dirty DOs and DON'Ts: first day of a fashion internship

your first day of any job can be stressful enough, but adding on looking like you walked out of The Devil Wears Prada intimidates the bravest. here are a few DOs and DON'Ts for the first day of a fashion intern.

DO dress in classics- wear a classic outfit for the first day. scope out the office style ora before you bring your own. you can dress more unique once you know what is acceptable. play it safe and use this clean neutral palate for your first day. a menswear inspired blouse shows you mean business. adding details such as a bow-backed blazer, a wristwatch and feminine accessories shows you have your own personal twist and style without going outside the lines.

DO wear comfortable shoes- as an intern you will be running around all of NYC pulling samples, delivering designer exclusives and grabbing that soy low-fat latte your supervisor wanted. dress appealing, but dress comfortable. opt for a wedge heel in a fun print instead of those sky high stilettos or throw on a pair of suede oxfords when you run out the door. your feet will thank you later.

DO rock a wristwatch- you cannot be late. the internship is the real interview and everything you do makes a difference. since this could potentially be your future job, you must impress everyone. wear a wristwatch so you always know the exact time.

DO bring an over-the-shoulder bag- schlepping around town is grueling enough, but having to worry about your wallet, keys, metro card and phone is not worth it. grab a chic Chanel inspired bag to carry all of your extras while you lug those bags up those stairs.

DO bring a jacket- you never know how cold or hot the office is. wear a cute blazer with a burst of color to keep warm and keep sharp.

DON'T wear anything to short, tight or scandalous- you are coming to work, not to a night club. keep things classy and appropriate. if you want to wear short opt for the pleated, more relaxed, not the daisy dukes.

DON'T wear sandals- we aren't going to the beach. enough said.

DON'T have bed head- interns need to look polished and up-kept at all times. although an interns outfit is important, so is their hair, nails and makeup. put in the extra effort to make sure everything looks clean and professional. use nail polish to add that extra detail to an outfit and play with different hairstyles to spice it up.

these tips are very important. a first impression can change everything. play it safe and use your outfit to stay neutral until you have your feet on the ground. once you have been established, let your style shine.