Let me be your big sister and listen to my tips:
1. Collars are your best friends - you can actually get away without a blazer or coat (who wears that during summer right?) if you can get a decent collared button down. Go for clean plain colored blouses, white is the most flexible and can serve you well in any occasion. If you must buy, buy quality branded clothing because you'll be using this before and after you get hired - hopefully.
Stay away from trendy, weird, and overwhelming tops. Think classic, neat, and clean.
2. Black pants and skirt - again as flexible as white and the two are so great together. Whether you take your own car or commute to your interview, you don't have to worry if your pants got dirty with dust - it's not obvious when it's black!
Ditch your skirts from high school that make you look too young and not ready for some real office responsibility. Go for cuts that are clean and sharp, with the right length to avoid looking lousy.
3. Eyeglasses - if you must wear eyeglasses, make sure you've cleaned them and are the right frames for your face. Check out the Warby Parker website to get an idea of how to wear your glasses smart. Never leave home without your glasses or you can opt for a fresher look with contact lenses. They help you look wide awake and refreshed!
4. High heels - there is no other way but up, you have to have black pumps if you want to be sitting pretty inside your own office space. They are painful to walk in (I know) but bag them and slip in your killer high heels for an instant confidence boost. This helps you appear taller obviously and walk in good posture.
Many newly grads I see on the street nowadays are obviously newly grads - if you know what I mean. Don't be like them! Have a lot of confidence in the way you dress, walk, talk, and conduct yourself. It is all about packaging yourself and marketing your skills so being shy and lousy won't get you anywhere. Go get them tigers! :)
