As sophomore summer winds down, we must look ahead to the beginning of junior year -- where fun goes to die. Halfway through our time at Dartmouth, we are either motivated by our conscience or by our parents' threats to stop supporting us financially, to put down the pong paddle and pick up a copy of the "Case in Point." This fall, many '10s will be interning in different parts of the country, and some will even go abroad. Let's be honest, none of us are really ready for this, but we might as well pretend we are. Here are the Fashion Do's and Don'ts. on how to look the part in your real-world job... even if you have no clue what you are doing.
Do:
The Suit " An obvious essential for any pretentious investment bank or consulting firm. For guys and girls, the suit should fit well and be tailored if necessary. Guys should stick with black, deep navy blue or gray suits, while girls can do either a pant suit or a skirt suit that hits at the knee. For the ladies, panty hose is pretty outdated at this point, but if the office happens to be uber-conservative, you may consider a sheer pair. Bold or light colors should be left for the accent shirt or blouse so definitely avoid the white suit " it screams cheap-rate pimp.
The Phone " If you thought people at Dartmouth act more important than they really are, wait until you hit the real world. Chances are, you'll find some of the most self-important people you've ever met, and you'll be working with them for the next 10 weeks ... have fun! But if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Every self-important d-bag's favorite accessory is the Blackberry. If you aren't one of the lucky few whose companies loan you one for the term, you better invest in one if you have any desire to fit in at the round table.
The Shoes " Give your frat shoes and rain boots a break for a term and learn to strut your stuff in classy leather loafers or dress shoes. A nice brown or black pair in leather or suede
is always worth investing in " just steer clear
of any alligator embossed leather or those super-elon-
gated dress shoes that will only perpetuate the cheap-rate pimp look. Every girl should own a classic pair of black leather heels but don't be overambitious with height " with a sloppy gait you'll look like a five-year-old in her mother's pumps. If heels aren't your thing, a nice pair of black dress flats always looks put-together and is a lot more practical when running around getting coffee and the boss's laundry, anyways.
Don't:
Flair " There are no DOC trips or tackies parties in the real world so grow up and stash that flair in storage, at least until you get back to Dartmouth. People in the real world are always uptight... even when they are supposed to be "hanging out" after hours. Trust me, they'll call the nearest psych ward before they can find the humor in your rainbow suspenders or hot pink pleather leggings. So save such awesome gear for people who really can appreciate it and for the 10 weeks sink to the boring "I'm-trying-to-be-mature-and-in-the-city" persona of all your colleagues.
Backpack " This is an obvious no-no. That sweet North Face backpack with the water pack and attached straw may be cool up in Hanover, but nobody will take you seriously once you enter your company's corporate headquarters in New York City. Switch up the backpack with an on-the-shoulder bag or briefcase. You'll instantly blend in much easier with the grown-ups of the office and it will give you a chance to make it over to the water cooler at least a few times a day... supposedly great office gossip takes place here.
Anything revealing " While this is directed more at the ladies, men can also be culprits of the wardrobe malfunction once in awhile. While "business casual" varies from company to company, anything that comes close to revealing bra or booty is a major don't. Unless your plan is to seduce the CEO, wearing a skimpy dress or skirt (that hits above the knee) will just leave a bad taste in your co-workers' mouths, and you'll come across as unprofessional to clients. Guys, if your pants are hanging low enough that we can see your South Park boxers you might want to invest in a belt. Likewise, if your shirt is unbuttoned to the point that tufts of hair are pouring out, please spend the extra five seconds buttoning your shirt... nobody really wants to see that.
Flair " There are no DOC trips or tackies parties in the real world so grow up and stash that flair in storage, at least until you get back to Dartmouth. People in the real world are always uptight... even when they are supposed to be "hanging out" after hours. Trust me, they'll call the nearest psych ward before they can find the humor in your rainbow suspenders or hot pink pleather leggings. So save such awesome gear for people who really can appreciate it and for the 10 weeks sink to the boring "I'm-trying-to-be-mature-and-in-the-city" persona of all your colleagues.
Backpack " This is an obvious no-no. That sweet North Face backpack with the water pack and attached straw may be cool up in Hanover, but nobody will take you seriously once you enter your company's corporate headquarters in New York City. Switch up the backpack with an on-the-shoulder bag or briefcase. You'll instantly blend in much easier with the grown-ups of the office and it will give you a chance to make it over to the water cooler at least a few times a day... supposedly great office gossip takes place here.
Anything revealing " While this is directed more at the ladies, men can also be culprits of the wardrobe malfunction once in awhile. While "business casual" varies from company to company, anything that comes close to revealing bra or booty is a major don't. Unless your plan is to seduce the CEO, wearing a skimpy dress or skirt (that hits above the knee) will just leave a bad taste in your co-workers' mouths, and you'll come across as unprofessional to clients. Guys, if your pants are hanging low enough that we can see your South Park boxers you might want to invest in a belt. Likewise, if your shirt is unbuttoned to the point that tufts of hair are pouring out, please spend the extra five seconds buttoning your shirt... nobody really wants to see that.
I hope these few pointers will give you some guidance in selecting pieces for your 08F Off-Campus Collection. So what if you are clueless about that project your boss has just put you on? With the right clothes, you can fake just about anything.
