Dress for success
Event
- Career Fair: Business Professional or Business Casual
- Professional Interview: Do your research. If you don’t aren’t sure, the safest route to take is to do business professional for interviews but know that business casual may be fine
- Internships & Job Day-to-Day: Business casual is often the dress code in many offices. Every work environment is different so be sure to observe and inquire about the dress code
General Tips
- Hair: well-groomed hairstyle
- Nails & Makeup: simple and not overdone
- Jewelry & Fragrance: moderate jewelry and mild (or no) fragrance
- Clothes should be tailored, in good condition, wrinkle/lint free
- Piercings & Tattoos: align to company culture or standards
- Your culture, religion, and gender identity might influence your choice of business attire. If permissible, you are encouraged to incorporate those elements into your business wardrobe.
| Business Professional | Business Casual |
|---|---|
| Skirt suit (preferably a dark color), includes knee-length skirt, tailored jacket, and solid (or subtle patterned) blouse/top | Jacket, blouse, cardigan, or conservative top with pants or a knee-length skirt. For sheer blouses, make sure to wear a camisole underneath |
| Pant suit (preferably a dark color), includes tailored pants and jacket | Simple, knee-length dress |
| Two-piece, single-breasted suit (preferably a dark solid color or thin pinstripes) with a dress shirt and white undershirt underneath, and a neutral tie that touches the top of the belt | Collared button up shirt or a collared knit polo shirt |
| Solid (or subtle patterned) blouse or top | Dark pants or khakis |
| Dark, polished shoes and matching socks | Open or close-toed shoes such as flats, boots or small heels (no flip flops or sandals) |
| Closed-toed shoes with no more than 1-2” heels | No jeans, shorts, sundresses, athletic wear or too tight or revealing clothing |
| How to tie a tie | Suggested business attire when you don’t conform to traditional gender norms |
Need professional clothing for an upcoming interview/internship/job?
This is why the SuccessWorks Career Closet exists! They have gently used business professional and business casual clothing available at no cost to you. You may acquire (and keep!) up to 4 items per semester. Stop by SuccessWorks (on the 3rd floor of the University Bookstore) any Monday-Thursday between 10-4pm or call them for an appointment.
Other money saving options: Local consignment shops such as Re-threads, St Vinnie’s, or outlet malls