Dress for Success

Special for The Chronicle

It’s that time of year again: recruiting season.  Duke students all across campus are buckling down in search of a full-time job, editing their resumes and refining their interview skills. However, given the importance of the ‘first impression, a recruit’s physical appearance may be just as important as any sort of outside preparation. This past Thursday, Monique Turrentine, sector manager at Fuqua’s Career Management Center, came by the International House to give valuable advice on proper attire in varying fields of business.

Here, we list some of the undocumented fashion do’s and don’ts pertaining to the office space, as well as going through standard clothing styles in different industries.

Business professional: Consulting, Financial Services, and Banking

• Suits: These should be dark colored in the following colors: black, navy blue or dark grey. Either the traditional 2-button jacket or the contemporary 3-button jacket is appropriate. Three suits is a suitable amount for interns because it gives him or her the flexibility to rotate them.
• Top: Tailored-fit white or cream-colored shirts are good; women can also wear appropriate blouses. For interns, at least five tops will be sufficient.
• Shoes:  Black shoes should be worn with black suits, whereas dark brown shoes are more fitting with navy or grey suits.
• Accessories: It is important to note that 3-5 accessories, including prescription glasses, is the right . For men, ties, cufflinks, wristwatches and tie clips are essential accessories.For women, earrings, wristwatches, bracelets, necklace are great go-to items.

Business Casual Attire: Healthcare, Marketing, Technology, and other.

• Pants: The appropriate pair of pants is dark or light colored slacks (blue, navy blue, gray, or brown); women may also choose to wear skirts.
• Jacket: Dark or light colored.
• Shirts: Golf style shirts/ Polo shirts.