While pantsuits are appropriate for taking over Huntsman Hall, sometimes wearing one all day isn’t the most comfortable. Cue the Audrey Hepburn look – an outfit that can easily be transformed between “business formal” and “business casual” while making your professional walk all the more fashionable. And with OCR (that’s On Campus Recruitment) on many upperclassmen’s minds, looking sharp and professional while running (sometimes literally) from classes to interviews is key.
Take notes from Audrey Hepburn’s essentials (basically, the bible of classy dressing).
1. Little black dress: A sleek black dress with a hemline right at the knee and a high neckline is perhaps one of the most versatile pieces for OCR. It’s feminine, classy, and professional – and you can dress it up or down between class and interviews. Don’t forget a black blazer and simple pumps to complete the suit-like appearance.
From left to right: Jersey Knot Dress, $99.99 at Ralph Lauren. Black Swing Dress, 34.99 pounds at Queen of Holloway. Leather Trimmed Black Dress, $98 at Loft.
2. Pantyhose or dress pants: If you’re going with the little black OCR dress, avoid a bare leg when going professional. Pantyhose may seem like a pain, but in the end, it says something about the effort you put into self-preparation, and it keeps your outfit looking conservative and appropriate for the workplace. If you’re opting for pants, you can change up the usual dress slack with a skinnier pant, paired with a collared blouse and ballet flats (a nice change from your blister-inducing heel). It’s better to bustle comfortably while still maintaining your stylish edge; worry-free ensembles allow you to focus entirely on your mission (whether that’s being CEO of a Fortune 500, creating teleportation, taking over the world…you get the gist).
Clockwise from left to right: Black peplum top, $22.80 at Forever21. Red dress pants, $30 at JCPenney. Leopard flats, $128 at Ann Taylor.
3. Subtle accessories: Complete your Audrey-esque ensemble with a subdued statement necklace or a string of pearls. Leave sparkles and flashy pieces at home for a Friday night. You don’t want to dazzle your audience too much! Remember, the purpose of an interview is to convey a point about your intellect and your skillsets, and a highly developed sense of fashion can distract your interviewer, so err on the side of simplicity when in doubt.
From left to right: Marble Nugget Necklace, $9.80 at Forever 21. Stay Classy Bracelet, $38 at Etsy. Multi-Strand Pearls, $7.80 at Forever 21.
Audrey teaches us that “classy” transcends time. In the age of short and skimpy, a higher neckline and lower hemline can still be appreciated – and used again and again to make the best possible professional impression. While Audrey lived in black and white attire, don’t be afraid to add subtle pops of color to take the “blah” out of business. After all, Audrey was the girl who always believed in pink.
-Erica Ligenza
Images courtesy of Flickr, Ralph Lauren, Queen of Holloway, Loft, Etsy, Forever 21