Dress Code: How Casual is Casual?

College interns didn't invent Casual Friday (a common workplace convention) but they probably have the best wardrobe for all the Friday's of a summer internship!

The problem is, no one has a sure-fire definition of what "casual attire" means. It's a relative term: casual simply means less formal than the usual dress code. It's also a subjective term: what's casual for you is probably different from what's casual for your boss, or your co-worker, or even your fellow intern.

Would you wear jeans with holes to your internship? Tank top? Sandals? Answer with the setting! Of course, there are settings where very casual attire is OK. But there are more settings where casual means khaki pants (not jeans), shoulders covered, and only the most protective of sandals.

The content on this blog is not offered as legal advice or guidance. Consult your college, advisor, or internship supervisor for help with issues surrounding internships. © 2009 Mary Bold, PhD, CFLE. Dr. Bold is a co-author of the book Reflections: Preparing for your Practicum or Internship, geared to college interns in the child, education, and family fields. More about Dr. Bold can be learned at www.marybold.com