The Girl's Guide
Issue 86: Interning in Style
Welcome back to The Girl’s Guide! If you missed the last issue, find it here. This post is too long to fit in email so click over to browser view to read the whole thing!
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Intern Advice: Style Edition
In the last issue, I shared some general advice for interns. In today’s issue, I’m sharing what readers wish they had known about style and dress codes before their first internships! Thank you to everyone who sent in their advice, even if I couldn’t fit it in the newsletter.
YOUR ADVICE
“Do nice sandals fall under business professional? In my experience, the answer was “NO”! Which astounded me. Some places may be a little more flexible, but assume that business professional does not include formal sandals, no matter how cute! I guess there's something about (even pedicured) toes that simply isn't professional enough. I came to DC with a bunch of sandals and couldn't wear any for my internship.” - Alexa Secrest
“Don’t even try to commute in heels! Sneakers in the colder weather and Birkenstocks in the summer! Highly recommend investing in ‘work heels’ and ‘fun heels’ and just having your work shoes live under your desk. I have plain pumps that I don’t usually reach for at home that I keep at work and it saves me lugging them to and from every day. If I know I need them over the weekend I’ll just bring them home on Friday evening. Then you don’t necessarily have to sacrifice style at the office for a pain free commute.” - Clara Johsens
“I used to dress so badly as an intern! I had a women’s magazine internship in NYC and dressed like I had a finance job. Also this may be a hot take but do not wear flats. Maybe 10 percent of the time they’ll work with a really good outfit. But most of the time they’re paired with a skirt or skinny dress pants and they look so dated! Go at least for a mule or short block heel instead. Loafers don’t count.” - Madeline Schultz
“Business attire does not have to mean a shirt and work pants anymore! You can be fashionable and appropriate for work! Also, good comfortable shoes, interns are always going somewhere.” - Emily Long
“[I wish I knew] how judgmental people in DC are about attire. It’s brutal. First and foremost, I say wear whatever you’re most comfortable in/feel your best in—whatever’s best for your particular situation. No one knows your particular situation. E.g., post-pandemic, I no longer wear heels because of an injury. Don’t mind the haters. Otherwise, thrift and look for sales on dress clothes you love. The pandemic really elevated women’s clothing and made it more transitional — you can go from work right into yoga class, which I love.” - Carolyn Bolton
“When it comes to fashion, I would say don't stand out. If you are an intern, no one should notice your outfit except to notice that you are put together. It’s the worst when interns wear outlandish things and embarrass their employer or look inappropriate. An easy staple is a fitted black dress (NOT bodycon) and a good black blazer.” - Mary Margaret Olohan
“In my opinion, it’s easier to wear a dress than a skirt/top. Less decisions, easier movement, less adjustments — prioritize wearing and buying dresses over skirts.” - Patricia Patnode
“Young women in internships should always cover their shoulders (can have bare arms but shoulders should be covered), skirts should be within an inch of knee, toes covered and clothes should not be tight. If there are any horizontal lines — it’s too tight for work. No one can/wants to tell young women how they should dress anymore — but these ‘rules’ are important for professional success” - Liz Bowman
“As much as you might want cute high heels, a solid and affordable pair of nude and pair of black 2-inch pumps are what you need (especially with commuting). Your feet will thank you.” - Tori Smith
“There’s so much wiggle room in what works and you can show your personality! I have good staples for each season and I like to accessorize them in different ways to make a different look.
In the spring and summer, I love to wear florals, and I’ve decided that’s okay for work even if everyone around me is wearing black. I just make sure that I’m not showing too much skin and that I’m wearing a blazer or cardigan and it works for me! What I wear has become a conversation piece too with my coworkers since I dress my own way but I still maintain a level of professionalism in the way I dress.
When I tell you people don’t wear florals or bright colors at the Pentagon, they really don’t wear bright colors. All black and muted tones, but I’m okay with being an Elle Woods because it makes me unique!!” - DOD Contractor
LIGHTNING ROUND
“It really is okay to bring a second pair of shoes for your commute. Oh, and get a big (but classy) purse.” - Juliana Sweeny
“Most church dresses are okay! I thought they had to be Calvin Klein-level business-y.” - Sarah Calvis
“Everyone goes to happy hour in pretty formal work clothes. It’s a weird vibe, but it’s a vibe.” - Alina Clough
“Be more formal than you think you need to be.” - Abby Keene
“Didn’t realize recess on the Hill was literally a free-for-all and still dressed business professional.” - Karly Matthews
“Don't cut your hair to fit in! Long hair, don't care.” - Gabriella Hoffman
“Mid-calf is more flattering than at-the-knee dresses and skirts.” - Patricia Patnode
“High-quality clothes are worth the investment.” - Allie McCandless
“Quality over quantity, but make sure that every piece you have can be worn in multiple outfits.” - Meghan Dillon
The Haps
Black Mirror or Real Life?
For Evie Magazine, I wrote about a Spanish actress who created her own grandchild via assisted reproductive technology YEARS AFTER her own son died. I know that sounds like a science fiction novel — but it’s real life. Read my article here. I also joined Tipping Point with Kara McKinney to discuss this topic — watch here.
Here are more links to what I’m reading lately:
It’s Your Own Fault You’re Being Asked To Tip At Self-Checkouts: Tipping culture is getting out of hand. Only you can stop it, Kylee Griswold writes.
DC Was Doing Quiet Luxury Long Before “Succession”: The “quiet luxury” trend is nothing new in DC, according to The Washingtonian.
I Let AI Take My New LinkedIn Headshot (And The Results Were Hilarious): Alina Clough takes on the AI portrait trend for Evie Magazine.
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