A question for the SDN gals re: interview suits

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Treg

Surgeon in training
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Hi ladies,

I have my first interview coming up (Albert Einstein), and I have three suit options. Here they are (in no particular preference order, they all fit well):

1. J. Crew graphite colored wool crepe skirt suit. Hits right at my knees.

2. J. Crew bamboo (cream) colored wool gabardine skirt suit. Also hits right at knees.

3. Navy pant suit. Jacket has subtle gray pinstripes, while the pants are solid navy. I would have to have the pants taken in, since I have lost some weight.

I could splurge and buy the pants from J. Crew for either 1 or 2.

If I wear the skirt suits, are nude hose appropriate?

Thanks for your advice! 🙂

Treg
 
i'd go for the graphite. it's distinctive (read: not black), is a nice length, and heck it's j. crew - you really can't go wrong. navy is sooooo booring, and skirt suits are more flattering/professional imo (although, yes, they are a little less comfortable...i think it's worth it though...). i wore a graphite/grey suit myself - i liked being different (even if only marginally so.)

but, i will admit...a part of me wants to go for the bamboo just b/c it sounds so awesome. when you try both of the skirt suits on, which one do you feel flatters you most? the one you're most confident in is the one you should go with. if you can pull off bamboo, props to you.

if you go w/the skirt suit i'd say nude hose are fine.
 
When wearing the right at the knee skirt, consider these things:

Crossing your legs, the weather, and shoes. I am a habitual leg crosser, so skirts at the knee don't work for me. I interviewed in cold snowy regions, so pants or long skirts were key. And then the shoes. Legs tend to look best punctuated with heels. How much walking is involved? I have seen black leggy skirts worn with nude hose and huge chunky-clunky Herman Munster-looking shoes. Fab for the campus or the clubs, totally wrong for the interview. I'd wear soft grey hose/stockings with the graphite. Nude w/bamboo. I'd stay away from the navy.
 
There is a positive correlation between amount of skin shown and chance of acceptance. So say some guys 😉

Coops
 
I agree with everyone else. Definitely the graphite skirt suit... you'll look professional and feminine. I'd wear it with nude stockings.
 
wow...wool. you must have a high tolerance for itching. anyway, i agree with the darker colored suit set. personally i would go with the pants cause im a shorts/pants girl, but if youre comfortable in a skirt then it's cool. by all means, do what looks good and feels comfortable. it may be a long day.
 
Originally posted by Treg
Hi ladies,

I have my first interview coming up (Albert Einstein), and I have three suit options. Here they are (in no particular preference order, they all fit well):

1. J. Crew graphite colored wool crepe skirt suit. Hits right at my knees.

2. J. Crew bamboo (cream) colored wool gabardine skirt suit. Also hits right at knees.

3. Navy pant suit. Jacket has subtle gray pinstripes, while the pants are solid navy. I would have to have the pants taken in, since I have lost some weight.

I could splurge and buy the pants from J. Crew for either 1 or 2.

If I wear the skirt suits, are nude hose appropriate?

Thanks for your advice! 🙂

Treg


I'd go with option 1 with pants...here's why. i'm interviewing at cold places, and i wouldn't want to wear a skirt in the middle of winter...and while skirt suits are nice and conservative, i've actually gotten compliments from two female deans of admissions at interviews on my black pants suit 🙂 . However, if i were to do it over again, I would wear the skirt suit for my earlier interviews--sometimes i was the only female in a pants suit--though i still looked super adorable 😀

For interviews in the South, wear the skirt suit...
 
i say, wear what you like most - the colors matters like 0% compared to your confidence level.
 
Wow, thanks for all the great advice!

I was leaning towards the graphite as well. It is slimming and looks great with these black bcbg pumps that I have that have a super comfortable rubber sole that doesn't look like rubber.

As for being cold, I live in Edmonton, and anywhere will feel warm compared to here.

Any more thoughts would be appreciated.

Treg🙂
 
I've worn black skirt suit and pants suit and either has been fine, although I get tired of looking like all the other black-suited people! So I'd vote for graphite.

I don't like light colours b/c of the chance of spilling a drink or lunch or otherwise marking the suit. Also, if it's that time of the month, cream is a dangerous colour to be wearing.
 
If it is cold and wintery in NYC, will I look like a total imbecile in nude hose?

Treg
 
this is NY, there is always someone who looks dumber than you ;-)
if you wear black hose, theres the chance of getting that white snow/salt stain around your ankles... same goes with pants i guess.
i would suggest wearing a LONG coat, the wind sucks. and theres alot of ice around, be careful walking!
 
There's been a lot of discussion on interview apparel, so run a search and see what folks have said in the past to other posters!

good luck
 
Wow,
Treg and here I thought that you were a man all this time...lol:laugh:

Congrats on the interview invite..I saw your story in MSTP lounge..I will be at Einstein too..what date?

I too plan on wearing a skirt suit with nude hose, but I don't have a long coat? Uhh ohh.


I think that the main bulidings are connected by a bridge, so we may not have to be outside that much. Worried about slipping on the ice.

Good luck,


Exigente
 
graphite

while I had a skirt to go with my suit, I wore the pants every single time. the skirt suits just don't flatter me and made me look/feel just average and a bit frumpy. the pants however were very flattering and made me feel more confident and looked more sleek. it all depends on what goes best with your body type.

don't worry about Southern interviews and pants/skirts. I interviewed in the south (TX and LA) and the percentages were 50/50. women don't care and the guys are gonna appreciate whatever you look hotter in. 😉
 
When I interviewed at Einstein last year (mid January), it was very, very cold & windy. I think whether you'll be outside or not depends on where your interviews are... I ended up having to walk ~10 minutes for my interview at a hospital a few blocks away. It was so cold I could hardly hold my cup of coffee. I don't know about interviews for MSTP (maybe you get to stay in the same building?) but otherwise I would definitely advise the long coat!

good luck 🙂
 
Aww man, I don't have a long coat.😡
 
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