La Belle Vie: Internship chic
Although I myself am not bounding eagerly into the workplace this summer, ready to photocopy, make coffees and endlessly hope someone throws a scrap of something interesting to do my way (okay, so maybe only British internships are like that...) I too did my fair share of internships whilst I was an undergrad. Owing to the fact that I only settled into what one may tentatively call a "career path" fairly late in the day, I have quite a wide variety of experiences — and working environments — under my belt. From public relations (suit-and-heels every day) to a fashion magazine (something fabulous-and-original every day) to an academic publishing house (something fairly-casual-but-as-though-I've-made-an-effort-and-definitely-no-jeans every day), I've pretty much covered the spectrum, sartorially speaking.
The golden rule is "When in doubt, overdress." You may feel a little bit awkward, but its far worse to look as though you haven't made an effort when everyone around you is suited and booted. If a suit is required, don't mess with the rules. Especially not during your first few weeks. A good suit is a sound investment for the future, so buy the best you can afford (or ask your parents to chip in — it is, you know, educational and all that).
Guys should check out Thomas Pink for beautiful tailoring and the sharpest of dress shirts, while Reiss is my personal favorite for the ladies. The Bronwyn pencil skirt and matching Brooke jacket are timeless classics. Seeing as it is the summer months, it's also worth checking out their lighter fabrics and softer shades.
Ladies have a little bit more flexibility than men in terms of smart office wear — a starched shirt can be substituted for a soft chiffon or silk top, or you can wear a smart dress (preferably with heels). Length is important — obviously you don't want to look dowdy, but if your dress is too short for you to be able to comfortably bend down to change the printer paper, then it has to be a "no." I think Reiss's Sophia dress is perfect for the job.
For those who are on a bit more of a budget, my go-to shop for reasonably priced office wear (well, my go-to shop for pretty much any kind of wear, really) is Zara. It's a one-stop shop for both men and women looking for sharp suits and separates that won't break the bank.
If you're going to be working in a more creative industry, or just in a more laid-back office (anything on the West Coast, so I'm told) then separates are the way to go. Guys should opt for a smart shirt (in a color more imaginative than white or blue), a blazer and some non-matching trousers. This allows you some flexibility — if everyone around you is pretty casual, then you can ditch the jacket and roll up your shirt-sleeves. Round the look off in some suede loafers and a belt in a matching color. Girls should make summer dresses their staple — but not the kind I saw flaunted during Green Key. Something like this Jonathan Saunders number is more appropriate. Take note of the styling in this picture — if you're not used to heels, then wedges are your friend. Much more stable and easier for running across the office to answer the telephone.
It goes without saying that you should accessorize any work wear with SCRUPULOUSLY CLEAN, neatly styled hair and, for the girls, an appropriate amount of make-up. After all, you need to look like you mean business. Happy networking, people.
And so, it's goodbye from me. After only one brief year, my time at Dartmouth has all too soon come to an end. It's been a pleasure taking care of your sartorial needs over the past nine months. I did not get to know as many of you as I would have liked, but those I did were some of the most warm-hearted, gracious and effortlessly stylish people I have known. I'd like to thank Emma Fidel '12, Katie Gonzalez '12 and Tatiana Cooke '12 for taking a chance on an old grad student, allowing me to become the first non-undergraduate to write for The Dartmouth and Dartbeat. I can only hope to find such supportive colleagues on the next stage in my journey.