women's interview attire

[psipsina]

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I was really against the whole idea of a skirt suit, but I was battered and attacked by some of the ladies I work with who said that a woman who is serious about an interview wears a skirt. So I figured, I didn't want to not get into medschool because some grumpy old man was offended by my pants, so I gave in and bought a skirt suit . . .oh my god its gorgeous! I'm so happy I went with it, I in no way look frumpy which was my fear, its hot in a very conservative way! (according to my husband at least)

 

[gujuDoc]

I'm not applying this year, so won't need it yet, but I actually have two suits....a pant suit that is black with a slightly longer jacket. The jacket goes a little bit past the hips. And then I have a skirt suit which I have from my highschool days (i needed it for some scholarship interviews and conventions I was going to) in an offwhite color. I am not a big fan of skirts, but I think that if that day comes in a year or two, after I do my masters, then I'll probably be going with the skirt suit. Back when i wore it in highschool for the scholarship interview, I wore it with a collard shirt, but I think it looks nicer with shells.

BTW, for anyone looking for a new suit, now is the best time to go out and start looking because it is the fall season and this is the time when Suits, especially dark colored suits, are back in season.

 

[SpeedRacer]

Not that I have a perfect body, but God has been generous up top and left me with a small waist. I tend to look good in a calf-length tailored skirt with a matching blazer and crisp shirt than a pants-suit. When I make it to the interview stage (someday), I think I'm going to opt for that, especially if I know my interview committee will be all or mostly male. It's a great way to show off the "assets" while being very modest. Plus, I'm a sassy redhead!

woah...i didn't even know you were female

 

[tigress]

Is there a reason why dark green is a bad color choice for a suit? I remember seeing somewhere that people said this. The suit I want is on backorder in brown, but they have it in black and green. Somehow black seems too blah. But dark green seems a little weird. So I'm not sure what to do.

 

[Avenue Q]

Is there a reason why dark green is a bad color choice for a suit? I remember seeing somewhere that people said this. The suit I want is on backorder in brown, but they have it in black and green. Somehow black seems too blah. But dark green seems a little weird. So I'm not sure what to do.

I think hunter green is a no-go for men, i'm not sure about women. I don't particularly like it, or at least, I don't like it on me, but other people can pull it off. I guess what's weird about it for me is that a suit should be a flexable garment that can be worn with lots of different colored shirts or whatever. Green seems a lot less flexable than black/navy/grey/brown.

How long do you think it will take to get the brown? If not, given your options, I would either take the black or find something else. There is something slightly odd about green (but thats just my tastes).

By the way, how long a skirt did you find?

 

[Saluki]

My suit is grey with a black shell to wear under it. I'm beginning to wish I'd picked another color like navy blue or green, because I'm rather a pale person (especially when I'm nervous) I think I'm going to look more like I belong in the morgue than med school. My skirt comes right down below the knees I think.

 

[tigress]

I think hunter green is a no-go for men, i'm not sure about women. I don't particularly like it, or at least, I don't like it on me, but other people can pull it off. I guess what's weird about it for me is that a suit should be a flexable garment that can be worn with lots of different colored shirts or whatever. Green seems a lot less flexable than black/navy/grey/brown.

How long do you think it will take to get the brown? If not, given your options, I would either take the black or find something else. There is something slightly odd about green (but thats just my tastes).

By the way, how long a skirt did you find?

Yeah, I realized they also have the jacket in brown in a smaller size, so I'm thinking of getting that. I'm not sure, but I have to decide very soon so I can order it! The skirt is 29", which is a few inches below the knee. Actually, I'm going to PM you if you don't mind.

 

[ShyRem]

Hmm. I look like death in a black suit (I'm VERY pale with darker brown/auburn hair), but I do have one.. in a non-flat black fabric pattern and a non-standard cut of the suit. I look much better in jewel tones, and i have a ruby/wine red suit, a dark forest green suit, a charcoal grey pantsuit, and two deep amethyst purple suits. All are very professional looking and look good on me. I also look horrible in above-the-knee suits 'cuz I have blocky knees, so most all of my suits are below-the-knee with two mid-calf length. I got them all on ebay, they're all 100% wool, fully lined, gently used (but you can't tell), and the most I paid for any one of them was $18.

Unfortunately, the only shells or suit shirts i have been able to find have been the boring white, ivory, ecru, or black (which is fine with the colored suits). I also have a nice over-the-shoulder tote in wine, and I'm looking at a pair of beautifeel shoes (Myra style in black with a nice low 1" heel) but at $170 I'm in a bit of sticker shock.

 

[tigress]

Hmm. I look like death in a black suit (I'm VERY pale with darker brown/auburn hair), but I do have one.. in a non-flat black fabric pattern and a non-standard cut of the suit. I look much better in jewel tones, and i have a ruby/wine red suit, a dark forest green suit, a charcoal grey pantsuit, and two deep amethyst purple suits. All are very professional looking and look good on me. I also look horrible in above-the-knee suits 'cuz I have blocky knees, so most all of my suits are below-the-knee with two mid-calf length. I got them all on ebay, they're all 100% wool, fully lined, gently used (but you can't tell), and the most I paid for any one of them was $18.

Unfortunately, the only shells or suit shirts i have been able to find have been the boring white, ivory, ecru, or black (which is fine with the colored suits). I also have a nice over-the-shoulder tote in wine, and I'm looking at a pair of beautifeel shoes (Myra style in black with a nice low 1" heel) but at $170 I'm in a bit of sticker shock.

I've been too wary of buying clothes on ebay. It really works out? Your suits sound nice.

 

[Thundrstorm]

I'm going suit shopping tonight. 😱 I never wear suits b/c they just don't seem to suit my body type well (the jacket will pucker in one place and gape in another), but I'm hoping I can find something. I've got $200, so it better be affordable too.

 

[ShyRem]

Tigress, it really worked out. All smelled brand new, freshly laundered. The pantsuit needed a small amount of work: A button replaced and a small hole in the inside corner of a pocket. But for $11, I didn't really care about that. The others were absolutely perfect. The sellers provided measurements and sizes, and were dead on. I altered two suits slightly to best suit my shape, but even if I had to take it to a seamstress, the suits are very high quality and easily altered.

Besides, I figured for less than $20 it was worth the risk.

 

[moomoo1]

Must we wear pantyhose with a skirt suit?

 

[45408]

i have short hair..i mean short...i'm a kickboxer and it just makes sense for my sport...how can i make myself look more feminine for the interview...i have a suit with a skirt and pants (for colder months), I don't have pierced ears...

like an inch long? you could start letting it grow out for a little while.

 

[45408]

Not that I have a perfect body, but God has been generous up top and left me with a small waist. I tend to look good in a calf-length tailored skirt with a matching blazer and crisp shirt than a pants-suit. When I make it to the interview stage (someday), I think I'm going to opt for that, especially if I know my interview committee will be all or mostly male. It's a great way to show off the "assets" while being very modest. Plus, I'm a sassy redhead!

I'm having trouble envisioning this. Can I get a visual?

 

[yaya]

My suit is grey with a black shell to wear under it. I'm beginning to wish I'd picked another color like navy blue or green, because I'm rather a pale person (especially when I'm nervous) I think I'm going to look more like I belong in the morgue than med school. My skirt comes right down below the knees I think.

Maybe you could try a fake tan, one of those spray on things would be okay

 

[yaya]

Maybe you could try a fake tan, one of those spray on things would be okay

Oh and it'd make your legs look slimer 😉

 

[lexy10]

like an inch long? you could start letting it grow out for a little while.

I'd say about an inch and a half, perhaps two...truth be told it looks a lot better short than "growning out" and it's not as if it is going to gain any real length by the time i start interviewing...
On the other hand I do have feminine features and slender body...there is no mistaking me for a man...
I guess i was more looking for advice on clothing to go for or stear clear of... should i wear a small necklace or is better just to be an absolute minimalist and wear no jewlery...that type of thing

 

[anystream]

I'd say about an inch and a half, perhaps two...truth be told it looks a lot better short than "growning out" and it's not as if it is going to gain any real length by the time i start interviewing...
On the other hand I do have feminine features and slender body...there is no mistaking me for a man...
I guess i was more looking for advice on clothing to go for or stear clear of... should i wear a small necklace or is better just to be an absolute minimalist and wear no jewlery...that type of thing

what about long blonde hair? wear up, down, ponytail?

 

[tigress]

what about long blonde hair? wear up, down, ponytail?

Blonde hair is difficult, because even if nobody wants to admit it, there are going to be interviewers that won't take you seriously because you're a blonde. This is magnified if you happen to also be pretty. Because obviously pretty blonde women can't be intelligent. 🙄 I'd avoid a ponytail, especially one that's too high, but a nice low ponytail with a barrette might be nice and professional looking. Whatever you choose, check with a few people to see if they think you look professional. good luck 🙂

 

[gujuDoc]

I'd say about an inch and a half, perhaps two...truth be told it looks a lot better short than "growning out" and it's not as if it is going to gain any real length by the time i start interviewing...
On the other hand I do have feminine features and slender body...there is no mistaking me for a man...
I guess i was more looking for advice on clothing to go for or stear clear of... should i wear a small necklace or is better just to be an absolute minimalist and wear no jewlery...that type of thing

I second the person who said go to a hair stylist in the area and see what they may suggest. They may be able to suggest something to make your hair make you more femme looking.

 

[SuzieQ3417]

what about long blonde hair? wear up, down, ponytail?

I am in the same situation....medium/long blonde (almost platinum) hair. I hate that you really do get stereotyped for looking this way, but I am not going to change my hair color...genetics made me blonde, and seeing my sister's mishap of trying to go darker has frightened me away from that idea. 🙂 I even contemplated wearing my glasses to interviews as opposed to my normal contacts, just to try and present myself as someone who is serious, but I feel much more comfortable in contact lenses. I would like to leave my hair down, but I will probably end up pulling it back into a low ponytail. We should be able to do whatever we want with our appearances with no effect on our admissions chances, but unfortunately we live in a society where people are judged on appearances, so we must take these minute details into consideration.

 

[pagemmapants]

I'm pretty much convinced that every girl looks professional with their hair pulled into a barrette (black? tortoiseshell? No silver) at the nape of their neck. Ponytails any higher than that might look young or frivolous; hair down is very difficult to keep sleek/smooth and keep from becoming too unruly; half-up reminds me of middle school (but maybe that's just my own bias).

Poor blondes. I used to be one of you guys when I was little, but my hair decided it wanted to be auburn instead. (Honestly! Strictly natural change!) Weird. Then again, I do understand what you mean - one of my friends is seriously platinum blonde naturally with big blue-green eyes and a body like a swedish swimsuit model and NOBODY takes her seriously. She's applying to law school.

I'm rambling. Oh yeah - if you wear lip gloss/stick, I'd suggest not wearing anything colored unless you're quite practiced with it - could get on your teeth.

 

[crys20]

lol how about this i just BECAME a blonde on purpose, how conveinent, in the month before 2 interviews! i sooo don't care though, i think it actually fits with my personality better, and that is the personality i'm going to show to the interviewers. if you're confident that deep down your the kind of person they should accept, why not just be that person you know. 🙂 but i am definately doing a low, clip type thing. not letting it all hang down because its so long, but a little twisty type thing, very low, with a clip and maybe even a skinny black professional looking headband to slick back my pseudo bangs...what do yall think about that?

 

[lexy10]

my sister has long blond hair... when she has an interview or important meeting she wears it in a very conservative bun that is rather low and not too tight...keeping it clean but out of the way

 

[chattkis]

What does everyone think about a long jacket? I have a tan suit (peach blouse underneath). Pants and a jacket that goes to just above the knee. I know that the "in" style now is really short jackets so I am worried. Wow, why do i worry about this stuff.

 

[MrBurns10]

Now, let's talk about hair!

For girls with long/medium length hair, should we leave it down, put it half up, or all up like a bun?

Any thoughts/experiences? 🙂

I asked the pre-med dean at my school about all this stuff; she highly recommended I wear my hair back (and my hair is only medium length). I commented that I was afraid it would appear casual, but she said it's a good idea to keep it out of your face and they won't think you're any less professional. In fact, it's more distracting for them if you keep having to move hairs from your face. About shoes...I bought heels because they looked the best, but I HATE heels; they're uncomfortable and awkward as hell. Any other shoe suggestions I should consider that would look good with a dark skirt suit?

 

[waterlily]

i dont like how my hair looks in a ponytail. Forget about a bun even! I can't do a sleek, sophisticated bun for the life of me. When I wear my hair up to get it out of my face, I usually just do those messy knots. That's the best bun I can do lol. I always wear my hair down, so I think I will wear it half up for interviews. Hopefully, that's still professional enough.

 

[abigail314]

Any other shoe suggestions I should consider that would look good with a dark skirt suit?

So I just went shoe shopping for the first time (I worked at Payless for 2 years, so by this I mean I was planning on spending more that $15!!!!!) Anyways, I went to BAKERS and found some super comfortable and decent priced dressy shoes, one MaryJane and one Loafer - heels, but only like 1.5 inches. Highly recommend practicing wearing whatever shoes you choose, trucking around a med school is not the time for blisters!

 

[pagemmapants]

Anyone know of any good stick-on or self-adhesive type things you can put on your heels for traction? I'm 5'2" and I think at least a little heel is pretty much REQUIRED if I don't want to be directed to the undergrad campus (or a nearby middle school), but I don't want to be going base over apex every time I have to walk down a few stairs.

Suggestions?