Professional Clothes (female)

Hey!

Since my old career involved dressing up everyday (I was also in charge of the fashion section), I got to be pretty good a buying clothes to mix and match. You might want to check out the Victoria's Secret Catalogue. No I'm not talking about the lingerie, but they have some nice shirts and pants and skirts that come in every color and can mix and match. They offer a lot of good deals too. I also shop at Express, Banana Republic (on sale) and other places. I try to buy pants and tops that are classic and will be in style a while, and maybe a few trendy things to stay sort of now.

Sorry this is so long, but I hope it helps.

 

i would recommend jcrew, they have cute suits with more options, or even at banana republic, try both online. br has huge sales all the time online, with free shipping.

 

My stores: Benneton, Ann Taylor, BR, J. Crew (for dresses and sweaters).

Some key things to get:
1. Black pair of pants (dress up or down).
2. Nice black pumps, comfortable flats.
3. Button-up shirts, nicely cut.
4. A few nice sweaters.

In general, I shop by buying what I like, and I'm picky. My wardrobe isn't very large but I always get good quality stuff and it looks nice and lasts a while. I would probably not go with a suit - you won't really wear that on rounds with patients, will you?

Oh, another tip - OUTLET MALL. Very convenient, centralized way to shop. Also pretty horrible place to be at Christmas time.

 

Also, instead of pumps you might want to try some Dansko heeled clogs. They can look nice if you are dressed nicely and are very, very comfortable which will be important for rounds. You can also wear them with pants and skirts.

 

Just find what you think is you and what you feel comfortable in. It's hard for me to find clothes too, since I'm 4'11", so even petite stuff usually ends up at the alterations place. I figure since I'm going to be a pediatrician (hopefully!) I'll be taller than most of my patients, except for those adolescent medicine ones of course! Just think, classic, good fit, good quality, and you can't go wrong! Good luck!

 

I've found that the gap has good clothes for short people, and it's nice to buy pants that don't have to be shortened like half a foot.

When I worked in a clincial setting, I bought a couple of long skirts (plain or with a small print) and khakis in a few colors and just mixed and matched those with shirts and sweater sets I already had, and that worked out well and wasn't expensive.... but I have relatively little fashion sense, so who knows how it looked.

 

I'd also recommend J. Crew. I used to work there, so I could get their expensive stuff 50% off though... That's how I could afford my interview suit. Anyway here's a tip about J. Crew that not everyone knows-- if you find something in the catalog you like that's not in the store, go to the store and have them order it for you. That way you don't have to pay for shipping.

Another store that sometimes has some fun dressy-ish stuff is Lerner, although sometimes I feel like an old woman when I try on some of their stuff. You have to look. They have been getting a little "younger" though.

Also Express is a good place to go for basics- pants, skirts, tops. Especially when they have their sales. Of course Banana is also great for sales.

I feel like I need to go shopping now.

 

Ok, for those of us who dont do the "trendy" stores, I have some other suggestions...

1. Do NOT buy more suits. You wont wear them. Remember, you'll have your white coat to wear, and it doesnt fit over a suit coat very well.

2. While J. Crew, VS and the GAP are nice and trendy, they're also mucho expensivo (yes, I know thats not really spanish). I got my clothes for my site/clinic visits from Kmart. Im at UTMB, so its still in the 70s here, and my black pants with various short sleeved patterned tops have worked out fabulously. I got 8 outfits for $50 and they dont *look* like they came from Kmart.

3. What you wear depends on where you're going to be having patient interaction. Scrubs are appropriate sometimes. Other than that, ask. My preceptor at the pediatrics clinic wore black jeans, a turtleneck and a blazer (she doesnt wear the coat) to work today. Some places may want you dressier. But I highly doubt that anybody will grade you down if you dont show up in a suit.

4. Get COMFORTABLE shoes. So long as they dont look ratty and are closed toed, you're ok. I wear rubber soled leather shoes instead of pumps or dress flats. Some places may let you wear sneakers, again, it depends on the setting.

Star

 

I'm wondering about cold feet (literally!) during interview tours. Anybody have suggestions on warm, yet stylish footwear for those dead of winter East Coast interviews?