Dress code for dinners

[Cookie Queen]

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Hey guys
Now that we're starting to prep for interviews, I've started thinking about the dinners the night before. What is the dress code? I think only one place has given me the name of the restaurant, so at least I can look that up, but what should we aim for? I'm considered wearing a sweater, skirt, and boots since that can go dressy or casual.

Thoughts? How fancy are these dinners?

 

[Slade]

Some of the dinner invites have said specifically that jeans are fine. I'll probably just wear some nice jeans or slacks with a nice top.

 

[Pedi FTW]

^^^ Totally agree. For ladies this is easy; if the email says casual, wear what you might on a nice dinner date i.e. dress to impress but understated. Since I'm not a guy, who knows on that front.....

 

[GoSpursGo]

As a guy, probably leaning towards slacks+polo or button down without a tie, unless it specifically says jeans are fine. I don't want to stick out, but if I do I'd rather err on the side of a tad too well-dressed.

Honestly, unless you walk in with shorts, flip-flops and a backwards cap, I doubt we can go TOO wrong 🙂

 

[deleted311769]

jeans are almost universally fine - I think I did jeans with some sort of a sweater for pretty much every single dinner.

 

[pedsFMG]

How about what to wear on interview day itself?:

Will most women be wearing trouser or skirt suits? With shirts or tops without collars?

Would it be acceptable to wear a plain black dress with a matching jacket? Suits with trousers or skirts make me look so short!

I think I need to go shopping!!

Thanks 🙂

 

[Cookie Queen]

How about what to wear on interview day itself?:

Will most women be wearing trouser or skirt suits? With shirts or tops without collars?

Would it be acceptable to wear a plain black dress with a matching jacket? Suits with trousers or skirts make me look so short!

I think I need to go shopping!!

Thanks 🙂

I have this problem too, since I am quite short. From what I hear from graduated students, a pant or skirt suit is more appropriate but collared shirts are not required (I will probably wear silky blouses because they are more comfortable).

I would recommend buying a petite size suit and taking it to a tailor for any additional alterations. Some of the best shops for petite suits are Ann Taylor and Banana Republic because they have both the tops and bottoms in petites. If I remember correctly, Banana also has a student discount with your student ID (don't quote me on that). The Limited has petite size pants but not in the skirts or jackets. So I bought my suits from the Limited due to a big sale (and they have one now too - 40% off whole store), then took the jacket to a tailor to get the sleeves shortened. If you're very short, just stick with petite jacket and bottom, since shortening the sleeves is not the same.

Hope this helps! I certainly understand how being short can add extra complications to an already complicated shopping trip!

 

[Pedi FTW]

I have suits with pants because, lets face it, it's Nov-Jan and freezing in most states. J Crew is another good place to get suits and they have a 15% discount with student ID.

Not to give TMI, but button down shirts tend to gap in a particular area on me and the ladies are a little exposed so I tend to avoid those. I was told that a nice blouse would be totally adequate- this is pediatrics after all, a little personality is good!

 

[umass rower]

Hey guys
Now that we're starting to prep for interviews, I've started thinking about the dinners the night before. What is the dress code? I think only one place has given me the name of the restaurant, so at least I can look that up, but what should we aim for? I'm considered wearing a sweater, skirt, and boots since that can go dressy or casual.

Thoughts? How fancy are these dinners?

Typically, not fancy at all in my experience. Some of the residents may be a little more dressed up because they're coming from work, but applicants should generally feel free to wear something comfortable and relatively casual. Remember, residents are poor, and programs have budget limits on dinners (which usually doesn't include alcohol). My own residency program normally went to a place where we mostly did appetizers and drinks, with maybe some people splitting dinners. Other places I interviewed went to similarly casual places, including a restaurant best known for really good pizzas, and an Uno's that was attached to the hotel recommended to applicants.

 

[luckie212]

I have this problem too, since I am quite short. From what I hear from graduated students, a pant or skirt suit is more appropriate but collared shirts are not required (I will probably wear silky blouses because they are more comfortable).

So, I'm thinking of wearing a grey skirt suit with a colored blouse (not bright, but not a white shirt either) underneath... Does that sound okay? I don't want to stand out in a bad way, but I'm not a huge fan of white button down shirts, and I feel like that's the unofficial uniform. Anyways, I know this is supposed to be the fun part of this whole process, but I'm stressing! Any feedback would be appreciated 🙂

 

[justdoit31]

So, I'm thinking of wearing a grey skirt suit with a colored blouse (not bright, but not a white shirt either) underneath... Does that sound okay? I don't want to stand out in a bad way, but I'm not a huge fan of white button down shirts, and I feel like that's the unofficial uniform. Anyways, I know this is supposed to be the fun part of this whole process, but I'm stressing! Any feedback would be appreciated 🙂

I'm have two suits- both pants as I hate skirts! One is grey and one black, I plan to wear colored tops underneath (mainly shells from banana and ann taylor and ranging from pastel to bolder jewel tones but nothing too bright). That's for the interview day though...

For the dinners I'm thinking either dresses with tights/leggings and boots or nice trouser dress jeans with cute tops.

 

[pedsFMG]

I would recommend buying a petite size suit and taking it to a tailor for any additional alterations. Some of the best shops for petite suits are Ann Taylor and Banana Republic because they have both the tops and bottoms in petites. If I remember correctly, Banana also has a student discount with your student ID (don't quote me on that). The Limited has petite size pants but not in the skirts or jackets. So I bought my suits from the Limited due to a big sale (and they have one now too - 40% off whole store), then took the jacket to a tailor to get the sleeves shortened. If you're very short, just stick with petite jacket and bottom, since shortening the sleeves is not the same.

Thanks for the advice!