Quick Attire Question.

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

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I don't have a suit. However, I do have a really nice navy blazer and lots of well fitting chinos and dress pants.
Are the following acceptable for an interview or is a suit really necessary. I don't own a suit because I prefer wearing a variety of pants with a nice blazer.

I can piece together the following outfits with that I have already:

 

[peridotthecat]

wear a suit.

 

[peridotthecat]

The men's interview clothing thread can give you more specifics, but anything less formal than a suit is not recommended
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/mens-interview-clothing-3.842733/

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Please no.

 

[Mongoosie]

Wear a Suit.
Wear a suit.
Pls wear a suit?
It can even be navy!

Go here to see what those in the past have done.

 

[QueenAudrey]

It's only acceptable if you accessorize with Ray-Bans, five o'clock shadow, gingham checked dress shirt, skinny tie, and no socks. The no-socks piece is key.







9/10 troll points because people actually believed you.

 

[peridotthecat]

It's only acceptable if you accessorize with Ray-Bans, five o'clock shadow, gingham checked dress shirt, skinny tie, and no socks. The no-socks piece is key.







9/10 troll points because people actually believed you.

We sure it's a troll though? Wouldn't be the first time someone's asked something that was already answered 3 times on the first page...

 

[QueenAudrey]

Searrrrch...funnnnctionnn?
*pauses for a moment to think*
Naw, never heard of it.

 

[Bumblenest]

Just buy a suit? You can use it for so many other occasions, should be a staple in every man's wardrobe. Will be a worthwhile investment in not just interviews but life

 

[Petrichor1]

yea that's something I would advise for someone going on a trip to italy and posing as a model while there. You're going to feel so out of place when your group has people adhering to the traditional dress code (not that you can't experiment). The socks appearing at the bottom make it seem you wore an age old pant that you should have donated a long time ago. Plus, it would be super tight and uncomfy when you sit down.

 

[Mongoosie]

If nothing else, having a suit is useful if you kill yourself over not getting into medical school. I mean, after all, they have to bury you wearing something nice.

Ah, but see that is where the "really nice blazer and well fitting chinos" come in. If you're already dead yourself, you might as well kill the fashion game.

 

[Chelsea FC]

Why cant these guys wear pants of correct size ?? I could never get that style.

Also the guy in the first pic sport coat is too long as his shirt isnt showing at the sleeve. Guy in the second pic should put a dimple in his tie and look like a grown up (the tie has enough material for it).. The guy on the bottom left sport coat is way too tight you can see it in his sleeve and not cool tight but I borrowed it from my little brother tight. The old dude on the right looks the best 🙂

 

[QueenAudrey]

Okay, so this isn't necessarily pinpointed at OP. I'm sure @SpaceHamsterBoo is a nice, intelligent, talented individual. I still think he made this thread for fun. But when people ask questions with obvious (or easily searchable) answers, I can't help but picture:

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

#1: Clear winner of the award for most punchable face

#2 and #3: Dead heat for douchiest hipster award

#4: The "Are you related to Donald Trump?" award

#5: Okay the old asian guy looks awesome.

That should tell you something when it only looks good on old Asian guys.

 

[DocMcMommy]

The lack of socks seriously disturbs and distracts me.

The blisters and smell...

 

[LivMoore]

I was about to comment on the "no-socks". It's all I could look at... Doesn't look professional or comfortable.

 

[Chelsea FC]

No socks is actually fine depending on the shoes. I rock boat shoes all the time and I think anyone who wears these with socks are 80 years old and live in Florida. The style rule is the same with the moccasins in these pics. Its weird to actually wear these with socks than without.

 

[Atom612]

After ignoring the same question asked multiple times on the last page of the men's interview clothing thread you asked it again. After being told no, you decided to make a new thread about it?? Did you honestly expect a different answer? Look, in the end I suspect you're going to wear whatever you want. Just keep in mind that you already have evidence that adoms have a different fashion sense then you.

Traditionally, physicians are a conservative bunch. When you walk into a room where the faculty are professionally dressed like the above picture, you aren't going to wow them with your "superior" style. First impressions are key. You can lament over the fairness of it all you want, but if you look anything like the pictures you posted come interview day you will likely make that first impression a bad one. Not want you want to do on one of the most important days of your life.

No one's saying you can't dress like your first post after you get into medical school. But you need to be able to observe the formalities and etiquette expected of a professional. That begins by proving you're capable of doing so to the adoms on interview day.

If you're capable of scraping up enough money for multiple"well fitting" alternative outfits, you should be able to afford to go to your local goodwill and get a decent used suit. Get navy or charcoal if you can find them and you'll stand apart from the majority of black suit wearing applicants you'll be interviewing with.

Just my $0.02 since you keep being told no but continue asking anyway.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[james11]

One thing you could do is just buy a pair of dress pants that match your favorite blazer. It's technically a faux pas but most academic medicine types don't know/care enough to tell you're not wearing a suit per se

 

[raf1ki]

No socks is actually fine depending on the shoes. I rock boat shoes all the time and I think anyone who wears these with socks are 80 years old and live in Florida. The style rule is the same with the moccasins in these pics. Its weird to actually wear these with socks than without.

We're talking about interview attire here

 

[Chelsea FC]

We're talking about interview attire here

Thought we already established it was a bad idea. My comments were made as a general critique of the pictures.

 

[WheezyBaby]

If nothing else, having a suit is useful if you kill yourself over not getting into medical school. I mean, after all, they have to bury you wearing something nice.

🤣

savage af, this took me so off guard coming from you

 

[Crayola227]

It's only acceptable if you accessorize with Ray-Bans, five o'clock shadow, gingham checked dress shirt, skinny tie, and no socks. The no-socks piece is key.







9/10 troll points because people actually believed you.

you were too generous with the points, otherwise agree 100%

 

[aalamruad]

I don't have a suit. However, I do have a really nice navy blazer and lots of well fitting chinos and dress pants.
Are the following acceptable for an interview or is a suit really necessary. I don't own a suit because I prefer wearing a variety of pants with a nice blazer.

I can piece together the following outfits with that I have already:

OP sounds pretty financially well-off (and perhaps has some troll vibes), but we should probably answer the question in a way that will be useful to people reading this thread who genuinely can't afford to buy a suit. I know of a couple people who wouldn't be able to afford food if they spent money on a suit, and they were able to piece together outfits by shopping around at second-hand stores. Granted, they couldn't find perfectly tailored and perfectly matching jacket/pants combos (one had ill-fitting khaki pants with a dark blue blazer), but they both got multiple acceptances in spite of sticking out a bit during interviews. If you're at all capable of affording a real suit, go that route, but if not then don't feel discouraged or embarrassed by all the posts saying that you absolutely need one.

Another option could be borrowing a suit from a friend who's a similar size. A friend of mine borrowed one of my suits for a job interview and it worked out perfectly. Our case was fortunate since we're almost the exact same size, but it's something to consider at least.

Anyone who has other advice or tips on how to dress appropriately on a super tight budget should chime in.

 

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

OP sounds pretty financially well-off (and perhaps has some troll vibes), but we should probably answer the question in a way that will be useful to people reading this thread who genuinely can't afford to buy a suit. I know of a couple people who wouldn't be able to afford food if they spent money on a suit, and they were able to piece together outfits by shopping around at second-hand stores. Granted, they couldn't find perfectly tailored and perfectly matching jacket/pants combos (one had ill-fitting khaki pants with a dark blue blazer), but they both got multiple acceptances in spite of sticking out a bit during interviews. If you're at all capable of affording a real suit, go that route, but if not then don't feel discouraged or embarrassed by all the posts saying that you absolutely need one.

Another option could be borrowing a suit from a friend who's a similar size. A friend of mine borrowed one of my suits for a job interview and it worked out perfectly. Our case was fortunate since we're almost the exact same size, but it's something to consider at least.

Anyone who has other advice or tips on how to dress appropriately on a super tight budget should chime in.

1. Not a troll.
2. Not financially well off...oldest of 6 siblings, first generation immigrant, first generation college student, parents are stay at home mom and blue collar dad. All my clothes are thrifted from Goodwill/Sal Val/Etc...I may dress well but it's because of my sense of style, frugality and know how.
3. I made this thread as a necessity...I just don't have 500-800 laying around for a basic entry level decent suit that's form fitting, well constructed of wool, necessary tailoring and the other items needed such as a nice pair of shoes, matching belt, etc when It would be much more frugal for me to make do with what I have...

 

[peridotthecat]

1. Not a troll.
2. Not financially well off...oldest of 6 siblings, first generation immigrant, first generation college student, parents are stay at home mom and blue collar dad. All my clothes are thrifted from Goodwill/Sal Val/Etc...I may dress well but it's because of my sense of style, frugality and know how.
3. I made this thread as a necessity...I just don't have 500-800 laying around for a basic entry level decent suit that's form fitting, well constructed of wool, necessary tailoring and the other items needed such as a nice pair of shoes, matching belt, etc when It would be much more frugal for me to make do with what I have...

Do you have time before you start interviewing? If so, I'd look for second hand suits-Goodwill, Ebay, etc. if you're on a budget, it's better to get a good quality, second-hand suit that you can tailor rather than a cheap, off-the-rack suit that you'll probably have to tailor anyways. Look for fit across the shoulders and extra length/fabric at the ankles and sleeves. For more specifics, I'd go to the men's interview thread-if you're willing to listen, they'll give you great advice!

 

[WheezyBaby]

1. Not a troll.
2. Not financially well off...oldest of 6 siblings, first generation immigrant, first generation college student, parents are stay at home mom and blue collar dad. All my clothes are thrifted from Goodwill/Sal Val/Etc...I may dress well but it's because of my sense of style, frugality and know how.
3. I made this thread as a necessity...I just don't have 500-800 laying around for a basic entry level decent suit that's form fitting, well constructed of wool, necessary tailoring and the other items needed such as a nice pair of shoes, matching belt, etc when It would be much more frugal for me to make do with what I have...

Better to spend 200 and get a true entry level suit ($800 is not an entry level suit). Reasonably fitting appropriate attire is better than well fitting inappropriate attire. It needs to be a suit. FWIW, if you know your measurements, you can buy a secondhand suit online for pennies on the dollar. Wouldn't do that if they didn't accept returns though

 

[aalamruad]

1. Not a troll.
2. Not financially well off...oldest of 6 siblings, first generation immigrant, first generation college student, parents are stay at home mom and blue collar dad. All my clothes are thrifted from Goodwill/Sal Val/Etc...I may dress well but it's because of my sense of style, frugality and know how.
3. I made this thread as a necessity...I just don't have 500-800 laying around for a basic entry level decent suit that's form fitting, well constructed of wool, necessary tailoring and the other items needed such as a nice pair of shoes, matching belt, etc when It would be much more frugal for me to make do with what I have...

Fair enough, I didn't mean any offense but it sounded like you're doing just fine from the OP. I don't know anyone who's truly broke who has "a really nice navy blazer" or "lots of well fitting chinos and dress pants." Not to mention you said the reason you don't have a suit is simply because you prefer wearing a variety of pants with a nice blazer, without mentioning any financial reasons. And you posted a bunch of pictures of expensive outfits and said you have all the clothes you need to assemble those outfits. Plus you think that a basic entry level suit costs $500-800. I'm sure you can see why you don't seem too financially troubled.

 

[SpaceHamsterBoo]

Fair enough, I didn't mean any offense but it sounded like you're doing just fine from the OP. I don't know anyone who's truly broke who has "a really nice navy blazer" or "lots of well fitting chinos and dress pants." Not to mention you said the reason you don't have a suit is simply because you prefer wearing a variety of pants with a nice blazer, without mentioning any financial reasons. And you posted a bunch of pictures of expensive outfits and said you have all the clothes you need to assemble those outfits. Plus you think that a basic entry level suit costs $500-800. I'm sure you can see why you don't seem too financially troubled.

yes a brand new suit that's well constructed...100% wool, little to no lining, minimal padding, soft tailoring, no fused pieces, etc costs a pretty penny...obviously I'm not stupid in regards to finances or fashion...I just wanted a general opinion.

Fit > brand name...just because I have pieces that fit similar to the outfits in the pictures, doesn't mean I spent a lot...it means i perhaps scoured over articles at goodwill and got lucky.

 

[WheezyBaby]

yes a brand new suit that's well constructed...100% wool, little to no lining, minimal padding, soft tailoring, no fused pieces, etc costs a pretty penny...obviously I'm not stupid in regards to finances or fashion...I just wanted a general opinion.

Since when does entry level suit mean those things? Does the wool need to be loro piana as well? I love suits, and I agree that 500 is around the minimum you're looking at for those features in a suit, but if you don't have the money you need to either thrift shop or drop the pretense and get a reasonably cut fused suit. They exist, and they're perfectly serviceable for med school interviews

 

[Med Ed]

yes a brand new suit that's well constructed...100% wool, little to no lining, minimal padding, soft tailoring, no fused pieces, etc costs a pretty penny...obviously I'm not stupid in regards to finances or fashion...I just wanted a general opinion.

Interviewer algorithm for men's attire:
Is the young man wearing a suit? [Y] [N]
[Y] = good

Does the suit look like it was purchased from this website? [Y] [N]
[N] = good

That's about it, although I will say it can be somewhat endearing when an applicant of little apparent means shows up in an ill-fitting suit that was either a hand-me-down or purchased off the rack from a Target/thrift shop.

 

[redferrari]

WAFS. You can interpret what that acronym means...

 

[mistafab]

Money is not in the 500-800 level for a decent suit.

I got in wearing a suit purchased at JC penny for 115$ plus 30$ worth of tailoring. It doesn't cost much to have a suit you can wear to an interview.

As a side note, it is a good idea to have at least 2 suits in your collection. Real suits. One more formal, one less so. It doesn't take much preperation, yet society and a med school expects you to have clothes for these occasions.

1. Not a troll.
2. Not financially well off...oldest of 6 siblings, first generation immigrant, first generation college student, parents are stay at home mom and blue collar dad. All my clothes are thrifted from Goodwill/Sal Val/Etc...I may dress well but it's because of my sense of style, frugality and know how.
3. I made this thread as a necessity...I just don't have 500-800 laying around for a basic entry level decent suit that's form fitting, well constructed of wool, necessary tailoring and the other items needed such as a nice pair of shoes, matching belt, etc when It would be much more frugal for me to make do with what I have...