How to Dress the Part for Your Summer Internship
Image via ASOS
Whether you’re spending your summer working for a corporate giant or a small startup, there always comes the question: What the f*** do I wear?
Companies love to throw around terms for required attire that to this day no one can fully understand: business casual, business formal, traditional formal, smart casual, and casual. All are variations of some business-like dress code, with varying degrees of formality. The only one that is truly easy is casual. If your company tells you that’s their dress code, then lucky you! You can wear whatever you please – barring sweatpants.
But what do the rest of us do? What are we supposed to wear and where do we shop? Although I am certainly no expert, I have worked for two different companies in the past (one casual, one business casual). So, I’m here to give a few pointers on important clothing staples you need for any internship and where to look for them.
1 .Zara
Although Zara may not be the first shop that comes to mind when you think “workwear,” they surprisingly have many office-appropriate yet fashionable options. Specifically, they carry a lot of cute pants options, as well as modern blouses. These are a few of my favorite summer pieces from Zara.
2. Aritzia
Aritzia, although it’s a bit of a pricier option, is a very dependable place to buy cute yet appropriate workwear. Aritzia has a variety of clean, simple options. Some of my personal favorites are their pants, dresses, and blazers – although you can’t really go wrong with anything that the brand sells. They have everything from casual to business formal clothing, so Aritzia is perfect for any type of summer internship. Here are a few of my top picks.
3. ASOS
Surprisingly, ASOS also offers a variety of trendy office attire options. Plus, shopping at ASOS will not break the bank (they even offer student discounts!), which is ideal for a student working as a summer intern. Since this brand is not typically known for its workwear, ASOS is a great outlet for someone who wants to dress boldy yet still practically for the office. Below are a few of my favorite ASOS items you can wear to your internship this summer.
4) Banana Republic
For an internship with a more conservative dress code, Banana Republic is the way to go. Although their price range is definitely higher than some of the previous options, their pieces are guaranteed to last you a long time and serve as solid work wardrobe staples for years to come. They not only offer a sophisticated, simple selection of clothing, but are also a reliable choice if you are looking for a few new summer pieces!
Starting an internship can be nerve-racking, but knowing that you are dressed fashionably and following the proper dress code can give you a bit more peace of mind and confidence on your first day. There are many ways to dress to impress in different styles and price ranges, so hopefully these suggestions can help you start to build the perfect summer work wardrobe!