Spring break has come and gone, and now, only five short weeks separate us from our summer internships and jobs. If you are worrying about what to wear to in these business professional environments, fret no more. Here are six tips to dress like a million bucks in interviews, networking events and when you finally get the job.
- Shoes can make or break the outfit. In the work place, make sure that they are closed-toed, even in the summertime. You don’t want something that is too strappy and make sure that they do not clash with the other colors you’re wearing. Heels aren’t mandatory so feel free to wear lower-elevating kitten heels or even flats, after all, comfort is key. The goal is to dress classy and these shoes are a great way to channel your Princess Diana. Guys should stick to black or brown dress shoes that match their suit. The Oxford shoe is a great way to dress up your look and could be worn casually as well.
- Make sure you have a fitted blazer, and this applies to everyone. It shouldn’t be too tight so that you can’t button it, but it doesn’t need to act as a parachute if your ever end up jumping out of a plane. Oversized blazers are popular right now and can be fun to experiment with, but make sure that you do not lose your figure in the fabric. Guys need to make sure that this match or complements the color of their pants and the same goes for girls if they are wearing pants or a skirt. If you really want to switch it up, then the blue suit is your answer. Navy? Sure. Cobalt? Okay. Turquoise? Kill it.
- What to put under the blazer. Women should try to stick to simple dress tops in various styles, liked a pleated or flowy blouse. Simple, classy, but just a small boost to give a little extra oomph. Stick to fabrics that can breathe in the summer heat. It is a good thing we love Wisconsin because the floral dress shirts for guys would make Fez proud, but in this case, maybe stick to wearing those shirts on casual Fridays.
- Switch up the pants this year with a new cut. Relaxed leg trousers are a great new look for guys. Not too relaxed though, think more of a fit like a straight leg jean. For girls try incorporating patterned pants. Polka dots, stripes, and plaids, oh my! If you find a soft enough pair, you can even mask your comfortable pants into looking like slacks. Go you!
- Wear red. As Badgers this is probably the easiest tip. Red has been known to boost confidence, which can make you feel even more like a boss. Women can try out red shoes, red dresses or even a red necklace. Guy could try a red tie or even better, a Bucky Badger pin.
- Mid. Length. Skirts. Looking for a new style of skirts ladies? Nothing says Audrey Hepburn like a classy mid-length skirt. In a fitted cut this skirt looks great with both heels and flats. Maybe add some sheer tights and this look may actually scream “Wear me!”
If you aren’t feeling quite ready to wear these looks, start by sticking to dark colors. You can never go wrong with an all-black look, and in many ways, this gives a ton of creative freedom. Just be ready to sweat a little bit.
Girls can finally whip out those luminous earrings and guys can introduce a pop of color with a modish watch. As for wearing navy and black at the same time, 2019 may finally be the year when this is acceptable. I definitely recommend that you assess the occasion however, as not all may agree with this fashion alleviation.
No matter what look you choose, the best look you can have is confidence. Work hard and be yourself and it won’t matter what you are wearing. Every work place is different, so showing up dressed to the nines is the best way to show you’re serious about your work. Most of all, follow this cardinal rule: dress for the job you want, not the one you have.
