interview attire - suit vs. pants/blouse?

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Minnerbelle said:
Oh i hear ya! As someone who doesn't have very many occasions to wear suits, I splurged on one just out of high school, and still have it. And I'm someone who easily gains 20 lbs and loses 20 lbs in the course of one year. Both for job interviews at the end of college and for vet school interviews, I had to force myself to shrink back down to fit! Through all of this, I realized that where there's a will, there's a way. And sadly enough, I've learned that I have the ability to massively shrink when I want to... so I've gotten into a sad habit of allowing myself to live a very unhealthy lifestyle 🙁
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I also live that unhealthy lifestyle [I'm trying not to😉]. I try and put on some jeans that I bought years ago and get all 😡 if they don't fit. Then I think, when did I wear you last? And if it's been more than a few years (and tragically, I'll never wear them again, I donate those clothes to someone who will fit in them.😳
 
sunnex3 said:
oy, did not know expensive suits were until i started looking today. looked at nordstroms, ann taylor loft and banana republic. found a suit at ann taylor loft (it is on hold) and a suit from banana republic with a sleeveless blouse (which is also on hold).

i'm in LOVE with the banana republic suit. it's a pant suit in a really pretty dark navy color with some sort of microscopic pattern (it's not a solid navy, but very close). :biglove: but together with the blouse the total price is gonna come out to ~$350 😱

this is the link for anyone who actually wants to see what it looks like and give me an opinion 🙄 http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/outfit.do?cid=41936&oid=OUT22565

with this blouse underneath: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=43005&vid=3&pid=716210

the ann taylor loft suit is around $200 (much more reasonable) but still heavy for my wallet...

i'm planning on looking at tj maxx and macy's later on wednesday (a whopping 2 days before my interview! :scared:) getting very nervous that i'm not gonna find anything!
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I agree the top is not a good choice for cost and for cut. You can easily find a nice top for cheap elsewhere. And I personally wouldn't wear a shirt that shows anything about 2 inches below your collarbone (for any bustsize) for an interview. I do love the print however. I am a strong believer there should be one piece of interest in the outfit- especially if you're doing a dark suit like everyone else will have on.

And if the suit fits great and you love it- GET IT!!!! This is one of those times that it's quality over quantity- you don't want to keep buying cheap suit after cheap suit and end up spending more on a string of cheap suits in the long run when you could have just bought the one really nice one in the first place that will last. Also, you may not find a great suit next time you're looking for one and you will regret not having bought this one. Just bite the bullet >.<
 
A bit of an off-shoot, but since it's still on-topic, I thought I'd ask this here.

What are you guys' opinions on skirt suits? I know they can look a bit too...sexy for lack of better word. But with a nice long skirt does anyone think it would be a problem?

I have a short pixie cut, and I totally still look like a girl when I'm wearing my regular clothes...but when I tried on suits yesterday...there were more than a few where I felt that I looked very boyish. 🙁

So I'm just feeling out my options.
 
I think as long as the skirt isn't too short, its great.
 
abbercadaver said:
A bit of an off-shoot, but since it's still on-topic, I thought I'd ask this here.

What are you guys' opinions on skirt suits? I know they can look a bit too...sexy for lack of better word. But with a nice long skirt does anyone think it would be a problem?

I have a short pixie cut, and I totally still look like a girl when I'm wearing my regular clothes...but when I tried on suits yesterday...there were more than a few where I felt that I looked very boyish. 🙁

So I'm just feeling out my options.
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Skirt suits are fine. If anything, they'll reassure the adcoms that you're taking the interview seriously (since in some circles, skirt suits are still considered more "formal" than pant suits). Just make sure it fits okay and doesn't ride up. And don't forget the hose.
 
Sunnex, I got a coupon via email today for 30% off at Banana Republic(online only but free shipping over $50). Coupon code is Holiday, and it works at BR, the Gap and Old Navy 🙂


Also, just FYI -- the Banana Republic Non-Iron button down shirts are amazing. Mine stayed wrinkle free even flying all over the country, which I was very thankful for since I'm not much of an ironer!

Bonus of wearing a sleeved shirt -- if you get hot and sweaty (which I tend to do when I'm nervous) you can take off your jacket and not feel under-dressed.
 
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Okay, so can anyone who's interviewed previously (especially for Penn) tell me if I'll ever feel the need/have the occasion to take me jacket off? Trying to decide what to wear under my suit and it's down to two things: one sleeveless and one short sleeves. Any input? And please don't say wear a long sleeve shirt - I am a sweater, and I will be a gross mess within minutes, even in the middle of January!
 
sooprnova said:
Okay, so can anyone who's interviewed previously (especially for Penn) tell me if I'll ever feel the need/have the occasion to take me jacket off? Trying to decide what to wear under my suit and it's down to two things: one sleeveless and one short sleeves. Any input? And please don't say wear a long sleeve shirt - I am a sweater, and I will be a gross mess within minutes, even in the middle of January!
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Umm...well, they have changed the interview day since when I interviewed (plus I interviewed out at New Bolton, which is more casual) but I know that I would personally like to have the option of taking off my jacket. I'm sure you could go sans-jacket while on your tour -- I tend to get very hot up in VHUP (the small animal hospital).
 
abbercadaver said:
What are you guys' opinions on skirt suits? I know they can look a bit too...sexy for lack of better word. But with a nice long skirt does anyone think it would be a problem?
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I actually was quite taken aback by how many women choose to wear pantsuits to their interviews. It obviously goes without saying that you don't want to wear anything too skimpy or 'sexy' to your interview but since when did it become the standard to opt for pants over a skirt? I think a skirt is completely appropriate professional attire for a woman (I also believe them to be more so than the pants but I won't get into my rant about that here... ). Stick to a classic pencil skirt that isn't any shorter than just above the knee, not skin-tight, wear p.hose and sit like a lady- no problems! (a pair of heels wouldn't hurt either 😉 )
 
I wore pants, and here's why. If the skirt doesn't go down to mid-calf at least, not only do I not like wearing it, I'm bad at sitting 'like a lady' and I hate hosiery but would rather not go without since I'm working on my spider vein collection already.

Pants are so much easier. Plus, I can wear a greater variety of shoes, since kitten heels aren't realy my sort of thing either.

So yeah, basically all the things you said you'd have to do to make it look good... I don't want to do. It would be awkward.
 
I think more people opt for pants because first off most interviews are in the wintertime/early spring so it's not always that warm, and you don't have to worry about being judged for the length of your skirt or accidentally sitting wrong haha. It's just simpler. Most schools don't seem to care though, as long as you are professional. Check with your school to make sure they don't say anything anti-pants though--at one point when I was checking out websites before buying my suit last semester, I saw something that said that TAMU did not want women to wear skirts because 'they were unprofessional,' which I thought was really surprising but I think the bottom line is anything comfortable that would not scandalize your parents (and possibly grandmother) should be ok. I think most people wear pants for the comfort level--most people in vet med would be more comfortable in pants, but the key is confidence! Anything that may distract you should be avoided, so if you're going to spend the whole interview thinking about how you're sitting in your skirt, dont' wear one. 🙂
 
There was a huge debate on the pants vs. skirt thing last year.
 
skirts + heels = devil's inventions.

thank god I'm in a career field where slacks are acceptable for the few times I might have to really dress up and play professional. Otherwise- scrubs, khakis/polos/white coats and boots!
 
I love skirt suits!!! And I love heels!!!! Obviously in professional settings heels should be 4 in or under (I'd prob even go with 2 in or less for a vet school interview), but I used to live in 6 in heels, and if I could I'd wear them on a daily basis.

As long as the skirt is right above the knee or longer, you're fine. I saw that thing about TAMU saying skirts are unprofessional, and it made me judge them a little. But I also lived in a city for awhile where if you weren't dressed fashionably and in sky high heels, you just weren't, haha.
 
As others have said - where what you are most comfortable with unless the school has a special request.

Personally- I wore a pants suit and never considered a skirt - I would not have been comfortable. I would say it was 60/40 (more people in pants) at the interviews that I went to.
 
twelvetigers said:
So yeah, basically all the things you said you'd have to do to make it look good... I don't want to do. It would be awkward.
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I'm not saying that every single woman should wear a skirt instead of pants, I understand some people would just prefer the pants-I used to be one of those people! That doesn't mean I'm not still a tad surprised by how many people seem to prefer pants. But I prefer the skirt, that is my personal preference, and was just offering advice to the person who was thinking about opting for a skirt.
Heck, I wore a dress to my interview so I really shouldn't be preaching about skirt vs. pants in the first place! :laugh:
 
wow so i go to work for a 13 hour shift and this is what happens? this thread completely exploded! 🙄

okay a couple things:
1) i REALLY love this blouse. it actually fits very well and isn't as low as on me as it is for the person in the picture -- i might try to take some pics of how it looks on me and share (keeping things anonymous though obviously).
2) here's an alternative to the sleeveless blouse: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=43005&vid=3&pid=884692&scid=884692012 and http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=43005&vid=3&pid=888012&scid=888012012 AND http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=35391&vid=3&pid=884727&scid=884727012
3) i can't do a button down long sleeve -- the jacket itself fits very well with a sleeveless, but is a tad tight with a button down AND i feel super stuffy which i know will be terrible on interview day if i feel uncomfortable -- i feel claustrophobic with a button down. I would go for a short sleeve maybe, but sleeveless just for comfort's sake.
 
cowgirla said:
If you can't see cleavage, it's considered anonymous?
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alright guys you got me...i'm tired had a long day at work 🙄

whatever 😎

btw you can't see my face THAT well in the picture...it's from eons ago i look much different now 😀
 
twelvetigers said:
All asians look alike anyway.








I'm definitely kidding, lol.
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:laugh: TT you're lucky that i enjoy a sarcastic sense of humor 😀

i guess i do see why we would all look alike though........🙄
 
cowgirla said:
If you can't see cleavage, it's considered anonymous?
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🤣Thank goodness everyone's remained anonymous on this forum!

twelvetigers said:
All asians look alike anyway.
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Hey now, in vet school it's the males, asian, and other minority classmates that are easy to recognize. If I ever got tested on names of classmates, I'd struggle most with the nondescript blondes and brunettes that make up a good chunk of the class. Seriously, half of the gossip about classmates start with:

Friend: "omg, do you know Cindy Smith?"
Me: "no, wat'd she do?"
Friend: explains some gossip that would only come across as juicy to deprived vet students.
Me: "really!? who's Cindy? I want to know"
Friend: "oh, you know, tall long blonde hair..."
Me: "which one?"
Friend: "oh, hmmm.... usually sits in the back half of the class"
Me: "nm..."
 
Lol! He could have singled out j then cause that's all we have!

He sounds like a hoot. I'm sad I didn't get to have him, but from the sounds of it I should be a bit glad we won't have as much catch-up in 2nd year when it comes to phys.
 
tigerkissedqt said:
Heck, I wore a dress to my interview so I really shouldn't be preaching about skirt vs. pants in the first place! :laugh:
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really?! that's awesome! if you don't mind, could you post a link of an example of the dress you wore? is it like a "business-y" dress type of dealio? bc i really don't want to wear a pants suit...i don't like suits much at all really...
 
thaowey said:
really?! that's awesome! if you don't mind, could you post a link of an example of the dress you wore? is it like a "business-y" dress type of dealio? bc i really don't want to wear a pants suit...i don't like suits much at all really...
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totally missed this post! an example of what dress you wore would be awesome...i wouldn't mind wearing a dress to my interview.
 
sooprnova said:
Trying to decide what to wear under my suit and it's down to two things: one sleeveless and one short sleeves. Any input?
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My suit blouse thing was sleeveless - I didn't have any cause to take my jacket off.

Re: skirts vs. pants, I chose pants mostly because I could use the pants part again for dressy occasions (like my coating ceremony!) whereas I barely wear skirts ever, so that would have been less useful, if you will.

Re: dresses. One of the girls on my interview date wore a dress. It was a dark knit with some unobtrusive pattern on it. She also wore dark stockings, flats and a fashionable beret thing and looked really nice...for a date, or a holiday party or a night out with friends. In my opinion she did not look professional, even though she looked nice. I think I personally would steer way clear of dresses anyway, but that just kind of cemented it in my mind.
 
This is the dress I wore- it hits just above my knees and is not too snug in the fit, tiny houndstooth pattern. I wore it with a 3/4 sleeve black blazer-esque jacket w/ no buttons (rounded in the front cut- think bolero) mostly because I am usually cold, nude p.hose, red suede heels and my hair slicked into a low bun.
This outfit fit me and my personality; I am an Art major and fashion is a "hobby" of mine, if you will, and I wouldn't have had it any other way! 😉 (even though I do adore pencil skirts...)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z367/tigerkissed_qt/2011-12-13193235.jpg
 
tigerkissedqt said:
This is the dress I wore- it hits just above my knees and is not too snug in the fit, tiny houndstooth pattern. I wore it with a 3/4 sleeve black blazer-esque jacket w/ no buttons (rounded in the front cut- think bolero) mostly because I am usually cold, nude p.hose, red suede heels and my hair slicked into a low bun.
This outfit fit me and my personality; I am an Art major and fashion is a "hobby" of mine, if you will, and I wouldn't have had it any other way! 😉 (even though I do adore pencil skirts...)

http://i1186.photobucket.com/albums/z367/tigerkissed_qt/2011-12-13193235.jpg
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I like this dress! Personally I think it looks professional...I'm also a huge fan of fashion, and although I completely understand being conservative, I love seeing people who understand that professional isn't necessarily just a dark grey two-piece suit! 😀

On a fashion-related note I love nude hose and am soooooo glad that it's finally back in, no matter what tim gunn says.

Maybe we're in the wrong profession???
 
gina85 said:
...I completely understand being conservative, I love seeing people who understand that professional isn't necessarily just a dark grey two-piece suit! 😀

On a fashion-related note I love nude hose and am soooooo glad that it's finally back in, no matter what tim gunn says.

Maybe we're in the wrong profession???
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THANK-YOU!!! Such a pet peeve of mine that so many people think a dark pantsuit set is the only way to look professional! lol

-This profession isn't the most fashion-forward is it? I did shadow with an impeccably fashionable vet once, she always wore a fancy outfit, heels and perfectly manicured nails to work- (I thought she was nuts!) 😛 But she taught me you can be a great vet AND look great doing it!
 
i am obsessed with the wardrobe seen on Private Practice! fashionable doctors FTW!
 
Isn't hosiery a dirty word? I tried eliminating it from my vocabulary.
twelvetigers said:
All asians look alike anyway.

I'm definitely kidding, lol.
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The saddest part is that this is SO true. If you aren't asian. When I was at a bookstore once with my 2 Chinese sisters (by adoption for the technical ones), a girl about 8-10ish years old asked if we were triplets. Note for the detail-oriented ones: it's all in the details how we look different. As a whole, I guess we all really do look the same (I'm a SoKo girl if you MUST know and my favorite question that strangers ask: "What are you?" I always want to answer "human" right after I faceplant my palm into my right eye).:laugh::laugh:
 
Hi!
I wore black dress pants, a dark purple collared shirt, and a grey/black jacket and chunky heeled boots (I think I had seen someone in...birkenstocks, oddly enough). And yes, my interiew was in January, though it was unseasonably warm - but not much of a formal skirt girl, and heels scare me! Yet, I got in (as an alternate). I think as long as you look put-together and professional, they don't care whether you wear skirts or pants. I think pants are far, far more acceptable than they had been in the past. People, do apply to VMRCVM, it's great here!
Fidils
 
kaydubs said:
Isn't hosiery a dirty word? I tried eliminating it from my vocabulary.


The saddest part is that this is SO true. If you aren't asian. When I was at a bookstore once with my 2 Chinese sisters (by adoption for the technical ones), a girl about 8-10ish years old asked if we were triplets. Note for the detail-oriented ones: it's all in the details how we look different. As a whole, I guess we all really do look the same (I'm a SoKo girl if you MUST know and my favorite question that strangers ask: "What are you?" I always want to answer "human" right after I faceplant my palm into my right eye).:laugh::laugh:
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As mentioned above, I have a lot more trouble telling all the white ladies apart at vet school, especially when they dress similarly. I've definitely confused a few of them more than a couple of times.
 
just an update on my final choice for my interview outfit before i depart for boston tomorrow 🙂

the suit

the top (i know other people were commenting about how it might be too low, but i am quite full chested and it is not nearly as low on me

the shoes (most. comfortable. pumps. ever. 😍

the suit looks fab with the shirt and the shoes are the perfect height and my pants do not need to be hemmed at all, no alterations period needed for this suit. last minute shopping done right 😀

since i feel good in my suit..i think it bodes well for my interview!
 
StartingoverVet said:
As mentioned above, I have a lot more trouble telling all the white ladies apart at vet school, especially when they dress similarly. I've definitely confused a few of them more than a couple of times.
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It didn't help that my mom loved to buy us matching outfits...the difference in ages is ~14mo and then almost 4 years between my 2 sisters.

SOV, it happens to me too (the white ladies...THING)!! Then my friends yell at me for being racist 🙄:laugh:
 
tigerkissedqt said:
This is the dress I wore- it hits just above my knees and is not too snug in the fit, tiny houndstooth pattern. I wore it with a 3/4 sleeve black blazer-esque jacket w/ no buttons (rounded in the front cut- think bolero) mostly because I am usually cold, nude p.hose, red suede heels and my hair slicked into a low bun.
Click to expand...

Most of the above paragraph is a foreign language to me.

Edit: (post wikipedia education) for the people who speak sweatpants and scrubs language:
She's wearing a dress that has a pattern on it and a jacket - with no buttons that is really short.

(I exaggerate of course - I do know what houndstooth is....really had no idea what bolero meant...)
 
heylodeb said:
(I exaggerate of course - I do know what houndstooth is....really had no idea what bolero meant...)
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I read "bolero" and though "Vahalero." :laugh: Oh, sometimes I wish I spoke fashion but then my sisters would use it as an excuse to take me shopping more. Now they just use my lack of interest as a need to take me shopping. 😴
 
heylodeb said:
Most of the above paragraph is a foreign language to me.

Edit: (post wikipedia education) for the people who speak sweatpants and scrubs language:
She's wearing a dress that has a pattern on it and a jacket - with no buttons that is really short.

(I exaggerate of course - I do know what houndstooth is....really had no idea what bolero meant...)
Click to expand...

"Bolero" to my brain... with that said, I actually own one. I just called it a short jacket. 😕
 
Good luck Sunnex3! Looks like you picked out a great outfit 🙂

heylodeb said:
Most of the above paragraph is a foreign language to me.

Edit: (post wikipedia education) for the people who speak sweatpants and scrubs language:
She's wearing a dress that has a pattern on it and a jacket - with no buttons that is really short.

(I exaggerate of course - I do know what houndstooth is....really had no idea what bolero meant...)
Click to expand...

:laugh:hahaha... That made my day! I blame my subscription to Glamour...
(*sidenote: the jacket isn't actually a bolero- same cut, not the same length)
 
Just curious if anyone is/did wear a lighter color suit to their interview as opposed to black or dark blue? The suit I bought is light grey and I'm just wondering how much I'm going to stand out lol
 
I wore a light grey suit with a red shirt and bright red heels. I like to stand out.

It was stressful, though. 45 minutes away from home I looked in the back seat and realized I brought everything but left my suit hanging by the front door. Didn't have time to go back, so Dress Barn came to the rescue. I returned the thing the next day because DAMN it was the ugliest suit I've ever seen! Still got in, though. Don't judge me!
 
sooprnova said:
I wore a light grey suit with a red shirt and bright red heels. I like to stand out.

It was stressful, though. 45 minutes away from home I looked in the back seat and realized I brought everything but left my suit hanging by the front door. Didn't have time to go back, so Dress Barn came to the rescue. I returned the thing the next day because DAMN it was the ugliest suit I've ever seen! Still got in, though. Don't judge me!
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Hahahaha oh my god that sounds like something that would happen to me!! My suit does not look that great on me but I tried on like 50 freaking suits and had 7 little Ukrainian women dressing me, eventually I figured that no suit will ever look good on me with my body type so I just bought the one I felt most comfortable in!
 
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