<p>My daughter is a junior and will be attending an engineering career expo in search of an internship. She asked me for advice as to what to wear. The website suggests “business attire.” It says that many students wear suits, but they are not required.</p>
<p>She is 5’2", blonde, and looks very young. I"m not sure what advice to give her. Pants? Skirt? She wants to make a good first impression. Any help would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Ideally, she should wear a suit. Preferably with a knee-length skirt. Failing that, pants or a skirt plus a coordinating jacket with shell or suitable blouse underneath would work.</p>
<p>It is true that she may NEVER be this dressy in the actual workplace. But showing that you understand the conventions in an interview is always a good idea. Especially if you are 5’2" and young-looking.</p>
<p>suit is best, or blazer and dark dress trousers or skirt. Conservative knit shell is as good as a collared shirt. And maybe a little attention to hair and make-up looking like someone older… I don’t know your D, and not that I’m big on that, but my 25 year old can pass for 15 in her casual state. Business like hair and a little subdued make-up, esp a not-glaring lipstick and tidy but not noticable nails. If you have a tatoo, make double sure that it won’t show in whatever you are wearing!!! Many young women don’t get the distinction between dressing up for work and dressing up socially… so they show up in too low of tops, too short of skirts, too fancy of fabrics. H has had to have a female lead talk to some of the young employees (no way he was going to do it!)</p>
<p>Ooooh, just thought of a good alternative: a black skirt with just enough of a flare or A-line that it settles gently around her knees when she sits, as opposed to a suit’s slim-fit skirt that will make her have to fuss and worry about whether it’s riding up and seeming too short.
The less she has to worry about her clothes, the better the interview will be.</p>
<p>When my D was a senior in college and had an interview for an internship for the summer in NYC, she got a black blazer on sale at J Crew and black dress pants to go with it and a button down blouse. She got the job, though usually did not wear anything quite that nice to it. But those pieces can be used for the future even as separates as nice black pants are nice to own and the jacket could be used as a dressier jacket with something else.</p>
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<p>I agree. She has trouble finding clothes to fit, as she is short and weighs 98 pounds. Things sometimes “swim” on her. She doesn’t want to look like a kid playing dress up.</p>
<p>She also wants to project a strong image, so she asked me if pants were a better choice. Then she worried that pants might not be considered “proper enough” for an interview. I really have no (recent) experience with this and thought the CC crowd would have some good advice. </p>
<p>She recently cut her below-the-shoulder hair into a more sophisticated bob, and that helps make her look a little bit older. She wears some makeup and that helps, too. She still has a very youthful appearance, so she wants to do everything she can to maximize looking professional. </p>
<p>If anyone has any good resources for petite business clothes, please let me know. I talked to my sister last night and she suggested Banana Republic. I looked online. Wow. Kind of pricey, but if it helps get her an internship, it will be worth it.</p>
<p>Look for a Banana Republic outlet near one of you…we have one near me and I have found some great deals for my daughter. (she is also 5’1" and looks young) You could also try Ann Taylor Petites where we have also had some success. </p>
<p>My daughter has worn both slacks and skirts for interviews…it just depends which you look more put-together wearing. Tell her not to worry too much about looking young…as long as she carries herself properly and presents herself as confident and able she’ll do fine!
Good luck to her!</p>
<p>Yes, Ann Taylor Petites would be excellent. They’re expensive, but very well-made, and worth the investment. If there’s an Ann Taylor Loft near you, they have less expensive clothes, although you’ll find more in the way of professional pieces at the regular stores. </p>
<p>Pants are fine, particularly if she’s wearing a sophisticated blouse, a good jacket, and some discreet jewelry. Medium-height heels would also help, since she’s on the short side, to make her look and feel taller.</p>
<p>Suit.</p>
<p>For young women unfamiliar with wearing suits, I suggest one with pants (so she doesn’t have to worry about the position of her legs or about her skirt riding up), with a sleeveless shell or short-sleeved sweater under it (so that she doesn’t have to worry about whether her blouse collar and suit lapels are arranged properly).</p>
<p>This is exactly what my daughter wears for her job fairs and interviews.</p>
<p>Your daughter could try the petite department at Macy’s, if there’s one in your area. Suits are often on sale there, but I don’t know how good the selection is in petites (my daughter wears misses sizes). </p>
<p>Petite or otherwise, a young woman needs to remember that the pants on a suit might have to be shortened. Therefore, she shouldn’t leave suit shopping to the last minute.</p>
<p>I think she is wise to dress and groom as a “young adult,” as that indicates that she understands the game she is playing! But I would not worry too much if she still looks “young.” The interviewers will know exactly how old she is. If she has a high, wispy voice, she can practice modulating her voice a bit to sound more mature. Nothing extreme; I learned early that I am taken more seriously if I speak slowly and in the lower part of my register. And absolutely avoid up-speak! You know: “Hi, my name is Amy? Last year I worked in a lab?..”</p>
<p>Our son has had 3 engineering internships, and I happened to be on campus during on campus interviews for graduating law school students and another business recruiting session. It is my impression that a young woman would be well advised to wear a skirted suit for law, banking, and business and that a well-fitting suit with pants is perfectly fine for engineering.</p>
<p>Does she have classic jewelry to pull out? Pearl necklace, diamond studs, nice watch?</p>
<p>^^^ simple, modest earrings of any kind (nothing cutesy) are fine, IMO. A simple watch (if she wears one) and classic earrings are great.</p>
<p>These are all great tips! Thank you so much. I know that whatever she buys, chances are she will need to have alterations, so she needs to get going on this. </p>
<p>I will check out Ann Taylor Petites. We have a Macy’s near us, but I haven’t seen 0 or 00 sizes there. (Bummer, because their prices are more in my price range.) She has no classic jewelry, so she’ll just have to make do.</p>
<p>If you can think of any other tips or helpful hints, please let me know.</p>
<p>In this economy many of these stores are having great sales if you take the time to watch. In the case of Banana Republic get on their Email list. It seems like I am constantly getting emails from them and from the Gap about percent off sales and free shipping.
Also if alterations beyond hemming will need to be done it can add up. Some stores provide free alterations. You might pay more but save on the alterations.</p>
<p>HI, Our D ( now sophomore) just completed a summer internship at the a prestigious art musueum where the dress code was defined as business casual. I laughed and then almost cried, knowing that my fashionably funky daughter and business casual were the living example of an oxymoron. I found a great article on business casual for teens/college students and we began by shopping online on nordstroms. She chose an updated version of a sleeveless chemise but in a sapphire blue and wore it at least one a week-+ special events. Then we made visits to Banana Republic, JCrew, White HouseBlack Market and their online stores for all of their sales. My daughter found that several of her intern class wore the “JCrew” type camisoles - e.g. dressy-with detailing, etc. with a well tailored pant or skirt and added a cardigan or jacket based upon the situation. Here is the article I found for our DD: (oddly it references drinking Red Bull and taking Adderall-see other posts)-<a href=“Campus Casual to Business Casual | Jobs and Internships for College Students on CBCampus.com”>A couple of ways to make your job search easier | Jobs and Internships for College Students on CBCampus.com. Hope these suggestions help. Good luck!</p>
<p>Aside from a suit, these dresses may look good on your daughter, especially if she is petite. These dresses are very professional looking, especially if she wears a pair of pumps, simple handbag. Stay away from any personal jewelry (a heart shaped necklace from a boyfriend), classic watch, and no hoop earrings. I went shopping with my daughter this summer for work clothes. She really hated any suit because she felt like she was playing dressups. We ended up getting her 2 suits (they had some flare, not typical black suits) for visiting clients, and we got her a lot of professional dresses.</p>
<p>[BCBGMAXAZRIA</a> Matte Jersey Wrap Dress - Casual Dresses - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3005264/0~2376776~2374327~6002273~2382051~6010540?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010540&P=1]BCBGMAXAZRIA”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3005264/0~2376776~2374327~6002273~2382051~6010540?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010540&P=1)</p>
<p>[Calvin</a> Klein Crepe Shirtdress - Casual Dresses - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3057607/0~2376776~2374327~6002273~2382051~6010540?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010540&P=2]Calvin”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3057607/0~2376776~2374327~6002273~2382051~6010540?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010540&P=2)</p>
<p>[Calvin</a> Klein Belted Ponte Knit Dress - Casual Dresses - Nordstrom](<a href=“http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3032293/0~2376776~2374327~6002273~2382051~6010540?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010540&P=2]Calvin”>http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3032293/0~2376776~2374327~6002273~2382051~6010540?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=6010540&P=2)</p>
<p>I am almost your D’s size, and I buy most of my formal clothing at Ann Taylor Petites. They stock size 0 shirts which fit me well. Their size 2 pants and skirts fit me well but sometimes I need to alter the length. I usually take their size 2 jackets but some may need alterations as well.</p>
<p>I have not found any other brands, Banana Republic, J Crew whose clothes fit me as well as Ann Taylor. Don’t even bother with Macy’s.</p>
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<p>For her 16th bday, D (who, like the young woman in question, is very petite) received a heart-shaped silver Tiffany necklace (not the kind that has “Return to Tiffany’s” on it, just a heart) from one grandparent, and small ruby-and-diamond hoop earrings from the other set of grandparents. These are elegant and classic and scaled to her frame and I see no reason why she couldn’t wear either in a business setting. (I wouldn’t wear both, as they don’t coordinate, but either would be totally appropriate.)</p>
<p>hoop earrings - larger than a quarter size. Small ruby-and-diamond hoop earrings are tasteful.</p>
<p>My personal view is Tiffany silver necklace is for a younger crowd and it also screams Tiffany. I ask D1 not to carry a designer bag when she is interviewing, except under some special circumstance.</p>
<p>Dark closed toe shoes.</p>