Now that classes are back in full swing, so are internships, interviews and career fairs. As college students, we’ve grown accustomed to wearing athleisure and casual outfits every day, but when it comes to all of these new opportunities, it’s important to make sure that we are dressed appropriately.
When dressing for a professional atmosphere, you should wear business casual attire. This means that you are dressed professionally without being too formal.
For the ladies, that includes dress pants, pencil skirts or dresses. If you’ve chosen pants or a skirt, then you should wear a blouse with solid colors or a pattern that isn’t too distracting. Blouses can range in sleeve length, but you should avoid thin tank top straps. For skirts and dresses, make sure that the length sits a few inches above the knee or longer.
For the guys, business casual means dress pants or khakis for bottoms. It’s best to wear a collared shirt, which can be long-sleeved or short-sleeved. Most of the time, there is no need for a jacket and tie, but a sports jacket is a great option if you feel the need to be more formal.
Now that we’ve covered clothes, it’s important to remember that outfits are not finished without shoes. Close-toed heels with a height of 4 inches or less, close-toed flats and booties are acceptable options for women’s shoes. For the guys, it is best to stick with dress shoes like loafers and to avoid sneakers, boat shoes and boots.
As far as jewelry goes, it adds a great finishing touch to an outfit, but make sure that you aren’t wearing any jewelry that would make you seem unprofessional. Pearls, plain gold or silver jewelry and small hoop earrings are always safe options, as well as simple stones like diamonds or crystals.
If you are someone who enjoys wearing makeup, you can do so when dressing business casual as long as you stick to neutral shades.
There is no perfect way to wear your hair when dressing business casual because everyone’s hair is different, so just style your hair however you feel most comfortable.
Most importantly, make sure you feel and look confident, and you will be set up for success!
