If you are starting a new internship this semester, one of the best ways to make a strong impression before showing your work ethic is with a keen sense of style. Although it is obviously important to exude professionalism when you walk into the office, you should not feel obligated to subject yourself to the boredom of stuffy black or beige suits either.
This Fashionista dressed perfectly for her editorial internship at a local magazine. Working in the editorial field typically lends a little more wiggle room for self-expression in style, but it is still wise to fit in with your coworkers to some degree. For instance, if your supervisors stick with traditional collared blouses and solid trousers most of the time, you may want to save your metallic boots and feathered skirt for a different venue. Although fashion icons are often caricatured as cartoonish beings who peacock every day, most designers and editors have a curated sense of style that is not as outlandish as stereotypes or creative editorial spreads may lend you to think. What’s more, is that high-end labels, such as Monse, Thom Browne, and Donna Karan have curated memorable lines built on reconstructing basics with a signature artistic bent. If you peruse the collections of these designers or the street style of fashion editors often enough, you will see how innovative “basic” dressing can be.
While it may not be in the budgets of the typical “CollegeFashionista” to splurge on an off-the-shoulder Monse blouse to differentiate herself, you can use hosiery, a geometric tote bag, or a “Le Smoking” jacket to make your outfit a little more interesting. For now, check out how this Fashionista subtly tweaked her professional outfit to make it more fashion forward. She built her ensemble with a basic color palette but played with platform oxfords to elevate it to a unique level. While the sharp collar from her blouse, peaking from underneath her gray T-shirt dress, kept her look clean and professional, her high socks gave it a playful twist.
