this enough! A plain, black blazer can spice up any outfit—be it dress, skirt, pants or even shorts. Consider wearing a blazer with a more flowy, feminine shirt to create structure and add a more professional edge.
DON’T: ‘Risk it’ by wearing an outfit you’re unsure of. Get a feel for the unspoken (or, perhaps, dictated) office dress code before you decide to rock those heeled boots.
DO: Make sure you’ll be comfortable. This may mean abandoning the aforementioned heeled boots for a pair of flats or sandals (if you do want the extra height, spring for wedges or chunky heels). Most internships are not sedentary experiences—prepare to move!
DON’T: Wear too much makeup. You’re interning to gain experience and assist in company activities—NOT to walk down a catwalk! Prove to your employers that you’re serious about getting down to business and you’re not afraid to chip your nails.
DO: Wear daring, fun statement jewelry. It’s not only super fun to wear and makes any outfit more interesting, and can be a good conversation starter with more fashion-savvy co-workers. Chunky rings are great to dress up your coffee-holding hand.
DON’T: Neglect the internet. A wealth of internship fashion inspiration is available on websites like Polyvore, where you can use the search to find users' pre-made 'internship' sets.
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