Internship Outfits For Men. Congratulations on scoring the position. Now it’s time to make sure you impress your peers and superiors with an appropriate internship wardrobe because, you know, first impressions last. But dressing well doesn’t require wearing luxury brands or having a six-figure salary.

In a business environment, someone who doesn’t care about his look might be perceived as a man who doesn’t care about his job, his career, or the people that he works with.

What to Wear to an Internship?

When dressing for an internship, you have to dress smart, which means no baggy clothes as they make you look unprofessional. Your office wear affects your productivity and confidence. Imagine working behind the desk wearing ripped jeans and an old tee or facing your boss wearing a crumpled suit and a lousy tie – it’s awkward and embarrassing.

Your goal here is to fit in, not stand out. If you will choose between a three-piece suit and a white dress shirt and black pants combo, go for the latter, unless your supervisor instructed you otherwise. You are welcome to wear suits and ties, but try not to look too formal as an intern’s day can be pretty hectic. 

Professional Dress Code For Men. Your professional business attire reflects how much you care about your career. In many countries, this means a suit, a dress shirt, and a pair of dress shoes. In most cases, business professional attire means wearing a suit and tie for men. Different companies may have a different interpretation of the business attire, so try to understand your office culture when in doubt – going through a company’s Facebook page and team pictures is a good way to do this.

General Tips

• The Fit. Never wear anything too baggy or too tight. See to it that you will be able to move comfortably behind your desk and walk freely inside the office. Visit the tailor if you must.
• Versatility of Outfits. Your clothes should be timeless and easy to combine with others so you can create multiple looks out of the same items. For instance, the same suit worn with a different combination of shirts and ties can produce different styles. When buying business outfits (with suits included), go for the affordable and multi-purpose ones, which you can wear to weddings and parties alike, and not just at the office.
• The Climate. Fabrics like wool and corduroy in earthy and navy tones are the best for winter and fall, while cotton and linen in bright colors are perfect for summer and spring.
• Nature of Work. According to Fine Young Gentleman, you need to look and act professional, so dress in a manner appropriate to the firm you are interning at.
• Take care of your clothes. The business clothes that you buy today will stay with you for years. Make sure to use extra-wide shoulder hangers for your jackets to prevent damage. Then fold your knitwear, T-shirts, underwear. Give extra effort when folding your knitwear like cardigans and sweaters to preserve the quality of the fabric. Also, make sure that your clothes don’t appear as they are crumpled, so it’s essential to use a flat iron on them. An ironed shirt automatically ups your professionalism by ten points. A steamer works as well.
• Keep your wardrobe organized. You should be able to easily get what you need every morning to look sharp without spending too much time dressing up. If this is too difficult for you, prepare your clothes for the next day before you go to sleep.
• Grooming for an internship. Nails must be trimmed and clean. Visit the barber and go for the business-appropriate hairstyle like “brush-up” or “comb-over.” The beard must be trimmed or shaved. Give your best shot to have the ideal image of an intern. Proper office wear makes you appear smarter, more competent, and more trustworthy.

Don’ts

• Plaids. They are too loud for an intern.
• Pocketsquares. They are too flashy for an intern.
• Peak lapels. They are bold, too formal, and way too aggressive for an intern.
• Strong colognes. As much as you want to smell and feel fresh, accept that not everyone will like your favorite scent.
• Dress shirts for suits. Another layer to your outfit in the summer will add up more heat to your body.
• Suspenders and fancy belts. Your belt color should match your shoes. Try to find a reversible belt (brown on one side, and black on the other) instead of buying two separate belts.
• Piercings. If you have tattoos, make sure they are covered before you enter the office.
• Gingham dress shirts. Opt for solid stripes, instead.
• Loafers. Save them for your dates.

↓ 16 – Business Casual With Jeans

via