How to dress for your office environment

They say dress for the job you want, not the job you have. However, until you land that dream job, it is just as important to dress for the job you have. When I started at my first real office job I was completely unsure of what to wear. Up until that point, my work uniform consisted of a red one-piece bathing suit and whistle for my summer job as a lifeguard. So in true millennial fashion I turned to the internet for answers and learned every industry has a unique office style. While specific companies have their own rules, the general standards for interns are as follows:

Finance Internships
If you are interning in finance, whether it is at an investment firm in Santa Monica or one of downtown Los Angeles’s big four consulting firms, you are going to need to be extremely conservative. Suits are a must-have. Although they are pricey, invest in one or two that are well-fitted and tailored. Colors range from black to gray to brown. Shoes should be understated and comfortable. Go for a close-toed shoe, for girls heels should be no higher than three inches — No high heels or flip flops. Ultimately, the goal is to look put together yet understated.   

PR/Marketing/Editorial
While this includes a broad range of jobs, the office environment of each is something I call “business fashionable.” Unlike finance there is more freedom to embrace personal style. However, it is still important to recognize that office wear is meant to be conservative. This means tailored pants, sleeved blouses and dresses that don’t come much higher than the knee. Accessorizing is a great way to show off personal taste with statement jewelry or cute booties.

Hollywood
The spectrum of jobs in Hollywood is extremely broad and for this reason I have included two outfit ideas. The first is applicable to an intern at a production company or network office. Desk jobs generally fall on the conservative side so stick with neutral colors and avoid flashy accessories.  The second outfit idea is for those that will be working in a writer’s room or on set. Both types of Hollywood jobs allow for much more casual outfits than finance jobs however it is important to still look polished. A quality blouse with jeans and flats is the perfect look for all day comfort.

 

Technology
The tech world is notoriously stereotyped for its affinity for hoodies, jeans and sneakers. Yet to fall into this fashion nightmare would be doing yourself an incredible disservice. Although you might be  interning at a l startup with a casual atmosphere, it is important to put together outfits that make you look professional. Chambray shirts are a perfect conservative yet casual piece to pull an outfit together.