Interview wear for women

[estradiol9]

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The women's interview wear thread seems to have died but can someone please tell me if this pants suit is appropriate? 😀

http://www.express.com/studio-stret...?showBreadcrumb=false&relatedItem=true#jsLink

The medium charcoal color.


Also, I am planning on wearing black flats and carrying a dark grey juicy couture bag that has some pink on it. Do you think it will look okay?

It looks like this

OH and one more thing. my leather portfolio is brown. 😕 Should I buy a new one in black or grey to match everything else?

 

[1289]

this is a joke.... right...

 

[Oxygen206]

The women's interview wear thread seems to have died but can someone please tell me if this pants suit is appropriate? 😀

http://www.express.com/studio-stret...?showBreadcrumb=false&relatedItem=true#jsLink

The medium charcoal color.


Also, I am planning on wearing black flats and carrying a dark grey juicy couture bag that has some pink on it. Do you think it will look okay?

It looks like this

OH and one more thing. my leather portfolio is brown. 😕 Should I buy a new one in black or grey to match everything else?

The suit is completely appropriate -- why wouldn't you think it would be?

The bag is soooo cute but people on here might tell you its not appropriate. I wore a similar bag and got a few compliments on it from the office staff. Always a confidence boost 😉

 

[estradiol9]

The suit is completely appropriate -- why wouldn't you think it would be?

The bag is soooo cute but people on here might tell you its not appropriate. I wore a similar bag and got a few compliments on it from the office staff. Always a confidence boost 😉

I never had to wear a suit before. I just wore business casual for job interviews soooo I have no idea what to buy or wear lol. Thanks!!

 

[SEE13]

Everything looks okay except for the purse, which is totally not okay. Try to avoid flashy designer logos (e.g. Juicy) in general.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

The suit is fine. My advice for anyone is to take your suit to a tailor to make sure it fits perfectly for your interviews; a suit that doesn't fit you looks unprofessional.


I would personally advise against the bag because of the huge logo. Bags like this can sometimes give out the air that you are materialistic, and like it or not, your appearance will make a big impact. Best to stick with a plainer one. The bag I brought to my interview looks almost exactly like the black one in this picture :http://www.sara.my/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Nine-West-Bedrock-Large-Faux-Leather-Shopper-Bag.jpg

 

[estradiol9]

Everything looks okay except for the purse, which is totally not okay. Try to avoid flashy designer logos (e.g. Juicy) in general.

So nobody will laugh at me for my brown portfolio and everything else being black or grey?

 

[TheMightySmiter]

So nobody will laugh at me for my brown portfolio and everything else being black or grey?

I don't think you need a portfolio at all if you're bringing a bag. Carrying both is a little clunky. What would you use the portfolio for?

 

[Oxygen206]

I would personally advise against the bag because of the huge logo. Bags like this can sometimes give out the air that you are materialistic, and like it or not, your appearance will make a big impact. Best to stick with a plainer one.[/url]

Yeah she's right. Stay away from flashy logos. My bag didn't have a big logo, so that's probably why I got away with it. Coach C's are probably okay...but Juicy tends to make stuff that is over the top.

If you haven't already bought the bag, it is completely worth it to spend the extra $ on a nice suit, and get a plain basic bag. Express just doesn't make quality suits compared to some places like Nordstrom (and they will tailor it for you -- DO NOT wear an untailored suit!!).

 

[estradiol9]

I don't think you need a portfolio at all if you're bringing a bag. Carrying both is a little clunky. What would you use the portfolio for?

Holding papers and having a note pad to take notes on? I always brought my portfolio to interviews and would leave my purse in the car (shove my keys in a pocket).

Maybe I can just buy one of those little note pads and throw it into my purse?

 

[estradiol9]

Yeah she's right. Stay away from flashy logos. My bag didn't have a big logo, so that's probably why I got away with it. Coach C's are probably okay...but Juicy tends to make stuff that is over the top.

If you haven't already bought the bag, it is completely worth it to spend the extra $ on a nice suit, and get a plain basic bag. Express just doesn't make quality suits compared to some place like Nordstrom (and they will tailor it for you -- DO NOT wear an untailored suit!!).

Well all of my purses I have are juicy couture or coach. (I don't have a ton, just 3-4) But the coach ones either too small or don't match my suit at all.

I already have the matching express pants so I was just gonna go buy the jacket with a coupon I have for 4th of july sale. I doubt I will wear the suit more than a hand full of times..

 

[Oxygen206]

So nobody will laugh at me for my brown portfolio and everything else being black or grey?

lol clearly you haven't seen other people at medical school interviews before. No one, and I mean no one, would ever notice something like that.

 

[estradiol9]

lol clearly you haven't seen other people at medical school interviews before. No one, and I mean no one, would ever notice something like that.

Ok good to know. Now i'm thinking of ditching the portfolio altogether and just bringing a small note pad and some pens in my purse? 😕

 

[Oxygen206]

Well all of my purses I have are juicy couture or coach. (I don't have a ton, just 3-4) But the coach ones either too small or don't match my suit at all.

I already have the matching express pants so I was just gonna go buy the jacket with a coupon I have for 4th of july sale. I doubt I will wear the suit more than a hand full of times..

I would buy a less expensive large black/grey bag so you can fit everything including your brown portoflio thing in it. Interviews are generally all day events, so I brought a pair of comfy flats, make up, etc. in my bag.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Holding papers and having a note pad to take notes on? I always brought my portfolio to interviews and would leave my purse in the car (shove my keys in a pocket).

Maybe I can just buy one of those little note pads and throw it into my purse?

This is what I would recommend. 🙂

Well all of my purses I have are juicy couture or coach. (I don't have a ton, just 3-4) But the coach ones either too small or don't match my suit at all.

I already have the matching express pants so I was just gonna go buy the jacket with a coupon I have for 4th of july sale. I doubt I will wear the suit more than a hand full of times..

Don't forget that once you're actually IN med school, you will need to wear professional clothing on occasion.

 

[Ironmandoc]

Most people on my interview trail last cycle had leather (or at least leather looking portfolios) for taking notes, keeping all the handouts the school gives out, etc.


FIU Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine '16
Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app

 

[estradiol9]

I would buy a less expensive large black/grey bag so you can fit everything including your brown portoflio thing in it. Interviews are generally all day events, so I brought a pair of comfy flats, make up, etc. in my bag.

Okay so I will buy the express suit jacket (i already have the matching pants) in the charcoal color and a black top to wear under the jacket. I'll also buy a black big basic bag from somewhere (Kohls??). I'll wear my black flats. (I am not used to wearing heels at all and I don't want my interview day to be the day I fall on my face.) Then I'll just shove the portfolio in my bag just in case I need it.

Am I missing anything?

 

[Oxygen206]

This is what I would recommend. 🙂



Don't forget that once you're actually IN med school, you will need to wear professional clothing on occasion.

Same. I would ditch the portfolio. I brought a notepad and never used it. They give you so many pieces of paper you'll have someplace to write if need be.

And yeah, maybe its just me, but I can tell a huge difference between a well made, well tailored suit, and one that was ~$100. Maybe I care too much about appearance lol

 

[brandonh4]

Don't forget that once you're actually IN med school, you will need to wear professional clothing on occasion.

What is this nonsense. Once I'm in it's back to the wife beater and sandals...

 

[JaBoomDay]

I was planning on carrying a work tote like this.
I wanted it to be practical so I can carry papers and stuff plus not too flashy. I bought my suit at Ann Taylor. It was SO expensive but damn it looks good and fits perfectly.

 

[estradiol9]

I was planning on carrying a work tote. Something like this:
I wanted it to be practical so I can carry papers and stuff plus not too flashy. I bought my suit at Ann Taylor. It was SO expensive but damn it looks good and fits perfectly.

Oh I really like that bag! Where is that from?

 

[Oxygen206]

Okay so I will buy the express suit jacket (i already have the matching pants) in the charcoal color and a black top to wear under the jacket. I'll also buy a black big basic bag from somewhere (Kohls??). I'll wear my black flats. (I am not used to wearing heels at all and I don't want my interview day to be the day I fall on my face.) Then I'll just shove the portfolio in my bag just in case I need it.

Am I missing anything?

Sounds about right. Always have breath mints on hand and you sound good to go!

 

[estradiol9]

Same. I would ditch the portfolio. I brought a notepad and never used it. They give you so many pieces of paper you'll have someplace to write if need be.

And yeah, maybe its just me, but I can tell a huge difference between a well made, well tailored suit, and one that was ~$100. Maybe I care too much about appearance lol

The two suit separates on Express.com have awesome reviews. Good enough for me 👍

 

[JaBoomDay]

Oh I really like that bag! Where is that from?

LOL it's a Merona which is a brand sold at like Target and Walmart surprisingly. Work totes look good in any brand and you don't have to break the bank buying one.

EDIT: Oops sorry. I ended up changing the picture because I found a tote I liked better. Just Google work totes and you'll see tons of cute bags that look really nice and professional.

 

[estradiol9]

Sounds about right. Always have breath mints on hand and you sound good to go!

Mucho gracias for all your help!

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Most people on my interview trail last cycle had leather (or at least leather looking portfolios) for taking notes, keeping all the handouts the school gives out, etc.

I never saw anyone actually use their portfolio. I only ever saw people hold it with the name of their prestigious university clearly facing outward. It looked douchey.

Okay so I will buy the express suit jacket (i already have the matching pants) in the charcoal color and a black top to wear under the jacket. I'll also buy a black big basic bag from somewhere (Kohls??). I'll wear my black flats. (I am not used to wearing heels at all and I don't want my interview day to be the day I fall on my face.) Then I'll just shove the portfolio in my bag just in case I need it.

Am I missing anything?

Well, it's just me, but I'd wear a more interesting color than black underneath your suit. 🙂

 

[Oxygen206]

Mucho gracias for all your help!

De nada chica!

I never saw anyone actually use their portfolio. I only ever saw people hold it with the name of their prestigious university clearly facing outward. It looked douchey.

lol yes.

Well, it's just me, but I'd wear a more interesting color than black underneath your suit. 🙂

Ya pick your favorite color or something! I wore royal purple (loved it with a charcoal suit!!)

 

[girlSam]

I never saw anyone actually use their portfolio. I only ever saw people hold it with the name of their prestigious university clearly facing outward. It looked douchey.

Yeah...I can't think of any reason to bring a portfolio. For all of the interviews I attended, I took maybe one note. Most places will probably give you folders full of things (and pens), so if you have to bring a bag, just bring something that can happily fit some papers, a wallet, and keys. Logos = ugh.

 

[tima]

I heard bringing a brown paper bag as a purse leaves a good impression on the ADCOM and your interviewer. True?

 

[1289]

I heard bringing a brown paper bag as a purse leaves a good impression on the ADCOM and your interviewer. True?

oh for sure. shows you're grounded.

 

[tima]

Lol, write Gucci on it if you want to be ballin'.

oh for sure. shows you're grounded.

 

[1289]

Lol, write Gucci on it if you want to be ballin'.

 

[Ironmandoc]

I heard bringing a brown paper bag as a purse leaves a good impression on the ADCOM and your interviewer. True?

Only if you have a 40 in the bag...

 

[tima]

A Benjamin > Two 20's for attention.

Lol, I get your comment now. Alcohol FTW.

Only if you have a 40 in the bag...

 

[TheMightySmiter]

A Benjamin > Two 20's for attention.

People who drink 40s and carry around $100 bills ARE drug dealers. This will show the adcom your entrepreneurial experience.

 

[tima]

Spare money for a taxi to the airport after the interview.

People who drink 40s and carry around $100 bills ARE drug dealers. This will show the adcom your entrepreneurial experience.

 

[1289]

People who drink 40s and carry around $100 bills ARE drug dealers. This will show the adcom your entrepreneurial experience.

wearing a grill would show that you understand other cultures. that's what I did at my interviews last year.

 

[supportivehubby]

Express sells out of many sizes during their sales, so go early! They are pretty nice, but plan to get them tailored. Shouldn't be more than $20 per item to tailor and you will feel way more comfortable.

I ended up with HM suit because no black Express pieces in my size at the time. Very happy with this, but I had to get a pant size larger so that wasn't so bootylicious. Problem with HM material is it is not silk lined, so have to be sure material does not bunch a lot in your upper thighs.

Spanx are awesome for avoiding the panty lines

I tried Grey, but felt like a marmy insurance salesman. Black = Black Mamba, made me feel way more awesome. Try on multiple colors and see what makes you feel awesome.

I had a vERY similar bag to JaBoomDay, got mine at TJ Maxx.

One girl I interviewed with had a mismatched skirt and jacket. I don't think the admissions folk cared. She still looked professional.

 

[Ironmandoc]

wearing a grill would show that you understand other cultures. that's what I did at my interviews last year.

My grill is a great conversation starter if they don't comment on my tear drop tattoos under my eye. It's all about diversity

 

[jbert]

Outfit looks cute, not sure I'd wear it personally.

I know I'm older and more boring than you guys, but I'd buy a more traditional suit to an interview. Express is what I'd wear out for fun, or maybe to work if the office culture was conducive to that. While it looks cute, it's not going to last forever. Not in terms of wear and tear or fasion. I'm a fan of going to Nordstrom's or Sak's. They'll tailor it there. It's not more than $400 or so, not the last time I went, should be cheaper than that. You'll own it for years, it's a good investment.