one button or two, advice for a 5'2"..

[cariblil]

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Instead of practicing my interview questions, I've successfully procrastinated by looking for a perfect suit.

Does anyone know if the one button suit is too unprofessional?

I also didn't want to be just another black suit... what do you think of this (and skirt):
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalo...und&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite#ATLtop

Where have other shorties found their dream suits?

 

[MedSchlHopeful]

Instead of practicing my interview questions, I've successfully procrastinated by looking for a perfect suit.

Does anyone know if the one button suit is too unprofessional?

I also didn't want to be just another black suit... what do you think of this (and skirt):
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalo...und&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite#ATLtop

Where have other shorties found their dream suits?

Definitely cute!! I'm not a suit person (I have hyperhidrosis 😳... gross), so I usually wear a button-down shirt with a black pencil skirt and a jacket, if necessary.

EDITED TO ADD: I have not gone for a med school interview though, I'm speaking only with respect to JOB interviews!!! So take my advice with a grain of salt. 🙂

 

[starlight04]

i like the suit =)

i'm also 5'2" and feel your pain--i tried the petites sections of macy's and the smallest tahari suits were still wayyy boxy on me.

Ann Taylor is a great fit, though the pants were still strange on me (probably just my body type). I got a cheaper suit in the juniors department of macy's in brown just to be different and bought a black with small white pinstripes suit at express which was a little nicer. Express sells pants in a "short" length and the size 2 jacket had sleeves that were short enough for me.

both my suit jackets were one button, and i think they look a little more modern/young than the traditional multi-button suits, without looking unprofessional.

good luck!

 

[RPedigo]

Definitely cute!! I'm not a suit person (I have hyperhidrosis 😳... gross), so I usually wear a button-down shirt with a black pencil skirt and a jacket, if necessary.

Axillary? I have axillary hyperhidrosis, but there are certain antiperspirants and other techniques where you won't sweat. I use Certain Dri, and I don't sweat when I wear it. Alternatively, insurance is starting to cover botox injections for those of us who would prefer just not sweating at all for a few months.

To the original poster: I think you can pull off that one-button, but the caveat is that the "standard" tends to be two- or three-button suits. The one-button is more fashion forward and more modern, but I don't think it's necessarily at the expense of professionalism.

 

[ChubbyChaser]

😀The model is hot

 

[MedSchlHopeful]

Axillary? I have axillary hyperhidrosis, but there are certain antiperspirants and other techniques where you won't sweat. I use Certain Dri, and I don't sweat when I wear it. Alternatively, insurance is starting to cover botox injections for those of us who would prefer just not sweating at all for a few months.

To the original poster: I think you can pull off that one-button, but the caveat is that the "standard" tends to be two- or three-button suits. The one-button is more fashion forward and more modern, but I don't think it's necessarily at the expense of professionalism.

Yeah, it's gross. My neurologist says that it is related to a combination of neurological problems that I have, compounded with an overly sensitive autonomic nervous system. I believe the whole sensitive autonomic nervous system aspect because it has other effects; for example, my eyes look black due to my pupils being constantly dilated so much that you can barely see my irises. I'm scheduled to get the botox injections because I'm allergic to all those Certain Dri/Drysol products--I get a bad rash and I couldn't put my arms down for 3 days because of the welts that developed on my armpits... not good. 😡

haha Okay, well I'm going to stop now because that is waaaaaay too much information about my sweaty pits. Thanks for the advice!!!

 

[phishee]

I'm also 5'2". I went to Nordstrom and bought a Kenneth Cole suit. It fit perfectly.
I also don't like black suits. I bought a dark blue one with thin red pinstripes. It made me stand out just enough, but not too much. I personally think the light brown suit is a little too different for conservative interviews.

 

[Phoenix.]

Instead of practicing my interview questions, I've successfully procrastinated by looking for a perfect suit.

Does anyone know if the one button suit is too unprofessional?

I also didn't want to be just another black suit... what do you think of this (and skirt):
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalo...und&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite#ATLtop

Where have other shorties found their dream suits?

I think that's perfect. I'm about an inch taller than you, and I have been wearing a suit just like that to interviews, with one button. I really don't think there's anything "too unprofessional" about it.

 

[axlaxl1]

Instead of practicing my interview questions, I've successfully procrastinated by looking for a perfect suit.

Does anyone know if the one button suit is too unprofessional?

I also didn't want to be just another black suit... what do you think of this (and skirt):
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalo...und&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite#ATLtop

Where have other shorties found their dream suits?

that is an awesome suite. You'll knock em dead with that. i do have to say I like a darker more powerful color however.

 

[hildtom]

out of curiosity, do you guys plan to wear heels, or are heels a no-no at interviews?

 

[etf]

for girls a one-button suit would be fine. for guys, i'm not so sure. but then, when you're a guy, no one gives an s about what your wearing anyway.

 

[littlealex]

For shorter people, 1 button is better than 2 button suits. You don't look so choked up in a 1 button suit.

 

[Abilene85]

1) Sweaty pits suck!!! I love light grey and can't wear it. 🙁
2) Number of buttons does not matter. Wear something you feel comfortable in. I find that sometimes a 2 button bunches a little oddly when I sit down, so I wore a 1 button.
3) Heels are fine, as long as they are professional. Don't wear 4 inch stilettos (I saw a few of these paired with skirt suits that were a little too short and it looked like the girls were going clubbing after the interview). Keep in mind you will be touring schools. I have heard (but didn't see) that some girls bring tennis shoes for that part. Just make sure the shoes are comfortable and professional. I wore black 1 inch heels (and got them for like $15!).

 

[da8s0859q]

2) Number of buttons does not matter. Wear something you feel comfortable in.

Fine advice.

I'm kind of a sports jacket + slacks/jeans (slacks for this, obviously) fan. So that's likely what I'll want to wear at interviews.

 

[chilon09]

..........

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Do most girls wear suits? Is wrong or inappropriate to wear a nice dress shirt and skirt/dress pants?

I don't think I saw anybody on the interview trail not wearing a suit, so I'd definitely recommend it. Either pants or skirt suits are acceptable.

To the op, I love that suit. I'm in agreement with the posts above that the number of buttons isn't an issue. Getting something that fits you nicely and makes you feel comfortable is definitely more important.

 

[Abilene85]

Do most girls wear suits? Is wrong or inappropriate to wear a nice dress shirt and skirt/dress pants?

Again, as long as you look professional, I think it would be fine. Even a skirt and a nice sweater set. A great suit won't make a dull personality seem better, and the interview is about getting to know who you are as a person.

People are sheep, though, and we tend to follow, so we hear people wear suits and assume everyone needs to wear a suit. Everyone I remember at my interviews was in a suit.

 

[chilon09]

..........

 

[surfstarj]

Hey, I'm 5'9" (where are all these 5'2" people coming from?!) but I think that there is no problem with a one-button suit. As long as it doesn't pull apart at the bottom (so it looks like the button is just holding on for dear life) your interviewer probably won't even notice how many buttons you have on your jacket. The thing to remember when you're shorter though is that pictures in catalogs aren't good examples of how an item will look on a smaller frame. Go try it on if you haven't. Good tailoring is also priceless. Good luck.

 

[jochi1543]

I think you CAN'T have a lot of buttons if you are petite, it will look weird. This should look great, though.

I thought about buying a suit, but decided not to. I'm gonna be wearing slacks with heels, a shirt, and a cashmere vest, and then I was going to buy a long wool coat, anyway.

 

[cariblil]

reason for the brown suit: not just to look different, but because i am different. i've been out of school for three years, did the peace corps, been working in special ed classrooms since then. so, i don't want to fit in with the rest of the black suits, if you get me.

i will have to check out nordstorms, but both malls in my hometown failed me. i did find the skirt in my size (if i pull it up to my belly button and stand on my tip toes -- shoe shopping is next weekend), and now i have to head into another town to find the petite jacket size 4!

 

[cariblil]

tried on a three-button suit at jcrew and almost fell over laughing in my changing room. all of a sudden i was a box.

 

[SpartanBlueJay2]

Instead of practicing my interview questions, I've successfully procrastinated by looking for a perfect suit.

Does anyone know if the one button suit is too unprofessional?

I also didn't want to be just another black suit... what do you think of this (and skirt):
http://www.anntaylorloft.com/catalo...und&defaultSizeTypeFromCategory=Petite#ATLtop

Where have other shorties found their dream suits?

I'm on the other height extreme, but just wanted to comment that I tried on that suit (in regular, not petite), and it was way cute. If I could have afforded it, I would have bought it. I understand about not wearing black. I wore a lighter gray suit to my first interview, and I was one of two not wearing black. It felt good to not blend in. BTW, I'm surprised you're having trouble finding the suit in your size. It is brand new and just came to my Ann Taylor Loft store on Saturday, and there was a great size selection.

 

[Blade28]

😀The model is hot

Aren't they all? 🙂

 

[wolfie26]

cariblil- nice suit. especially since i have to same one in pin stripes (and its a little lighter). i love it even though i stand out a little with a non- black/gray/blue suit. 😀

 

[ladyluck3]

i've been on 4 interviews and i've consistently been the only one in a non-black suit (mine is medium brown with tan pinstripes and has 4 buttons, the bottom one i don't button)

 

[purreleven]

Banana Republic has great petites suiting as well, although it seems like they're only carrying 3-button suits this season. I'm 5'0" and the 3 buttons actually don't look that choking on me so I'm sure they'll be fine on anyone taller.

 

[Concordia]

With regards to heels...whatever you will be comfortable with through the whole day that will probably include a tour. I am 5'4'' and I wore flats b/c I know the campus where I interviewed and it is pretty big. I was the shortest girl out of the bunch but I was much more comfortable than anybody else. You will be stressed anyway--why have an extra problem?

 

[TopDocChick]

I am deciding between two suits. They both fit beautifully while standing. One has a longer jacket so that when I sit, it pulls the single breasted buttons apart. My husband says that men unbutton their jackets before they sit down. Do women do that? Otherwise I will go with the double breasted suit which doesn't pull when I sit, but I am just not so crazy about the double breasted look.

Thanks