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What Not to Wear: The Dos and Don'ts of Office Attire
By Mary Dance '08
STAFF WRITER

As Christmas and summer near, albeit ever so slowly, many of us travel home seeking employment, either in the form of a job, or an internship. Some students will be returning to previous employers, but others will begin something new. When applying for or starting a job, sometimes I find that the most taxing obstacle is what to wear. Despite my desire for preparedness, interviews and first days have frequently left me on the floor in a pile of clothing, lamenting, “I HAVE NOTHING TO WEAR.” For such a crisis, there are several solutions.

1. Over, rather than under. Though it goes without saying for most Sweet Briar women, I will reiterate, just in case. It is better to come to an interview dressed more professionally than less – at least by a little. One would never want to show up to a Hollister interview in a suit, but the same goes for jeans. In most cases, it does not hurt to dress slightly more professionally than the employee’s daily wear. For a casual place of employment, khakis, a semi-casual skirt, or something at least slightly professional is a good bet. In an office setting, interviewees will find suits the easiest, but you’ll definitely want to invest in a blazer and/or pantyhose for everyday employees.

2. Know the typical attire and dress code for employees. While this is often easier said than done (save the easies, such as retail stores and restaurants with strict and obvious requirements), there are a few easy ways to find such information. Never be afraid to ask. When setting up an interview or pinning down details for a first day, it is absolutely appropriate to ask the employer such a question. Aim to keep that portion of the conversation to a minimum with a simple question like, “…And what is the typical attire?” No one will fault you for asking. If this is not possible, there are two additional options. The first: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life suggests observing employees’ wear in the lobby of the office or placing yourself in a proximity to the place of employment that allows you to view its employees. Though it may sound a little stalker-style, you don’t have to go about it that way. Secondly, some jobs in large offices will offer new employees an opportunity to come in and meet the staff or take a tour before the ominous first day. If they offer it, then it is one of the best ways to find an answer to your question. Though this, too, would require dressing professionally and appropriately, it gives a little more leeway, as you are not there to work for the day but are merely “swinging by.”

3. Pick out your outfit the night before the morning of your interview/first day. Being late is perhaps one of the fastest ways to make a bad impression, and clothing emergencies have a knack for causing tardiness. Choose what you’re going to wear, try it on to make sure it actually works, iron what needs to be ironed, and go to bed ready.

4. If you question, don’t. This carries over from column #2. If you find yourself questioning whether a shirt is too low, a skirt is too short, a dress too informal, or something just too tight, DON’T WEAR IT. Nothing can earn you an iffy reputation in an office more quickly. While this holds true for employment in general, it could not be more of a golden rule for an interview or a first day.

5. This, however, is not to say that work wear must remain stodgy and boring. One of the most important tenets, in fact, is that it is not at all boring. Find one element of “pop.” From noticeable shoes, to a bag, to jewelry, to detailing on a particular piece of clothing, find something that is not overly loud but stands out. Such a detail not only makes the outfit fun and interesting but also makes you memorable – an extremely important quality, especially in an interview.

Happy job hunting!