<p>S has been accepted to an internship program during the winter, pending a security clearance. He will probably be working at government offices in Washington, DC.</p>
<p>His potential formal work wardrobe is currently limited to a pair of khakis and a navy blazer, although he does have enough suitable shirts and ties to get him through a workweek and a brand new pair of formal black loafers.</p>
<p>Does anyone know what kind of dress is expected of male interns in this kind of situation? Suits? Jackets and slacks? I’m assuming, perhaps erroneously, that such offices are not business casual. The “student guide” is rather vague on the subject of dress, simply using terms like “appropriate.” If we are going to have to help him ramp up his wardrobe, it would be helpful to know in advance!</p>
<p>The kids clearly coming back from DC internships when we visited American were wearing real suits. I’d suggest he call someone at the office about what the dress expectations are.</p>
<p>DC gets nasty weather , Id start with a wool overcoat or other suitable warm jacket ( maybe look at reruns of the West Wing? ) shirtsleeves & ties?</p>
<p>A friend of my daughter interned for a senator in DC and the dress varied depending on the office and their duties. For her office, business casual was fine day to day, but she was expected to wear a suit on specific days (if she gave tours or if she was in meetings with the senator). Other senators required suits everyday.</p>
<p>DC is much more formal than say the west coast, my daughters friends found , )who are attending Georgetown & Columbia ) & were determined to not have to redo their high school wardrobe much from the school where to quote my daughter* Every day, is pajama day* ;)</p>
<p>A student is not expected to have an expansive wardrobe but should have probably one suit and the jacket, shirts and ties and good slacks. The jacket my be in the office a lot, hanging on a hanger “just in case” so something that goes over several options is best. Think blue over khaki or gray options. Many offices still have a casual Friday for business casual but he needs to check the office where he will be working. Business casual is khakis and collared shirts.</p>
<p>Sounds like a couple of pairs of good slacks and a new suit is likely to be in order…his old suit is a horror. Luckily he does have a good classic blue blazer and good shirts and ties.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it seems that he will not receive his actual assignment until late November at the earliest, and quite possibly December–and the job starts in January! Not much time to do research, hunt for bargains, and get alterations made.</p>
<p>Oh you have plenty of time. They do not expect interns have expensive Brook Brothers, get some thing quick and fit is more important. Perhaps Men’s Warehouse is in order.</p>
<p>S has interned in DC, altho not in government offices. To interviews, he’s worn khakis, blazer, shirt & tie. On a daily basis, the blazer stays home. Considering the place he interned over the summer offered him a paid internship for the fall (he goes to school in DC), I’m assuming his dress was appropriate. He doesn’t even own a suit that fits him anymore.</p>
<p>It’s an expected question and not inappropriate in any way.</p>
<p>My daughter has had three Washington internships. </p>
<p>One was business casual.</p>
<p>One was business casual, with jeans allowed on Fridays.</p>
<p>The third was business casual for ordinary days in the office but business formal for meetings and events outside the office – which occurred quite often. </p>
<p>There’s no way she could have known any of this, or shopped appropriately, without asking first.</p>
<p>He’ll definitely ask–when he finds out where he’s going to be. Some branch of the State Department is all he knows now. (And if he’s lucky it could be abroad…)</p>
<p>If it could be abroad, that’s all the more reason to wait until he receives his assignment. Clothing needs could be quite different in different places.</p>
<p>Fortunately, men are easier to fit than women. He can probably get everything in one massive shopping trip and have all the alterations done by the stores.</p>
<p>No, we don’t Pizzagirl, but it was from a great sale of theirs online that I bought his blazer. We do live 20 minutes from the outlets at Freeport, but alas Brooks Bros no longer has an outlet, just a regular store. On the other hand, they do have some great sales, so we’ll be hitting the sales over Thanksgiving.</p>
<p>He now knows where he’s going to be and has a contact name, so he can call and ask.</p>
<p>JC Penney always did well for mine. They carry a younger line that the guys liked when in HS and college. They also run a lot of sales and coupons.</p>
shirtsleeves & ties?</p>
Luckily he does have a good classic blue blazer and good shirts and ties.</p>