Summer Internship Clothes

This past Spring semester ‘08 through this summer, I scored an awesome internship with America Online. After the interview and accepting the offer, I have to admit, the first thing that went through my mind was the burning question, “What am I going to wear to my new job!?”. To be honest, I had no clue and went to the mall every spare second I had to get some ideas and of course, get some new clothes for the corporate environment. 

There are lots of different internship positions, and since mine had to do with the technology department, my new manager actually told me to “just wear t-shirts and jeans” because there is no dress code and “we want our employees to be comfortable when working”. Well… as fun and comfy as jeans and t-shirts sound, I was not thrilled with his answer for one reason: I knew I would be meeting tons of different people and first impressions matter the most. I did not want to meet a potential manager, co-worker, or network friend wearing just t-shirts and jeans! 

After walking around the building where I would be interning for the next 7 months, I got some ideas on how to dress. Since this is the summer however, these tips/pictures will be geared towards what to wear to a Summer internship.

 

1) You cannot go wrong with colorful Bermuda shorts. I picked up a Khaki and Blue Bermuda short at Nordstrom a few weeks ago. The material is super soft and they are very comfortable to wear. If you are running around the office or lifting items, then shorts are the way to go!

2) Cute solid cotton short-sleeve shirts. Finding solid cotton shirts are easy because they are basic essentials! You can find these types of shirts at Target, Wal-Mart, The Limited, Kohls, Macys, The Gap, and Old Navy. The great thing about solid shirts is that you can add your own accessories, such as earrings and necklaces, to make the shirt look interesting. Moreover, adding a cute cropped jacket can also add interest to your outfit. 

3) Sun-Dresses are a must! For an easy go-to outfit, slip on a cute sun-dress with some interesting sandals and head out the door in no time! I like this one from American Eagle.     

 

4) Cardigan Sweaters to keep the chill away. Even though it may be Summer, inside my office building the AC is always on full blast. Thus, having a nice cardigan sweater is a must so one does not freeze. Target and The Gap always has nice cardigans on-sale, so check out what they have. 

5) No-More Flip-Flops! Flip Flops are great for the beach and when you’re with your friends, but they aren’t so great when you’re in an professional working environment. Instead, opt for cute ballet flats or gladiator sandals. I recently purchased these Steve Madden flats and are a staple in my summer internship wardrobe. 

6) Low-Mid Heels. Repeat: No Stilettos. Heels are a great option if you have more of a “professional” internship, such as working at a magazine or financial company. Slingback heels are also fun choice for a Summer internship or professional Summer job. Remember this rule of thumb when checking out heels: If you cannot walk properly in the heels, they are too high for you; one should be able to walk normally in heels without tripping or walking slower than usual. Check these out from Macy’s.