Dear Career Advisor:I am final year student and I am a bit excited, as I just got a response from a significantly large company that I have been accepted as an intern for its summer internship programme. The acceptance letter says the dress code is ‘professional’. My understanding is that most of the employees wear business suits, but my budget is limited. What suggestions can you give?Yours truly, MDDear MD:Congratulations on your academic advancement, and for landing your desired internship opportunity. It is good that you have some lead time to begin assembling your professional wardrobe. You do not need expensive clothing, nor do you need to have many items of clothing to be able to present yourself professionally. Below are some tips on how to build a professional wardrobe and how to dress for professional success.i. Select tailored clothing: It is better to invest in a few high-quality outfits that can be interchanged than in numerous extravagant or poor quality pieces. a. Include in your selection at least one dark-coloured suit.b. Buy simple well-made shirts or blouses, skirts or pants.c. Jackets and blazers, whether as suits or separates, are vital and versatile for mixing and matching.ii. Choose colours, patterns and fabrics wisely. a. Stick to conservative colours for suits (eg, navy blue, grey, and black).b. Cheerful colours can be used to accentuate but should not be gaudy. c. Simple stripes, plaids, and subtle patterns are accepted. d. For outer garments, avoid fabrics with heavy sheen, or those that are very thin.iii. Ensure proper fit: Your clothing should not be too loose or too tight. a. The hem of your trousers should cover your ankle but should not sweep the floor. b. Skirt length should be such that when you sit too much of your thigh is not revealed. c. Blouses should not show cleavage. The sleeves should reach the wrist.iv. Ensure that your clothing is always properly pressed. v. Undergarments should be both covered and concealed. Ladies should consider investing in lined skirts rather than having visible panty lines.vi. Avoid the tattered look: Do not wear clothing that is frayed, tattered or has visible holes.vii. Males should always wear belts with trousers that have loops. Your belt colour should coordinate with your shoe colour. viii. Ties are essential items for men. For a fresh look, vary the tie worn with shirts.ix. Simple conservative hair styles and colours for both men and women are recommended. Your hair should always be well groomed.x. Wear appropriate shoesa. Athletic, flat-soled, and open toe shoes, and flip-flops are not appropriate. Choose pumps or stilettos with medium heels (for women). b. Shoe colour may coordinate with handbag, but not necessarily so.c. Men should wear laced-up or slip-on dress shoes. xi. Limit the number of accessories; for example, no more than one ring on each hand. Tongue and nose piercings are still frowned-on in many organisations, so play it safe and leave them at home.xii. Ensure that neatness and cleanliness are always reflected in your dressing.Your clothing and deportment will be viewed as a reflection of your attitude to the job, therefore plan to characterise your professional presentation with excellence. All the best.Career AdvisorCarolyn Marie Smith is associate vice-president of student services at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester. Submit your questions to her at careeradvisor@ncu.edu.jm.

I am final year student and I am a bit excited, as I just got a response from a significantly large company that I have been accepted as an intern for its summer internship programme. The acceptance letter says the dress code is ‘professional’. My understanding is that most of the employees wear business suits, but my budget is limited. What suggestions can you give?

Yours truly, MD

Dear MD:

Congratulations on your academic advancement, and for landing your desired internship opportunity.

It is good that you have some lead time to begin assembling your professional wardrobe. You do not need expensive clothing, nor do you need to have many items of clothing to be able to present yourself professionally. Below are some tips on how to build a professional wardrobe and how to dress for professional success.

i. Select tailored clothing: It is better to invest in a few high-quality outfits that can be interchanged than in numerous extravagant or poor quality pieces.

a. Include in your selection at least one dark-coloured suit.

b. Buy simple well-made shirts or blouses, skirts or pants.

c. Jackets and blazers, whether as suits or separates, are vital and versatile for mixing and matching.

ii. Choose colours, patterns and fabrics wisely.

a. Stick to conservative colours for suits (eg, navy blue, grey, and black).

b. Cheerful colours can be used to accentuate but should not be gaudy.

c. Simple stripes, plaids, and subtle patterns are accepted.

d. For outer garments, avoid fabrics with heavy sheen, or those that are very thin.

iii. Ensure proper fit: Your clothing should not be too loose or too tight.

a. The hem of your trousers should cover your ankle but should not sweep the floor.

b. Skirt length should be such that when you sit too much of your thigh is not revealed.

c. Blouses should not show cleavage. The sleeves should reach the wrist.

iv. Ensure that your clothing is always properly pressed.

v. Undergarments should be both covered and concealed. Ladies should consider investing in lined skirts rather than having visible panty lines.

vi. Avoid the tattered look: Do not wear clothing that is frayed, tattered or has visible holes.

vii. Males should always wear belts with trousers that have loops. Your belt colour should coordinate with your shoe colour.

viii. Ties are essential items for men. For a fresh look, vary the tie worn with shirts.

ix. Simple conservative hair styles and colours for both men and women are recommended. Your hair should always be well groomed.

x. Wear appropriate shoes

a. Athletic, flat-soled, and open toe shoes, and flip-flops are not appropriate. Choose pumps or stilettos with medium heels (for women).

b. Shoe colour may coordinate with handbag, but not necessarily so.

c. Men should wear laced-up or slip-on dress shoes.

xi. Limit the number of accessories; for example, no more than one ring on each hand. Tongue and nose piercings are still frowned-on in many organisations, so play it safe and leave them at home.

xii. Ensure that neatness and cleanliness are always reflected in your dressing.

Your clothing and deportment will be viewed as a reflection of your attitude to the job, therefore plan to characterise your professional presentation with excellence.

All the best.

Career Advisor

Carolyn Marie Smith is associate vice-president of student services at Northern Caribbean University in Mandeville, Manchester. Submit your questions to her at careeradvisor@ncu.edu.jm.