Dress code in Veterinary School?

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nyanko said:
you're the worst kind of insufferable.

cheers. 🙂
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lol. I like this part:

hygebeorht said:
Who knows, maybe I'll get there and just fall apart and live in sweatpants for four years.
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.... because clearly I dress like I do because I've "fallen apart" in vet school.
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squirrelsrule said:
I will be wearing scrubs with a lab coat and that I believe is the dress code 4th year as well, at least for small animal rotation it is.
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Many of the fourth year small animal rotations at Ohio State require "professional dress," and NOT scrubs. Just so you know.
 
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nyanko said:
One thing though, if they're going to have a dress code I'd rather they just explicitly tell me exactly what to wear. I am fashion-inept and the last thing that I need added to my daily stress level is having to go through a bunch of clothes and try to figure out what flatters this part or minimizes that part or avoids making me look stumpy or frumpy or whatever. I worked at a clinic where we had to wear khakis and a white polo all the time and though I hated that particular getup for working with animals all day, at least it took the BS out of having to figure out an outfit.
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Oh my god yes. Especially if they get all vague and then start using words like "blouse" and "dressy" - does not compute!
 
LetItSnow said:
lol. I like this part:
.... because clearly I dress like I do because I've "fallen apart" in vet school.
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I know I've let myself go. Now, instead of wearing school sanctioned pajamas (ubiquitous ceil blue scrubs), I have had to commission a ceil blue muumuu. It's a regulatory color, I think the clients will love it.
 
Related question: What do people think of as "business casual"?

I'm another severely fashion-challenged person. I understand the terms "busniness suit" and "formal" and "casual," but "business casual" kinda flusters me.
 
washbucket said:
Related question: What do people think of as "business casual"?

I'm another severely fashion-challenged person. I understand the terms "busniness suit" and "formal" and "casual," but "business casual" kinda flusters me.
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Nice slacks and top is what I do usually.
 
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/wardrobe-staples-women-must-have-among-their-clot0.html

Helpful. Business casual means a little business, a little casual. So a tailored piece (suit pants or blazer) plus some unstructured pieces (blouse or whatever).

This is one of my favorite sites for building a classy wardrobe: http://www.thedailymuse.com/style/build-a-work-wardrobe-under-500/

I also love Banana Republic. Great for short and tall ladies with their sizing, but you gotta hit them on their sales. Quality made clothing, for sure. Make you feel like a boss. If you have a Discover card, you can use your cashback points to get great gift cards for them too for another ~%30 off...
 
bunnity said:
and "slacks"... (see my previous post)
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Hmmmkay, let's bust it out!

Slacks are going to be any tailored, structured pant...actually let's just keep it foolproof. Is it jeans? No? Good. Does it have a ton of pockets everywhere? No? Good. Can you imagine a businesswoman/man wearing them? Yes? Well, you have probably found yourself a pair of slacks.

And as far as business casual tops go, if it's fluttery and blousy (aka if you tuck it into your pants it kind of billows out a little) you are on the right track.

Honestly, if you go to Banana Republic and browse around for a while, they hit business/bus-casual on the head. What you see there is good to go. If you want to be pretty foolproof without breaking the bank, pick a look on a model that you like and try to buy similar things from places like Target, TJ Maxx, even thrift stores. You can make it work, I promise!
 
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L431_burgundy-khaki-navy.jpg


What does this count as? I suck when it comes to dressing myself and this is what I wear when shadowing sometimes (it's what large animal people wear; I wear it when I don't have any scrubs - just have to avoid their color). I also wear it to some meetings when I want to talk to the speaker etc.
 
This is business casual. Think of what business people wear when they're flying, nice trousers, a polo shirt or button-down, or a blouse.
 
PetPony said:
What does this count as?
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The generic uniform of employees at places like Best Buy and Target? Many retail workplaces have chosen khakis and a solid color polo as their uniform. If you wear that outfit with a red shirt and go to shop at Target, people are going to accost you with questions. I did that to a poor Sports Authority guy who had just gotten off work and was buying shampoo at Target. So I'd only dress this way if I were on the clock in retail.

The pants choice would probably work for business casual, but I would pair it with a nice shirt (read: not jersey material if it's made from cotton) and a cardigan or blazer. Or a nice button-down shirt and maybe a sweater or sweater vest. You can skip the outer layers if you are somewhere warm like Florida, but I'd then still wear layers, just in floaty breezy fabrics.

Here is an image that may help you:

business-casual-to-business.gif


Or these:

anna_blog2.jpg


mcc-dress-code_2218716b.jpg


Layers and nice accessories tend to dress an outfit up, but don't go nuts because then you'll land in Olsen Twin territory and look like a rich hobo.

You can also click through the links in my previous post, which are quite helpful.

When in doubt, I always dress a little dressier than I think is called for in the situation. Better to be over- than under-dressed!
 
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PetPony said:
L431_burgundy-khaki-navy.jpg


What does this count as? I suck when it comes to dressing myself and this is what I wear when shadowing sometimes (it's what large animal people wear; I wear it when I don't have any scrubs - just have to avoid their color). I also wear it to some meetings when I want to talk to the speaker etc.
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At WSU that would be considered equine attire. There is business casual for small animal and khakis and a polo for equine rotations. I'm not sure which dress category that outfit would fall into but I personally would not call that business casual.

That said, I think it sounds appropriate for what you're wearing it to. I honestly think that 'appropriate' attire is set by the university attitude. At our vetmed college, if I wear dressy pants and a nice blouse to meet with someone important in equine they immediately assume that I am a small animal focused student. Even if I was meeting them in a business setting to discuss a part-time job... The etiquette around wardrobe is kind of ridiculous in vetmed which may be why so many of the current students get touchy on this topic. At least for me it's really hard to fit into everyone in the hospitals' little mold all of the time and then have to deal with criticism from your peers. Some days I just want to wear my sparkle glitter suit so everyone knows that I don't care if I'm doing it wrong.
 
hygebeorht said:
The generic uniform of employees at places like Best Buy and Target? Many retail workplaces have chosen khakis and a solid color polo as their uniform. If you wear that outfit with a red shirt and go to shop at Target, people are going to accost you with questions. I did that to a poor Sports Authority guy who had just gotten off work and was buying shampoo at Target. So I'd only dress this way if I were on the clock in retail.

The pants choice would probably work for business casual, but I would pair it with a nice shirt (read: not jersey material if it's made from cotton) and a cardigan or blazer. Or a nice button-down shirt and maybe a sweater or sweater vest. You can skip the outer layers if you are somewhere warm like Florida, but I'd then still wear layers, just in floaty breezy fabrics.

Here is an image that may help you:

business-casual-to-business.gif


...or you can click through the links in my previous post, which are quite helpful.

When in doubt, I always dress a little dressier than I think is called for in the situation. Better to be overdressed than underdressed, right? 🙂
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Awesome representation. I think if the middle lady was wearing slacks it would be even more obvious what the differences are. Skirts to me, always seem a bit dressier. For the Cornell info session I wore black slacks, a patterned blouse, cardigan, and "statement" necklace. Some people were in suits and some were in jeans so I felt very comfortable fitting somewhere in the middle.
 
I guess I'd rather look like a retailer then since every once in a while I do assist with stuff. Don't wanna wear those clothes when I'm holding a bucket to catch urine for 30 minutes. 😛

I also don't wanna stand out when that is the outfit the vets and students wear.
 
Yeah, I'd consider the khakis/polo fine if you're working LA or Equine. Looking at what your superiors wear is always a good idea.

I was just addressing your question: what would you call this? And also the confusion earlier in the thread about what business casual is supposed to mean.
 
PetPony said:
I guess I'd rather look like a retailer then since every once in a while I do assist with stuff. Don't wanna wear those clothes when I'm holding a bucket to catch urine for 30 minutes. 😛

I also don't wanna stand out when that is the outfit the vets and students wear.
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I think that is great reasoning for wearing kahkis + polo to your job. Each job is different! I wouldn't wear that to my job but I also sit behind a desk... so no catching urine for me :laugh:
 
felinelvr44 said:
Awesome representation. I think if the middle lady was wearing slacks it would be even more obvious what the differences are. Skirts to me, always seem a bit dressier. For the Cornell info session I wore black slacks, a patterned blouse, cardigan, and "statement" necklace. Some people were in suits and some were in jeans so I felt very comfortable fitting somewhere in the middle.
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Yeah, these are helpful for understanding what an office's dress code of "casual" should look like. Obviously not casual as we would understand it for running errands around town etc.

For Ohio, I was full-on business for the interview and office casual for traveling (the nicer you dress to fly, the more likely you are to be bumped up a class and people treat you better). For Missouri, same, since it was another interview. For Cornell, I knew we'd be touring places and I didn't really feel like wobbling around on heels in knot-a-boots like at Mizzou, so I wore denim trousers and boots on the bottom. I wasn't the dressiest person there, but there were quite a few people less dressy than I, so I felt pretty good about my dress. I was definitely office casual in the picture you quoted.
 
:bump:

I finished my homework and have been thinking about clothes for a couple days - I guess I like taking on projects outside of school/work/whatever and brightening up what I wear could be fun.

I found this blog and it's super-helpful, especially to me since I have to learn fashion like I learn O Chem - by rote and with pain. I hope maybe it is interesting to some other people!

http://www.puttingmetogether.com/search/label/building a remixable wardrobe

(One thing I REALLY like is that this type of dress is cheap and easy to do. Cheap = good!)
 
Just remember peeps, to think long term - there is NO POINT to girls buying "business casual" dresses. you cannot wear them in clinics. You will lose your dignity. Stick to pants at all times.

No matter how formal someone looked, if they showed up to clinics here in a skirt or dress they would be failed on professionalism because its not in context.
 
sunshinevet said:
Just remember peeps, to think long term - there is NO POINT to girls buying "business casual" dresses. you cannot wear them in clinics. You will lose your dignity. Stick to pants at all times.

No matter how formal someone looked, if they showed up to clinics here in a skirt or dress they would be failed on professionalism because its not in context.
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I was just thinking about this the other day as I stared into my closet. I realized that I have a ton of dresses and skirts (not acceptable for clinics), dress slacks, and a few pairs of jeans/corduroys/skinny jeans. I have plenty of time before clinics but I'd also like to get a work study job at the hospital at my CVM so I'm looking to start beefing up my business casual bottoms wardrobe. I own no kahkis and haven't for years. Does anyone have any suggestions in the khaki department? Something that is comfortable yet tailored? And perhaps a bit feminine? :laugh:
 
sunshinevet said:
Just remember peeps, to think long term - there is NO POINT to girls buying "business casual" dresses. you cannot wear them in clinics. You will lose your dignity. Stick to pants at all times.

No matter how formal someone looked, if they showed up to clinics here in a skirt or dress they would be failed on professionalism because its not in context.
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I think long skirts are the exception; when I'm not slummin' it in jeans, I wear long skirts and a sweater top. Agreed on short skirts (even knee length) and dresses, though.

I think something like this (I actually have the exact same top) is perfectly acceptable (although perhaps not practical for clinics unless it is nutrition or behavior or something)

maxiskirt.jpg
 
WhtsThFrequency said:
I think long skirts are the exception; when I'm not slummin' it in jeans, I wear long skirts and a sweater top. Agreed on short skirts (even knee length) and dresses, though.

I think something like this (I actually have the exact same top) is perfectly acceptable (although perhaps not practical for clinics unless it is nutrition or behavior or something)

maxiskirt.jpg
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I am not sure that POSE is appropriate for clinics though.
 
sunshinevet said:
Just remember peeps, to think long term - there is NO POINT to girls buying "business casual" dresses. you cannot wear them in clinics. You will lose your dignity. Stick to pants at all times.

No matter how formal someone looked, if they showed up to clinics here in a skirt or dress they would be failed on professionalism because its not in context.
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I'm just thinking "what can I wear to class that will be comfortable, look put-together, and make me happy." I'll deal with clinics when I get there...I already have lots of clinic-appropriate clothing, and if I need something down the line, then I get to shop again!
 
hygebeorht said:
I'm just thinking "what can I wear to class that will be comfortable, look put-together, and make me happy." I'll deal with clinics when I get there...I already have lots of clinic-appropriate clothing, and if I need something down the line, then I get to shop again!
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lol yep, never had that thought in my life and probably never will until 4th yr...

I couldn't find the time/energy to care in undergrad and will less likely have it in vet school. It's good that you have it as I don't think many do. 👍
 
hygebeorht said:
Hey, can anyone who goes to a school with an actual dress code tell us a little about it? I'm curious about what those dress codes say.
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Here are the posts from students at schools with dress codes:
scb44f said:
Here at Mizzou, it is in our student-made-student-enforced dress code that we can't wear things with the logo of another school, nor can we wear hats in class, and flip-flops are technically not allowed either…most people by now wear plain or dressier tops with jeans or slacks.
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BuggerDoodle said:
I can't speak for other schools but here at Auburn, we are expected to dress professional at all times. The guys are usually in a shirt and tie and girls range from slacks and a nice top or sweater to dresses. It's really not as bad as it sounds and you do get used to having to dress nicer quickly. As much as it can be a pain when you are tired and stressed, it does portray a professional image onto the school and it makes the transition once you get to clinics a little easier.
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UAmike said:
I've only skimmed through this thread so someone may have mentioned what I am about to say. I attend Auburn and we have a dress code in place that was enacted by the students. At first I thought it was going to be a pain, but after about a month of dressing nice every day, you get used to it. Moreover, you learn to like it. Everyone looks great and it is an excellent representation of our college. We get a lot of compliments from visitors about how professional the students look. It makes you feel good.
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BuggerDoodle said:
Personally, I am usually in slacks or khakis and a nice top or sweater…I wear flats everyday…Even though we have a dress code, there is still a lot of room for individual choices in regards to the clothes you wear.
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CanHardlyWait said:
There is a dress code. We were told the change to an enforced code was student led a couple years ago. It allows causal clothes like jeans, flip flops and hoodies. We can't wear leggings as pants (thank god!), yoga pants, sweat pants, spaghetti strap tanks, anything too low cut or that shows a bra strap, no exposed midriffs.
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Thanks redhead for compiling those. I guess what I am looking for, though, are specifics from places like Auburn other than "dress professional" and "dressing nice." Like what does their dress code literally say? Something like "men must wear slacks and long-sleeve button-down shirts, women must wear skirts or dresses or black slacks blah blah blah?" I'm going to go and try to google it again, but I strongly suspect I won't find it.

Anyway, thanks for going to the trouble. Sorry it's not what I'm hoping to find 🙂 I'm just trying to sate my own curiosity at this point.

EDIT: I did find a few resources for dress codes, if anyone else is interested:

CSU's vet teaching hospital: http://csu-cvmbs.colostate.edu/Documents/dvm-policy-vth-vdl-dress-code.pdf

Tuskegee (on page 34): http://www.onemedicine.tuskegee.edu/student_handbook.pdf

Missouri: http://www.cvm.missouri.edu/stuhandbook_sec4_1.htm
 
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Honestly a dress code for vet school puts me off a bit. I dont want to have to dress up every single day Im a very casual person but if it was my only option I would certainly do it rather than not go at all!
 
There's a pretty strict student created dress code enforced at MSU. During your interview you're told all about the expectations and when you accept admittance, you're given a written dress code that spells out everything that's allowed and not allowed. The code actually made shopping easier, yet I did buy on the side of caution, which I wish I hadn't as much as I did. Some fashion no-no's were just unclear. After awhile, it's nice to lookout and see a class of amateur fashionistas. Some go all out with designer stuff from head to toe, others just look put together in khakis, a nice top or sweater and flats. It's not at all difficult to abide by and visitors actually comment on how well put together the vet students are.
 
Coming from an upscale business school we do business casual meets well put together casual as there are multiple recruiters coming though the halls all the time. Which means I get up and get dressed every day. I still wear jeans but with a top rather then a tshirt. That doesnt mean I dont wear structured tshirt styles I just pair it with a blazer or cardigan instead of a hoodie to add a little class. Also ive stepped hard core awat from flip flops. I only wear them if my toes are perfect and im running to get the mail.
 
WelshCob said:
Coming from an upscale business school we do business casual meets well put together casual as there are multiple recruiters coming though the halls all the time. Which means I get up and get dressed every day. I still wear jeans but with a top rather then a tshirt. That doesnt mean I dont wear structured tshirt styles I just pair it with a blazer or cardigan instead of a hoodie to add a little class. Also ive stepped hard core awat from flip flops. I only wear them if my toes are perfect and im running to get the mail.
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Respect. I don't own flip flops anymore 🙂. And isn't it amazing what a blazer can do for an outfit? 😀

I think it's great your school requires that you dress well - in the "real world," you never know when you'll need to impress someone.

I'm currently working on a better wardrobe. Any suggestions for places to buy or useful pieces to own?
 
Missouri Dress Code said:
Unacceptable Dress: Bare feet, T-shirts that are not MU or Vet School related, shirts baring the midriff, and tank tops that bare shoulders are unacceptable.
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Aw, can't wear my nerd shirts. 🙁
 
Kpowell14 said:
I'm gonna wear Mizzou / vet school shirts ALL THE TIME lol

I've already got a nice Mizzou jacket 😀 ... So excited :laugh:
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But...but "The angels have the phone box" and "Angular momentum makes the world go 'round!"
 
hygebeorht said:
Respect. I don't own flip flops anymore 🙂. And isn't it amazing what a blazer can do for an outfit? 😀

I think it's great your school requires that you dress well - in the "real world," you never know when you'll need to impress someone.

I'm currently working on a better wardrobe. Any suggestions for places to buy or useful pieces to own?
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You really don't want to know how many blazers I have or blazer type jackets. =D

Anyway I literally threw out well donated my entire closet when I got into the business world. Casual for me in a button up, jeans and flats.

I shop mainly at Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Gap, Old Navy and Talbots. While all have a high price point aside from Old Navy I do NOT buy anything that isnt on sale. I've signed up for emails and really never buy any of their new releases with out substantial discount.

I just bought a new release Loft spring blazer that I fell in love with for 50% off in store when they were having a one day flash sale. Of course it meant I had to quickly pop in and get it but I got a great piece for $40 bucks. I also got one of Gaps Academy blazers which are super nice and lined in a closeout color in store for $30 dollars and an additional 25% off. In order to do this a supply a wardrobe I do go shopping more often then the average person but sale racks in these store namely the Gap brand stores change all the time. I monitor my email for any sales, coupons, discounts ect.

Old navy is great for some base layer pieces so I never count it out, they also have decent cheaper flats that I use for more casual outfits
Jeans come from the Gap or occasionally Loft, but they have a stretchier denim material that I am not overly fond of. I love these jeans because they have plain pockets meaning you can dress them up or down. I have a couple of pairs of Banana Republic jeans that I got on super discount. I need to have them taken in as I have lost weight since their purchase. Slacks, pencil skirts and suits are Banana Republic. Loft I use for more fun pieces as they have fun prints and colors. I just bought a pair of light blue skinnies that I cant wait to wear as I have this navy blazer that will look AMAZING with them.

Talbots is typically viewed as a an older womans store but you can pick up some nice staple pieces here. I have a corduroy red blazer I love from here also have a paisley pencil skirt that I get complements on all the time. I dont particularly like low rise jeans and I like the fit of their denim I haven't had chance to purchase any yet though just tried them on. I do own a lovely pair of cords from them. Now shoes Talbots shoes are 😍. I own three pairs of flats two of which were $100 new and I bought on closeout from our local store for $20 yes that is an 80% discount. I love them also my interview shoes a nice pair of professional easy to walk in black heels for $40. They fit so well are are comfortable for walking across campus and dont rub my heels. I get shoe complements all the time and people are shocked when I say Talbots.
 
You know how to shop WelshCob. The only stores I would add are J Crew, Loehmanns, Nordstrom Rack, Bloomingdale's, Antropologie, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Zara, H&M and every now and then, All Saints. Same thing at these stores, shop by the sales both in store and online. Get on every email list.

If you don't have the patience to shop a lot or the ability to wait for the best sales, and your budget spells SAVE $$$$, 2nd hand stores like Plato's Closet are good, too.

At my school, we can't wear Uggs on the school premises, but we can wear cowboy boots! For shoes, I also like J Crew, Ivanka Trump, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Coach, Antropologie.
 
BulldogMS said:
You know how to shop WelshCob. The only stores I would add are J Crew, Loehmanns, Nordstrom Rack, Bloomingdale's, Antropologie, Neiman Marcus Last Call, Zara, H&M and every now and then, All Saints. Same thing at these stores, shop by the sales both in store and online. Get on every email list.

If you don't have the patience to shop a lot or the ability to wait for the best sales, and your budget spells SAVE $$$$, 2nd hand stores like Plato's Closet are good, too.

At my school, we can't wear Uggs on the school premises, but we can wear cowboy boots! For shoes, I also like J Crew, Ivanka Trump, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Coach, Antropologie.
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Haha none of those stores are even remotely available without a substantial drive for me. Plus my tastes haven't quite gotten that expensive yet.

One thing I will add is that when I purchase clothes I hang them up with tags on and file the receipts away. When I go to wear that item for the first time and I analyze if I am really happy with the purchase. If not I take it off and return it. Because lets be honest some things are impulse buys and fit differently at different times of the day. Its kind of like trying it on the second time. 😀
 
equineconstant said:
Aw, can't wear my nerd shirts. 🙁
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I have amassed quite a collection of nerd shirts. My current favourite is my Dalek CAFFEINATE shirt from TeeFury (another classmate has the same shirt, so far I've managed to avoid wearing it on the same day as him). The thought of having to save those for only weekends... It's just too horrible to contemplate. 😱
 
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