It is hard to exude confidence when you look in the mirror and feel awkward because of how you're dressed. It's also hard to spend the money on a professional wardrobe when you're not making any money. Think of it as an investment.
Throughout college, opportunity pops up and is often times accompanied by the need to look professional.
-Internship Opportunities
-Interviews (medical school, law school, graduate school)
-Presentations (my roommate had to present her senior project to a fairly high ranked official from the US Navy)
-Job Fairs
-Teaching Experiences (if you go this route, they get you in a classroom fast, so be prepared)
These situations are not always few and far in between and even more so, usually the last thing you'd want to worry about is what you're wearing for these, that way you can focus more on the presentation or interview.
It felt odd to have to borrow clothes from my sister and my mom, especially when our individual styles are very distinct. Not having any means to dress professionally, I went into some interviews looking like a 40 year old stuck in the 1980s. Awkward...very awkward. Apparently, there's an awkward stage for every occasion in life and professional wardrobe development is definitely one of them. With every awkward stage comes a few takeaways:
#1: You don't necessarily need a black suit
That doesn't mean you don't need a suit, you just don't need a black one. It's good to refer to classics when you're clueless on developing a professional wardrobe, but I feel that the black suit as a professional piece has been through a cycle of misunderstanding. Many people get one because it's a classic, and it's a classic because many people have one. See the circular argument? I have one. I haven't worn it. I think the blazer still has the tag on it actually. Black doesn't suit everyone, and sometimes it's just not the best option. There are other neutral options out there worth exploring like navy, and charcoal, but if black is your neutral of choice, have at it.
#2: "Professional" doesn't mean "wear high heels"
Contrary to how Victoria's Secret markets their suitings, you don't have to wear 5" platform heels. You don't even have to wear heels. Yes, they look nice, and can elongate a leg line, but professionalism is about being presentable and looking neat. The primary focus should be on your portfolio. The right places will not dismiss you for not wearing heels. Another issue that arises with this situation is the hemming of slacks, if you develop the impression that you will be wearing heels with your slacks instead of flats or lower heels, you end up rendering your slacks mostly unwearable if you do go for lower shoes. Refer back to the shoes you wear more frequently for professional occasions. They don't have to be flats, but they do have to be dress shoes, which, for most of us would mean some kind of heel (small to medium). Keep it smart, nothing overly embellished. For about 3-4 years, my only pair of dress shoes was a pair of square-toed wing tips...I had a very expanded definition of what "basic" meant. For reference, there's no such thing as a "crazy basic."
#3: Pay attention to where you shop.
Getting a black suit blazer from Banana Republic and BCBG are two very different things. Pay attention to the reputation of the shop since it tends to indicate their specialty. I remember a time when Victoria's Secret seemed to focus a little more on their professional line. I bought a few things here and there, but as of late, I find more displays of wearing a suit with just a bra under the blazer, pencil skirts where there's a 6 inch slit in the front, or blazers with full lace backs. VS saw what makes it's money. Maybe it's more to remind you to buy lingerie. More likely, you'll find a functional suit at a place like Banana Republic or J. Crew. It's a better bargain if you don't have the time to experiment with VS suits, or Express. Now, I did have the time to do some experimentation with places, I find that Victoria's Secret makes french cuff blouses that I default on, the cut works for my small frame, they're semi-fitted, but not bulging tight and they actually button all the way up instead of having that awkward gap between the chest and neck. When it comes to suits though, I feel for my first round, I should have invested in J. Crew.
#4 If you're limited in the places that you can shop...
Pay attention to cut. Cut will make or break any clothing item and will determine your tendency to wear said items. You want to look good for an interview, and the presumption with interview clothes is that you don't wear them too often, but that is no reason to settle for a cheaper awkward fitting interview outfit. Oddly enough, there are times when interview clothes may cycle in and out of your regular wardrobe. (Who likes blazers? I like blazers!) Having clothes that are cut well for yourself expand your options and give you something to build on rather than just regulate to the corner of your closet.
#5 Your starting career wardrobe doesn't have to be big anyway...
There's still a fair amount of weight fluctuation that goes on before and after college.
So...What is the recipe for a starting career wardrobe?
1 - suit
1 - coordinating bottom (skirt or pants) that goes with the blazer of your suit
1 - pair of shoes that works with all of the above
2 - 3 coordinating tops that work with all of the above, preferably one being a button down.
and matching socks.
It's small, but it's enough to get you through. When it's small, you need to be more discriminating, and that's a good thing.
