One thing that every college student will eventually have to deal with is figuring out what to wear in a professional setting. As newcomers in the professional world, it’s not always easy to figure out what a possible employer expects when it comes to your outfits. Interviews and internships give companies their first impressions of you and one of the first things they will notice is how you are dressed. It is important to look appropriate for the work environment, and there are ways you can do it without sacrificing personal style. These style tips would also work for anyone who has already secured an office job and needs an idea of what to wear on a daily basis.
Research
When figuring out how to dress for a particular interview, internship, or job, it is important to first figure out what the company expects. You can probably assume that the attire would need to be a little more formal if you are going for a job in a professional/business field. Jobs in fields that involve less formality and more creativity will most likely not expect you to wear a suit or dress every day. That is why research is so important.
The first thing you can do is learn as much about the company as possible. Figure out what kind of environment it is, and go from there. There are also websites, such as Glassdoor that provide tips on what to wear for interviews or jobs from people that have already interviewed or worked for that company. Once you know the level of formality that is required, you can follow these tips to help build an amazing outfit.
Casual & Cool
Some office settings are more casual and do not require you to dress up every single day. This does not mean that you should wear leggings or short skirts though; always strive to be office appropriate no matter the level of casual. Sweaters and blouses paired with a nice pair of jeans would work great for this type of interview or job. Sneakers should probably be avoided unless you know for sure that it is acceptable. Instead, go for a nice pair of boots or flats. Plain t-shirts paired with nicer tailored jackets, appropriate length casual dresses, and patterned trousers would all be good styling moves for this type of informal environment.
Step It Up
Business casual is a step up from casual. If the company you are applying, interning or working for has this type of dress code, I would suggest avoiding jeans. Take it a step up by trading jeans in for casual slacks or a pencil skirt. It also may be more appropriate in this environment to wear heels if you are into them. This category is all about balance. It is okay to still wear casual blouses, sweaters, skirts, and pants, as long as you are pairing them with something a little dressier.
Formal Settings
The last category is formal office wear. This is required in very professional work environments, such as law offices and banks. Suits, dresses, and blazers are the staples of styling yourself for this type of workplace. Nice button up blouses are also great. You can still show your style with your own choice of color, fabric, and pattern. Just make sure it is nothing too bold. It is easiest to opt for monochrome or bigger geometric patterns that are less distracting. For shoes, I would suggest wearing loafers, heels, or nice flats.
Accessorizing
There is one important tip that applies to all of these categories, and that is do not over accessorize. I would suggest picking one thing to make your staple piece, like a fun pair of earrings or a cute necklace, and then playing down the rest of your jewelry. It can be distracting, even in the most casual interview and work environments. Never wear hats, unless the employer specifically tells you to. When in doubt, you can always take advice from Coco Chanel, who suggested, “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.”
Final Tips
Remember, if you do your research, you can always figure out how to build the perfect outfit for your interview, internship, or office job. If you are ever in doubt, always strive for appropriateness. Once you are more acquainted with a job, it will be easier to find ways to mix your personal style into your work style.