what to wear to work, ladies?

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CityIvy

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ok, so graduation was last week and i am starting to have dreams about starting work (and also getting nervous). i'm also in the process of buying things and getting ready to move into my new apt. in manhattan. 🙂

my question, to all the ladies, is...what kind of clothes do you wear to work during those hot summer days?
 
CityIvy said:
ok, so graduation was last week and i am starting to have dreams about starting work (and also getting nervous). i'm also in the process of buying things and getting ready to move into my new apt. in manhattan. 🙂

my question, to all the ladies, is...what kind of clothes do you wear to work during those hot summer days?


Hi Ivy!

Enjoy NYC!

Here are my 2 cents. I am, of course, expressing my sense of taste in clothes. Hope, I could help....

On the top: simple but elegant t-shirt/ top with a cardigan (it gets cold in those hospitals, and it gives you a chance to wear a t-shirt)
a summer dress with a cardigan

On the bottom: a skirt below a knee/ or slightly above. Print is absolutely ok, and don't shy away from the colors
a nice pair of cropped pants. Here I would stick to solid patterns
a pair of light summer pants. Remember it is hot-hot-hot in those subways during the summer months

Shoes: it is tough! 😕 I think open toe shoes are ok, if pants are long. There are also modest open toe shoes that will look professional. Of course, comfort is the most important in my book.

Based on your signature, you know NYC and its stores. Loehmann's, Duffy's are always a good bet for a great bargain.

All the best 😀
 
Scrubs. 😀

But for non-scrub wearing types (or those in hospitals that don't allow them), civilian clothes are best. As noted in the post above, most hospitals are cold, so you don't really need to worry about the hot days...matter of fact, in the old days when I was an intern and junior resident I never even knew it was hot outside since I was inside 120 or so hrs per week. But you will be coming in fewer hours and only really have to worry about temperature extremes during your commute.

I would shy away from open toe shoes unless you are absolutely not going to come into any contact with bodily fluids (even Psych ventures into patients rooms occasionally, so I am loathe to think of a specialty which does not).

I would also shy away from skirts for some of the same reasons - kneeling down, sitting down, etc. you don't want to worry about your legs showing too much or getting bodily fluids on them. But again, this depends on what kind of patient contact you will have. I would not wear an above knee skirt on any occasions because the minute you sit down it becomes a mid-thigh skirt which is WAY too short for professional duties. I do not feel much need to wear pantyhose.

The biggest mistake medical students and new residents make is being too casual. Jeans, sweatpants, crop tops, spaghetti straps and the like are NOT appropriate work wear in the medical profession. If you want to wear a sleeveless top, that is fine since you will be covered with a lab coat or cardigan but it should have straps wide enough to wear a bra underneath.

No dangly jewelry which babies can grab (if on a Peds specialty) or which can get tangled up in your stethoscope.

Otherwise, just use your common sense, avoiding the things noted above, and you should be fine.
 
CityIvy said:
my question, to all the ladies, is...what kind of clothes do you wear to work during those hot summer days?
I had to go shopping yesterday because I didn't have any hospital-appropriate summer clothing. Ann Taylor has a bunch of very professional-looking, light cotton, tailored, collared shirts with no sleeves. There were also a lot of very nice tailored pants in light summer fabrics, and everything was very reasonably priced ($20 range for tops, $40 range for pants).

I really highly recommend that store for professional-looking clothing that fits well. I went to a Loft in NJ to escape tax but there are Ann Taylors all over the city as well.

Re open-toed shoes, the psych attendings used to wear them all the time. I can't think of too many other specialties where that would be okay though. Likelihood of spatters or sharps drops is just too high. Also you are probably going to be on your feet a lot, so I would stay away from 'cute little shoes,' again unless you are going into psych.
 
Hey guys, I go to LECOM where we have had to dress professionally from the first day. I will tell you on a student income of nothing THE BEST place to buy great clothes cheap is NEW YORK & COmpany. You can get $50 tops off the clearance racks in the back for $5!!! No joke. I only buy clothes from there. Great deals.
 
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