Building Your Wardrobe for a Summer Internship
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We've had a number of requests for how to build your wardrobe for a summer internship, so ladies, this one's for you! (You also may want to check out our post on affordable office attire!)
{related: guide for summer associates}
Suits. Yes, you will need more than one suit, but not as many as you think. For example, readers asked if they needed 10-15 suits (and we're hoping the person asking if they needed 100 suits either made a typo or was exaggerating). We would say you need about 3-5 suits, to be worn whenever you know for sure you'll be seeing a partner, executive, or other VIP that day. Keep an extra suit in your office if at all possible. Your basic suits should be:
1) Your standard interview suit in black, navy, or gray. Hopefully you took our advice and got it in a seasonless fabric, and you bought a suit that had multiple matching pieces (e.g., a jacket, pants, skirt, and a dress). Get them drycleaned as soon as they begin to smell, or approximately every 4-5 wearings.
As of 2025, some of our favorite mid-range suits for women (which sometimes have such frequent sales that they come down to the same range as our “budget” suits) include Ann Taylor, J.Crew, Talbots, Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, and Antonio Melani. (Talbots and J.Crew usually have plus sizes, and the others offer petites.)
2) As many other suits that your budget can afford that are like your interview suit, but in other colors — these suits will last you for several years, so it's well worth it to invest $500-$1000 in suiting. If you can't afford suits as nice as your interview suit, check out sales as well as:
- outlet stores — Filene's, TJ Maxx, Nordstrom's Rack — all frequently have suits available for anywhere from $60-$200. These will typically be suit sets (not mix-and-match pieces the way Theory or J.Crew are) and will be in polyester blends. Try to get the most conservative suit they have that fits you well in sedate colors (black, navy, beige, gray). Watch out for details that date the suit, like puffed sleeves, Peter Pan collars, and ruffled skirts
- large department stores — Macy's has a huge suit selection, for example, with tons of Tahari suits available for under $150
- outlet malls, like Woodbury (in upstate New York) or Leesburg (outside D.C.) — they frequently will have outlet stores of Banana Republic, Kasper, Tahari and Brooks Brothers, as well as larger department store outlets (like Barney's and Off Fifth) that will have discounted suits.
- mall stores, like Express, Limited, Victoria Secrets — they will have lower-quality suits that should at least last you a summer, although the fabrics might not wear well during the summer
- We would advise avoiding eBay and consignment stores unless you know exactly what you're looking for.
Some of our favorite budget-friendly interview suits for women include stores like Banana Republic Factory*†, J.Crew Factory*†, Mango*, and Express†, as well as widely available brands like Anne Klein Executive, Vince Camuto*, Calvin Klein*†, and Tahari ASL. For a vintage vibe, check Amazon seller Marycrafts*. (* = some plus sizes also, † = petites)
{related: our favorite low-cost clothing basics}
Other pieces. Now that you've got your suits, we would advise getting a few other pieces to wear as separates throughout the summer. This may sound weird (and please debate in comments!) but we would advise buying other separates — intended by the retailers as separates — for everything by below because fabrics and colors are often hard to match.
For example, a pair of gray Gap pants and a black jersey sweater blazer look fine together — but a pair of gray suit pants worn with a black suit jacket just looks like you're trying to mix things that don't match. This may seem like a boring list, but it's intended to be a skeletal one — your personality and tastes should fill in the rest of the picture; these are just the building blocks to get you started. Our list of these basic separates:
- 2-3 pairs of nice trousers (not too tight, not too loose; they can be as simple as Gap or Old Navy as long as they fit well)
Some of our favorite summer work pants for women as of 2024 include options from Nic + Zoe, M.M.LaFleur, Ministry of Supply, Uniqlo — and Banana Republic Factory sometimes has pants in their AirStretch line, also!
- at least one pencil skirt in a basic color like black or gray
Some of our favorite work skirts of 2025 include classic pencil skirts like those from J.Crew,* Ann Taylor, Black Halo, Calvin Klein, Theory, and this Amazon seller); if you want one with a slight flare check out this Anthropologie skirt. (Also: readers love these slip shorts for comfort with bare legs!)
- 5-10 nice tops to wear beneath suits or on top of trousers in flattering colors — again, they don't have to be fancy, but they have to fit well and look nice (not washed out). If you want to be very efficient here, buy tops in the same color range as your suits — for example, if you've got a black suit and gray trousers, buy t-shirts in cool colors (blue, purple, green) to compliment those accessories.
- a black fitted blazer (look for one in a stretch cotton or jersey for versatility — keep it at the office to throw on in emergencies)
Some of the best blazers for women in 2025 — great for wearing as separates! — include options from Cinq à Sept, J.Crew (collarless and collared), Everlane, and Madewell. Hunting for a deal? Check out J.Crew Factory and Amazon (Cicy Bell, The Drop).
- a neutral sheath dress in a flattering shape
Some of the best dresses for work as of 2025 include options from J.Crew, BOSS, T. Tahari, and Lands' End. For really affordable options, check out Quince and Amazon sellers Miusol or MUXXN (both with vintage vibes). We've also rounded up the best plus-size dresses for work!
- Another cardigan or sweater blazer, possibly, in black or white:
Some of our favorite sweater jackets for the office as of 2025 include M.M.LaFleur (the OG, the jardigan!), L'Agence, Summersalt, J.Crew, Modern Citizen, and Jenni Kayne. For budget options check J.Crew Factory and Quince.
- at least one twinset in a good fabric (possibly in white so you can wear the sweater beneath brown/beige/gray/navy suits, and wear the cardigan over sheath dresses and trousers). If you look for a twinset that does not have a ribbed, banded bottom, you'll have more options with it.
Accessories. The summer job is really more about avoiding inappropriate accessories than buying fabulous ones — as you go forward in your career you'll want to invest the most heavily in shoes and bags. For the summer, we say that a pair of black leather pumps that you can walk in is really all you NEED.
Hunting for comfortable work heels? We've got a whole guide just for that, but as of 2025 some of our favorites include Marc Fisher LTD, Sam Edelman, M.M.LaFleur, and Cole Haan. On the pricier side, check out Ferragamo, Stuart Weitzman, and Sarah Flint. For comfort-first styles, look to Vionic, Sofft, and Naturalizer.
Of course, polished, comfortable flats are always an option!
Some of our favorite comfortable flats for work as of 2025 include AGL, M.M.LaFleur, Vivaia, and French Sole. On the more affordable side, check out Rothy's, Sam Edelman, and Rockport. We've also rounded up the best loafers for work, and our favorite sneakers for work outfits!
Otherwise, don't wear:
- open-toed shoes
- sandals
- any shoes that look too sexy (heeled gladiators, platforms, etc)
- shoes you can't walk in
- overly blinged-out accessories (e.g., brooches with sequins)
- bracelets
- earrings that noticeably dangle (they should be as close to your earlobe as possible)
- anything that makes sound when you walk down the hallway carrying or wearing it (slingbacks and mules, we're looking at you)
- athletic accessories — sneakers or flipflops are fine if you must for the commute, but the second you get inside you should change to work shoes — we'd also advise women to avoid backpacks and other gym bags. If you don't have something, check out our recent suggestions for good bags.
Hunting for a great professional purse? In 2024, readers are loving affordable crossbody bags like those from Cuyana, Lo & Sons, and Madewell.
In terms of a designer bag to suit your life as a professional, readers have been loving affordable(ish) luxury brands like Polène, Tory Burch, Strathberry, DeMellier, and Mansur Gavriel, as well as more designer bags like Chloé (particularly the Marcie line) and Mulberry. (If money is no object, Loewe and Bottega Venetta are always worth a look!)
These seem, to us, the bare basics for a working wardrobe. A final piece of advice — never walk in the hall with your arms uncovered — wear your suit jacket, sweater, or fitted blazer.
Readers, what say you? What are your best tips for building a wardrobe for a summer internship?
Hey, all. I worked at a large NJ firm and was told that the firm was business casual. It was, but everyone showed up on the first day in a suit! We all quickly downgraded according to what we saw about.
The only time it was expected for us to weat a suit was when we met a judge or important clients – which is a good rule of thumb.
the guy that wrote this obviously can’t dress. you don’t want a black blazer as your all purpose blazer, you want a NAVY one. it matches everything and looks respectable with any outfit: brown shoes or black, grey pants or khaki or even jeans, and almost any color shirt underneath. black on the other hand only goes with black and looks morbid anyway. this is obviously advice for guys only.
Other things to remember, since summers will be working with high-strung people –
Avoid strong perfume.
Iron your clothes, even if you think they don’t need it.
My personal pet peeve – don’t chew gum. If you do, keep your mouth closed and don’t snap it.
Limit the personal phone calls (!!!)
Maybe Corporette could do a post on appropriate behavior. For some summers, this is their first-ever job and it really shows.
Anonymous on April 7, 2009 at 10:13 pm – fishnets?? Maybe this is one of those east/west coast things, but the professionals who wear fishnets usually are working on Santa Monica Blvd
this is obviously advice for guys only.
gs, this blog is fashion advice for women. Check the title at the top.
I am in Boston and at all the firms (big, small) it is perfectly fine to wear open toed shoes in the summer. I think it is also fine to walk the halls in your top as long as it has some sleeves (eg not sleeveless).
I think the general rule here is good: wear a suit the first day, and then assess. I’m a seventh year associate at a Texas firm, and the formality varies by practice group, by floor, and even by partner. There are partners here who probably have a minor coronary when they see my bare legs. They would ban peep-toes if they could! Unless you wear a navy skirt suit w/ hose and white shirt everyday, you’ll offend them!
So, since you can’t please everyone, try to please most. I think the key is to not stand out in a bad way — absolutely no cleavage (I can’t believe I have to say that, but we had to talk to someone last summer), no flip-flops, etc. If, god forbid, someone talks to you about your clothes, ditch the offenders! Cleavage-girl last summer got talked to about her shirts and her really-short suit skirts. She responded that it was too late, as she’d already bought her summer wardrobe and had it tailored!
But you can still have fun. I love pretty printed Ann Taylor skirts with matching twinsets (or a cute matching jacket), I wear colored blazers with black pants (even to court), and you can pry my peep-toed Cole Haan Nike Air pumps out of my cold dead hands!!
Also, you don’t have to spend a ton. No one expects a 25 year old student to be decked out in Armani or otherwise dripping with labels (most partners don’t do that, so you’d look a little odd). I had one “really nice” J Crew suit when I clerked and a few Ann Taylor suits.
Bottom line, I doubt clothes would be the sole reason to no offer someone. We want people who can produce great work. Cleavage-girl had some other idiot judgment moves and her work was sloppy.
On sheath dresses: Is it OK to wear a conservative cut in a basic, but bold color? (Like blue or red?) This is for a CA business-casual firm.
On bathing suits: Yeah… what the heck should we do about that? Am sure there will be boating or beach expeditions….
Does all this still apply for judicial interns/clerks? I interned for the PD in the same courthouse that I’ll be working in when I was in college, and I don’t remember anything about anyone in the court besides the lawyers & judge. I should add that its a smaller town and for a probate, domestic relations & dependency/neglect docket.
gay guy, junior associate, who works at a top firm in nyc. one of my very good girlfriends likes to wear sleeveless shirts and open toed shoes (and questionably short skirts). it’s not fair, but many of the mid-level and senior associates (particularly females) talk about her. she does good work in an area that’s always busy and short of hands, but people have trouble seeing past a pretty girl in too-little clothing. as a summer in this environment, i’d err on the side of conservative. while i think suits would be overdoing it, i would never wear a t-shirt under a jacket as a woman (collared shirts ALWAYS), and would steer clear of the peep toe (though i do love a good shoe). i agree this may be appropriate for happy hour or after you’ve started at the firm, but this is an extended interview, and in this market, you’re not guaranteed an offer. no reason to give them a reason to ding you.
Does all this still apply for judicial interns/clerks?
Emphatically depends on the judge. On my floor, one judge requires his clerks to wear suits every day, several are business casual to varying degrees of casual, and some don’t mind their clerks wearing jeans every day that they won’t actually be in the courtroom. I’d wear a suit on your first day and, afterwards, if your chambers are more casual, I’d make sure you have a jacket at the office to wear when you’re going to be in court.
@ judicial clerk – Thanks!!
I agree with judicial clerk. On the first day, it’s best to assume that your judge is like the partner somebody described above who expects a skirt suit with hose, high necked or collared shirt, and conservative shoes. Even if you learn from previous clerks that the normal dress is more casual, err on the side of conservative and professional at first. It blew my mind the first time I learned that skirt suits are considered more “appropriate” for women by some, but odds are your judge will at least be aware of that convention and will make a first impression of you accordingly, even if he or she does not personally enforce or expect it for every day. My chambers are business professional every day, which means a suit, but I’ve learned that the general idea is just to avoid having your wardrobe choices commented on by the judge. Here that means no hose, pant suits, and some leeway with more fashionable tops and jewelry is fine, but super high heels or anything that just seems “weird” to a 65 year old male judge will be commented on. But every judge is different.
Oh dear God, I hope there are no swimwear outings! I mean I like fashion but this isn’t Miss America. What a minefield for the attractive and less attractive alike.
For any beach outing I’d do my best to have that be the one event I miss. If it’s unavoidable I’ll be staying dry in my modest tankini and shorts or a skirt.
Do people really expect adult women and men to come to bathing suit events with those outside of their family and friends?
Well, with the way the economy is going many firms have canceled their beach trips – so you may be saved.
otherwise, if you are 24 and hot – then flaunt the hot bikini. Otherwise I would go for flattering and cute but avoid anything that says “Myrtle Beach Spring Break”
The problem with open toed shoes is that they make you look a little less professional. A partner or an established associate at a firm can take this risk, but a summer associate–who is less experienced and probably younger and therefore does not radiate the same professionalism–cannot.
I am a summer associate now in a big southern firm. I have a beautiful pair of Cole Haan peep toe black leather pumps that are really very classy. They have been my go-to pair of shoes to wear at the office because they have Nike Air built into the soles which make them extra comfortable. All I’ve ever gotten is compliments on them. Do you people think this is inappropriate to wear? They really look timeless and classic.
April: I have the same shoes and agree they are fabulous. I wouldn’t wear peep toe shoes as a summer in the south, but I do as a junior associate on the west coast because our office is more casual. I’d save them for the cocktail hours, dinners at attorneys’ houses, etc. That said, it all depends on the firm. I cared less about what the other women thought and more about what the 60 year old male partner would think at my wardrobe choices as a summer associate (and the best you can do there is hope they don’t notice anything that would offend them). Good luck, and long live nike air cole haans!
I’m starting as a summer associate at an east coast firm next week and I’m concerned about what to wear the first day. The dress code is business casual (all year), but I know summers tend to dress more conservatively, at least the first day. Does anyone have any advice on whether I should stick to a plain black or navy suit for the first day, or can I go outside that strict conservative box (I have a beautiful beige and black (checkered-like), professional suit dress with a jacket that I would like to wear)
I am starting as a summer associate at an east coast law firm next week and I am concerned about what to wear the first day. The dress code is business casual (year round). I know that summers often dress more conservatively, at least the first day, but I was wondering if I really need to stick to the black or navy suit, or can I step outside of that conservative box a little? I have a beautiful beige and black (checkered-like) suit dress, with a jacket, that I would like to wear, but I don’t want to stick out like a sore thumb. Anyone have any advice? Thanks!
This post makes me not even want to be in the legal profession. Wtf is wrong with everyone. I can’t wear f-ing dangling earrings. F that.
I completely disagree. Yes, wear a standard suit for your interview, for your first few days in the office, and for important meetings. But during regular office hours — I think that women should use their judgment and wear whatever they want, as long as they feel comfortable and professional in it. This doesn’t include wearing outlandish attire, but I think that the suggestions above are too much. If women never wear basic items, such as something sleeveless on a scorching day when the AC is inadequate, or dangling earrings — the profession will NEVER CHANGE.
I highly recommend that women –and all aspiring attorneys for that matter– prove their value through their PERFORMANCE rather than their appearance. What you wear to work, particularly when you are working 60-90 hour weeks, consumes your life. You should dress in a manner that is appropriate, and not offensive, but preserves your personality.
I was a summer at a FL firm last year whose dress code is “business casual” all year. That being said, it was pretty formal business casual – if you wore a suit every day, perhaps with less formal shirts, you fit in fine.
In any case, I’d add to the list at least one fabulous black or grey tailored dress – think Audrey Hepburn: boat neck or something not too low, fitted at the waits, and pencil-skirt shaped bottom half. So useful! Plus, nice if you’re going out to cocktails after work because you can take off the jacket or sweater you wore over it.
Also, I wore a lot of black separates or other neutrals, with a pop of fun or color on one or two pieces – a necklace and shoe, a cardigan, a fabulous sweater, etc.
Hope this helps!
I’ve lived in the D.C. area for a while now but will be working at a law firm in D.C. for the first time this summer. I’ve heard that the dress is a bit more conservative here than in other legal markets. Also, my firm’s dress policy is generally business professional.
Since I will be wearing a blazer every day, I would like to mix it up a bit. Would it be too much to wear a pop of color (say, blue, red, or darker pink blazer) with a conservative bottom like a black sheath dress or gray skirt? Or should I just save these for social occasions?
JB
JB –
I’m a 3L at a DC law school. I’ve not worked for a firm here, but would say stay away from pink as a general rule (DC lawyers feel free to disagree, obviously).
Good luck!
re Accessories: “anything that makes sound when you walk down the hallway carrying or wearing it (slingbacks and mules, we’re looking at you)”
I was told that I was criticized at a partners’ meeting because “they” weren’t clanging as I walked down the hall.
It was over 30 years ago, but, c’mon guys!
I am doing a summer internship and all of this advice was very helpful! My only concern is over wearing pantyhose. Are pantyhose really necessary? I guess I am just dreading wearing the pantyhose since I am a young law student and it will be hot during the summer months! Also what colors/kinds of pantyhose should I wear?
Also is it permissible to wear ballet flats instead of pumps everyday? I don’t think my feet will be able to take the torture of high heels all day.