By Jordan Koziol and Heather Hawkes
Columnists Dressing in business attire can be a serious struggle. There is a very fine line between conservative and chic, and the trick is to find the right balance between the two. As a young college student, you want to be able to display your youth and freshness, but you don’t want to look like a little girl playing dress-up.
Follow these tips, and you’ll be surprised with how many job offers you get.
1. Size is everything. If you show up in a suit jacket that looks like it’s swallowing you whole or squeezing the life out of you, your discomfort will be evident, and it will be very difficult for an employer to take you seriously. Be sure to try on a suit jacket, skirt or pant before you make your purchase. Your outfit should be loose enough to allow you to move freely, yet fitted enough to still give you some shape.
2. Don’t be afraid to play with color. One of the biggest misconceptions with business attire is that you are limited to only black and gray. A light-blue oxford shirt with a tan or beige pencil skirt and jacket is a great color combination to give your look a little more brightness. You can virtually mix in any color that you want, so long as you’re careful not to stray away from professional. Pastel colors are great for giving just the right touch of chic.
3. Add your own personal touch. We always encourage uniqueness, even when dressing for business events. An outfit should always give a little reflection of who you are, so don’t hesitate to add a tiny bit of yourself through a necklace, ring or even a jewel-accented blouse, as long as it is tasteful.
