Internships call for classy clothes

Summer is finally here, which means everyone is looking forward to glorious days of no… Summer is finally here, which means everyone is looking forward to glorious days of no classes, trips to the beach, parties, hanging out with friends and, of course, summer jobs and internships. Well, maybe you’re not looking forward to that last one so much, and the thought of having to wear boring work clothes all day doesn’t exactly add to the excitement.

As a business student, there are plenty of times when an event calls for me to wear business professional – meaning dull – suits. But it’s a necessary evil, especially for interviews and other professional events like job fairs.

Even though a business suit might seem fairly self-explanatory, there are a lot of little extra things to remember. For interviews, dressing conservatively is key, as a lot of interviewers could be much older than you.

Of course, if you’re in a more creative field, it might be best to not dress ultra stuffy and instead let your creative side show a bit. But in more traditional fields, stick with dark-colored suits in black, gray or brown paired with something subtle underneath and not too low-cut.

Also, consider your figure when choosing a suit. There are many options – the number of buttons on the jacket, the length of the jacket, the leg width of pants and the length of the pants or skirt – that can have a significant impact on how your body looks, as anyone who has watched Clinton Kelly on “What Not to Wear” probably already knows.

Just because something is trendy doesn’t necessarily mean it will work best with your body type, and making sure that clothing fits well is always important when trying to look your best. Ann Taylor has a lot of basics that you can mix and match and still look chic. If you’re looking to be a little trendier, Bebe carries more fashion-forward suiting in a variety of styles and fabrics.

Shoes shouldn’t be particularly outrageous in any way and should definitely match your outfit. Mixing black and brown might work in other situations where you can afford to take a fashion risk, but I think an interview is one place where you should abide by this fashion rule. And don’t forget the little extras that make you look more polished. Although sheer pantyhose seem rather old fashioned for our generation, it’s probably best to wear them, even if you’re wearing pants.

This also isn’t the time to try out any new makeup techniques or a new hairdo. In fact, if your hair is a distraction, it would be to your advantage to pull it out of your face so you aren’t tempted to play with it. Perfume is another thing I would be hesitant to douse myself with, since scent is such a personal preference. You don’t want your interviewer to be immediately turned off or distracted from your brilliant answers to her questions.

But after you land the job – assuming you’ve taken down all those incriminating Facebook photos – it’s a little different. You can afford to let your personality show through more, and you can easily tell what’s acceptable and unacceptable by observing your office’s culture and what other employees wear. Luckily, a lot of trends today lend themselves well to spicing up office basics.

Check out Express for wide-leg, high-waisted trousers that are a chic alternative to basic dress pants. Pair them with a pretty, feminine blouse in a bright color or, for another option, try a pencil skirt opposite a looser top to balance out the tight fit of the skirt. To elongate your legs in a skirt, steer clear of shoes with an ankle strap that will visually cut your leg off at the ankle and leave them looking short. Using accessories like fun belts and shoes in a variety of colors and textures are a great way to make boring pants and shirts a little more “you.”

Skinny, brightly colored belts are particularly popular right now and are an easy way to add a quick dose of polish to your outfit. Your shoes and belt definitely don’t have to match, but complementary colors are key. Prints are big this season, and wrap dresses are a work-appropriate choice to showcase your favorite patterns and liven up a monotonous Wednesday.

Offices can be chilly even when it’s scorching outside, so don’t forget to top off your look with colorful cardigans and fitted blazers. These chic toppers can also make a lot of your favorite tank tops work-ready and really help expand your workday wardrobe. Finish things off with a bold statement-making piece of jewelry like the big baubles from J.Crew, and if there were a “style” section on your performance appraisal, you’d be guaranteed to receive top marks.

The bottom line in staying out of the red at work is that if you have any doubts, you probably shouldn’t wear it. Obviously, what you can wear to work varies from job to job. If you want to be taken seriously, though, it’s probably best to take pride in your appearance no matter what field you’re in – it shows your boss that you’re serious about your job and care about the work that you’re doing. After all, there will be plenty of time after work to wear all your teensy shorts and sundresses.