Most comfortable in a sweatshirt? Same. Needless to say, business professional is not my forte.

Differentiating between business professional and business casual is confusing, and finding the right outfit for an interview can require a lot of effort. However, being a college girl, I have found ways to make it less complicated and easier on the bank account. Here are a few hacks to create the perfect lazy-girl interview outfit.

Online Shopping

I cannot stress this enough. I buy everything online now. With online shopping, there are more options and less commitment — and the biggest benefit is the incredible sales. A pro-tip of mine is to go straight to website’s sale section. Great pieces often end up on sale if you look hard enough. Websites like Loft, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and Banana Republic are great sources for business wear.

Amazon

Amazon is another great site where you can find cheap pieces that are surprisingly good quality. My favorite piece from Amazon is this insanely comfortable pair of pants. They look great with almost any blouse, and they come in so many different colors. I wear these for business casual events with a plain top, or I can make it business professional by throwing on a blazer. Not to mention they are only $20, which is a huge bonus. Amazon is full of great pieces that are super affordable, as long as you read the reviews before you order.

Collect clothing over time

Slowly collecting staple pieces helps to spread out shopping costs and allows you to build on your wardrobe over time, as opposed to dropping an entire paycheck on a head-to-toe look. This also allows you to get creative and mix and match.

Neutrals

I love to buy neutrals that can go with many different things to make it easier to create multiple outfits out of a few core pieces. Neutrals are easy to pair together and great to wear in business, since they don’t distract from the work you are doing.

Accessorize

Jewelry and accessories are great ways to spice up an outfit and make you to feel like you’re wearing something totally different. Don’t forget to make it your own — you will feel most confident in something you are comfortable in, and confidence is key.      

Dressing business professional can be easy and comfortable if you know what works for you, so don’t let that next interview scare you! Remember, “dress well, test well” can be applied to all areas of life, and confidence is a great way to make your day better.

Be well, Auburn.

Photography: Hannah S.