Accessories Interns Can Wear To Maintain Their Style In The Workplace

By Victoria Robertson on June 30, 2015

Working in an office with a strict dress code can be a challenge, especially for those of us that enjoy letting our personal style shine through, even in business wear. But even within the strictest of dress codes, there’s a little bit of wiggle room.

Accessorizing is a great place to let your personal style shine through. Whether it be jewelry, purses, hair accessories or even your watch, any accessory can be emblematic of your style.

So to help those of you that are having trouble combining work and style, here are three accessories interns can wear to maintain their style in the workplace.

1. Jewelry

While some workplaces don’t allow jewelry, if your office does, this is the perfect way to show some personal style while adhering to your work’s dress code.

Many women choose to wear necklaces or earrings that either stand out or complement their outfit tastefully. While statement necklaces are very much in, make sure they aren’t too loud for a business environment; instead, simple pendant necklaces are a fashionable, yet tasteful alternative.

Also, stay away from large, dangling earrings as well as studs that might be seen as childish. Instead, go for pieces that are unique, but don’t seem juvenile. For instance, rather than that green four leaf clover stud you got in high school, pick out similar studs in more universal gold or silver options, allowing you to share a little personality while also toning it back to fit your current environment.

Another perfect jewelry item to use to stand out in the workplace are bracelets, more specifically Pandora bracelets. These are very mild statement pieces, as they look professional in the sterling silver, but the charms allow you to personalize and reveal your own interests in a quiet way, perfect for a work environment.

2. Hair

As we get older, hair accessories become less and less frequently used. However, this isn’t to say that they can’t ever be used. While many hair accessories can be deemed unprofessional, there are some alternatives as well as some hairstyles to help you stay stylish while maintaining a professional look.

Hair accessories that may be used in the workplace include: bobby pins, hair clips, headbands and even ribbon (if used correctly).

Using bobby pins or hair clips are simple ways to look professional and still keep your uniqueness about you; pinning your hair back looks less lazy than a ponytail, and yet it’s still a quick and easy way to stand out and look ready for work.

Headbands have this same affect: there are so many different colored/patterned headbands out there that this is such an easy way to evoke your style as well as to maintain a professional look.

While you probably shouldn’t tie your hair back with a bow, ribbon is another alternative that can be professional if used correctly. Tying ribbon around your hair as a headband or even tying your hair back with ribbons in a bow are professional, cute and unique looks for the workplace.

3. Nails

Again, this can either be done tastefully, or very unprofessionally, so you’ll need to be careful with how you do this. However, painting your nails is yet another perfect way to use your personal style in a subtle way, which is sure to adhere to any dress code.

While vibrant colors and patterns may not be allowed, there are other ways to subtly evoke personality. For instance, French tips are a very classy, professional look that most women use in the workplace. However, to make this a bit more unique, put a design on one of your nails that’s subtle, yet stands out. Many women use flowers of a different color, or other such small designs.

This same technique can also be used for color: using a pale pink and on one nail using a complimentary color (such as a sparkly polish or silver) gives you a unique and beautiful look while also adhering to any dress code/professionalism issues.

Of course, all workplaces are different, so make sure polish is acceptable; also when you’re picking colors, you aren’t picking out vibrant neon colors but instead more subtle colors that aren’t too distracting.

Of course, this isn’t an exhaustive list of accessories that work in a professional environment, so I urge you to get creative and let your style shine through the dress code.

Just because you’re limited in what you can wear doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be limited in your personal style.

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