Female Interns: How to Accessorize?

I'm a girl in her early 20s starting a London-based BB internship soon. For the most part, I've got the dress code figured out, and as an intern I know I won't meet any clients, so I'm not stressing out too much. However, since I don't live in London and don't want to take more than two suitcases there, I need to know what I'm bringing in advance.

While I know that there are much more important things to focus on and that accessories will not make or break my internship, I do have limited luggage space, so it'd be helpful to hear what everyone's take is on accessories for female interns. I would also love it if some of the girls (or guys) on here could share any of their more general wardrobe tips!

Scarves: Hermes ties always come up as something that's a bit crass for male interns - but would a hermes scarf be out of place for a female intern?

Jewelry: I'm assuming that subtle, minimalist jewelry is fine, but how about pearls? Gauche or classy?

Shoes: I have a much-loved collection of heels, but my dad (who works in a similar industry) vetoed virtually every pair except a pair of black ones that have a bit of an "airline hostess" look. I remember there being an article about having to "earn your Louboutins," and while I'm not going to arrive at my internship wearing red-soled stilettos, I don't want to look like I work for BA. I also love loafers, but I don't want to look frumpy... What's the consensus on this?

Bags: I'd sooner die than wear one of those bags, so that's not an issue. That said, I always notice when someone's wearing a designer bag, no matter how subtle the logo is (if there even is one). Would it be better to stick to Longchamp for the time being?

Fur: obviously not going to Cruella Deville it, but are coats with fur on the inside (i.e. more subtle) acceptable? How about hats, scarves and stoles? And yes, I know it's still summer, but I've lived in the UK before and I know I'll need that fur pretty soon.

Watches: mine's a very subtle hand-me-down so I'm not concerned, but since there's so much talk of men's watches, it'd be interesting to hear what's acceptable and what isn't for the ladies.

 

Thanks for the feedback.

Where I live now (continental EU), scarves are a staple for women in the office, and usually I wouldn't give them (or any of this) a second thought. However, the last time I lived in the UK I got called eurotrash a couple of times, and while it was pretty funny back then, I don't want to have that kind of reputation in the office... hence my being extra-cautious.

As for pearls, I don't consider them gauche in general - on the contrary. However, I am scared that an intern wearing them might come off as a bit pretentious or snooty, since they're often associated with middle-aged/older women. Thoughts?

 
Best Response

Hey, I am not sure for BB necessarily but I doubt it changes much between industries anyway (not talking about BB vs coal mining obviously, I mean BB vs consulting for example).

Fur is definitely a no-no, in the extremely rare case it does look classy then it becomes an option but best to avoid it until you have been there a while and feel as though you could pull it off.

Jewellery, I would not recommend pearls, they do seem a bit old fashion, some people can pull them off when they are young but again, I would avoid them. Keep it classy, don´t go in with a nose piercing, 5 earrings and 6 rings, that is just ridiculous, in my opinion a couple of nice rings, a neckless and subtle earrings would do the job, don´t go for those big gold dangly earrings, they look cheap and tacky.

I could go on, but to be honest it´s very simple: dress classy, don´t wear 8 inch heels, don´t wear a tonne of makeup, don´t wear a mini-skirt (as nice as they are, they are not work appropriate..)...

If you want more detailed advice just send me a message, I happen to know quite a bit about women brands and I have a few female friends working in London.

Hope that helps a bit, as I said, just message me if you would like more info.

 

I think pearl earrings are fine, maybe not a pearl necklace. A girl in my office wears fur, but she is very fashion forward and can pull it off. I pretty much only wear Theory or Zara seperates, Jimmy Choos or Ferragamos, and usually carry a simple beige Prada bag or a black Celine tote (fits my laptop!)

When I was an intern I mostly wore Tory Burch shoes and carried a large Longchamp.

I don't wear jewelery, and I've never seen an analyst (let alone an intern) wear a silk scarf - and I'm in London.

 

Only HR or EAs accessorize. Wear a watch if you really require decoration and, as for the watch itself, it doesn't matter. Dudes won't know what the hell it is anyway, nor will they care. They only obsess over Yachtmasters or whatever the fuck because comparing their wrists and giggling = some sick 5-figure game of metaphorical Tetherball to see whose BSD can wrap around the pole the greatest number of times. Just don't wear a Michael Kors watch, because ew.

Jewelry, logo-emblazoned garbage, and shit like SILK SCARVES are just targets for severe eye-rolling or not-so-subtle head shaking should you ever say something dumb or make a mistake. "Of course she fucked up on doing X or making Y... she's too busy mining blood diamonds to put on her fucking ears!" Don't give anyone ammo to validate your ineptitude, and do NOT wear Louboutins, because ew.

If you want a "nice" bag that doesn't scream "look at me, basic B" or "I am 17 years old, look at my Longchamp!!!!!" then get a Tumi brief. Not ugly yet not flashy, doesn't scratch, has lots of pockets (VERY IMPORTANT), and will fit whatever model of mid-Century tank of a laptop you receive. Do not get a Celine Luggage, because, again, ew.

 
  1. Why did you change your username from Bankerella to snatch?

  2. OP -- Nobody gives a shit as long as you don't dress like a slut (as much as many co-workers would enjoy seeing deep cleavage or side-boob), just find clothes that fit, wear conservative colors, don't wear a bunch of bracelets, don't wear shoes where you are effectively standing on your tippy toes all day, and just use common sense. This is not rocket science.

 
DickFuld:

1. Why did you change your username from Bankerella to snatch?

2. OP -- Nobody gives a shit as long as you don't dress like a slut (as much as many co-workers would enjoy seeing deep cleavage or side-boob), just find clothes that fit, wear conservative colors, don't wear a bunch of bracelets, don't wear shoes where you are effectively standing on your tippy toes all day, and just use common sense. This is not rocket science.

+1.

Winners bring a bigger bag than you do. I have a degree in meritocracy.
 

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Winners bring a bigger bag than you do. I have a degree in meritocracy.

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