Skintern
Business Attire in the Heat
Yes, it’s a new word for me, and it’s one of which every intern, summer associate and new hire should be aware. The annual arrival of “scantily-clad young women” showing up at Slate’s offices caused one of that company’s employees to coin the word “skintern.”
Blogger Katherine Goldstein describes the women interns as being “clueless about appropriate attire.” Among the big offenses she cites are: clingy dresses that “leave nothing to the imagination”; tops worn without a bra; short-shorts; sheer harem pants; and cleavage exposure that could cause a woman of my age to blush.
Ms. Goldstein provides rock-solid fashion advice to women interns in her blog posting:
Her recommendations, which are consistent with the basic principles of business etiquette, include: nothing see-through; no underwear exposure (or as I like to say, “Underwear should be worn, and it should always be worn under your clothing”; and no excess skin exposure. Goldstein cautions against mini-dresses, mini-skirts, short-shorts, halter tops, half-skirts and bare-backs.
She’s okay with interns wearing shorts to work. (“What else are you supposed to do when its 90 degrees outside?” she writes.) I don’t reject that notion outright. However, an intern should never be the first one to wear shorts into the office. It’s a matter of fitting into the organization’s culture. If supervisors and managers don’t wear shorts into work—and in most professional businesses they will not—interns should buck up.
Goldstein’s posting only refers to women interns, but trust me guys, you want to think about your attire, too. If your women colleagues shouldn’t expose their cleavage, you should be wary of exposing lots of chest hair. And for heaven’s sakes, unless your internship involves lots of time on a boat or beach, please wear socks with your shoes.
What Do You Need to Know?
People notice the clothing you wear to work. Always dress professionally.
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