Women's Interview Clothing #3!
Started by Geekchick921
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Just because they're sold as coordinated sets doesn't mean they're formal enough for a professional business interview. I would give you the same advice if you were interviewing on Wall Street. If Anna Wintour was interviewing you for a job at Vogue, the advice would be completely different.
But it this should not be interpreted to mean that it will make a hill of beans difference in your acceptance to medical school.
As I mentioned above, for some of you, this thread is simply about fine tuning. Icing on the cake, if you will. wearing a coordinated suit rather than a matched set is not going to change someone's opinion about you when it comes to sending out acceptances.
You can paint things with a broad brush and state that the Northeast is likely to be more conservative and that you can get away with more color in Texas and the south, But the differences are on an individual basis. There are clearly going to be some medical school faculty who don't care or have no idea what's appropriate because they can barely dressed themselves. Then you have others who do you notice the little details.
Thanks again @wingedscapula! Your insight is very helpful.
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I think I should clarify: I have received many private messages about this topic. For many it's clear they need a lot of help and their choices are clearly outside the bounds of what's appropriate for any professional interview.
Others are more fashion savvy and can veer from the straight narrow and generally are on the right track. These applicants are almost always going to be well received in a fashion choice that is off-center from the conservative advice. This is because they know how to put themselves together and otherwise appear and behave professionally and have a high level of comportment.
It's not possible to respond individually to everyone and so I think what most of us are trying to do in this thread is to present the safe choices. As I commented privately to one of the more fashion savvy users who is contemplating wearing a dark green gabardine suit: as soon as I post in this thread that it's okay to wear a green suit someone is going to bust out a Kelly or neon green choice which is unacceptable.
That absolutely makes sense! I think there's always a component of people having to make the best decision for their style/themselves in these situations and that may result in something more conservative than they were originally considering or perhaps something with a little more flair. It all depends but it's great to have some guidelines on what's generally acceptable and appropriately professional 🙂
Yes this has been covered frequently.
I'm not sure that you need to be bringing your wallet or a bunch of keys but if you prefer a purse it should be structured, proportional to your body size, leather or a good facsimile of, and preferably match your shoes. please do not bring a bag so large that we wonder what the heck you're carrying in there.
You may bring a portfolio but again I'm not sure it's necessary to bring both a purse and a portfolio lest you look too laden down.
Pantyhose should be nude although a very sheer black is appropriate in the winter.
Okay, scary discovery.
I tried on a pencil skirt for the first time (ordered from J. Crew) and it makes me look waaaaaaay too bootylicious.
Is this how they are supposed to look? I'm a size 0-petite so I'm not that curvy, but I'm not sure if this is really appropriate. And are they supposed to be below the knee? This one is a solid 3 inches above.
https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/suiting/super120s/PRDOVR~86013/86013.jsp
Also, second discovery. The suit jacket doesn't really look right with it. Are there special short-er suit jackets for pencil skirts? Most of the ones I see have 3/4 length sleeves. Is that okay? Or not formal enough?
Did not expect this to be so difficult.
I want to wear a skirt because I am short and I think a pants suit makes me look like a kid dressing up in her dad's clothes (even though I'm 24) But I also am not trying to look like I want to sleep my way into med school.
Help?
I tried on a pencil skirt for the first time (ordered from J. Crew) and it makes me look waaaaaaay too bootylicious.
Is this how they are supposed to look? I'm a size 0-petite so I'm not that curvy, but I'm not sure if this is really appropriate. And are they supposed to be below the knee? This one is a solid 3 inches above.
https://www.jcrew.com/womens_category/suiting/super120s/PRDOVR~86013/86013.jsp
Also, second discovery. The suit jacket doesn't really look right with it. Are there special short-er suit jackets for pencil skirts? Most of the ones I see have 3/4 length sleeves. Is that okay? Or not formal enough?
Did not expect this to be so difficult.
I want to wear a skirt because I am short and I think a pants suit makes me look like a kid dressing up in her dad's clothes (even though I'm 24) But I also am not trying to look like I want to sleep my way into med school.
Help?
J Crew is definitely cut for less curvy figures. You can be a size 0 petite and slim but find that the cuts there just don't fit right.
Skirts should be at the knee when you're sitting down. However it is true that many places sell them quite short and this season in particular, suit jackets have been at the top of the hip with shorter sleeves. This is definitely more of a fashion look than a traditional suit.
You might try sizing up or not getting the petite at J.Crew and seeing if that doesn't work better for you in terms of length and body consciousness.
Also J crew tends to style or show their skirts and trousers being worn at the hip rather than the natural waist.
So if you're pulling the skirt up to your natural waist it will be much shorter than what theyre showing online.
So if you're pulling the skirt up to your natural waist it will be much shorter than what theyre showing online.
Thank you so much! I am sending this back and trying the regular instead of petite. And is it okay to have a 3/4 length jacket if the rest of it is pretty traditional (black/emerald sheer shell/skirt at the knee etc.?)
That is good to know!
The three-quarter length sleeves are less traditional of course. Personally I much prefer them because I love to wear a feminine bracelet with them.
In general for most people I would recommend full length sleeves but for a more petite woman shorter sleeves may work better for you. In addition if the rest of the outfit is conservative and you're confident and look like you feel good then it should be fine. The only thing that gives me pause is the term sheer when referring to your shell. LOL.
oh my gosh! I meant shiny, not actually see through! That's embarrassing. Jeez, that really would look like I was trying to sleep my way in.
Hey, whatever it takes. ;-)
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I have a potentially really silly question... I am going to an interview soon in which I am leaving for the airport immediately after the day concludes. My carry-on item is my backpack (I'm still in undergrad), which is canvas and a bit beat up -- but nothing ratty or terrible or anything. Will it look horribly unprofessional to bring my suitcase and backpack into the admissions office at the start of the day? Of course I'd leave it in there during the events of the day, but I don't want to get points docked for bringing my casual carry-on backpack into the admissions office at all.
Note -- I know people leave luggage in the admissions office all the time. My concern is more about the fact that I don't just have a suitcase, I have a casual blue backpack as well.
Note -- I know people leave luggage in the admissions office all the time. My concern is more about the fact that I don't just have a suitcase, I have a casual blue backpack as well.
Backpacks have become common in these situations. As long as everything else is professional, I wouldn't sweat it.
Phew! Thank you! 🙂 It's my top choice school, and I just don't want to mess it up with something as silly as a backpack.
Phew! Cause that would have been a major disappointment. Thanks for the reassurance 🙂
How do you feel about covering up the tattoo for the interview day with makeup just in case? I know in some instances schools will "size" you for white coats, and at that point, you take off your suit jacket for fit. I have had friends with tattoos tell me that for interviews they apparently put lipstick on it and then used cover up/foundation over the lipstick? It sounds strange to me, but I would suggest experimenting with it if you are worried about it. Just a thought though.
Actually I hope you mean "sheen" like a silk blouse rather than shiny like lame.
Hi, would this be too bright and/or blingy?
https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...16d8055501ae6b/m_525efacdf816d8055501ae6e.jpg
Are neons completely out? I wouldn't pick chartreuse or anything, but this blue or a coral might be refreshing. Maybe a Tiffany blue. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Do the pockets on this make it look too casual?
https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...249072c20108aa/m_52eff0dd2d249072c20108ac.jpg
And one more: what's the opinion on neckline bows? This one is more subdued than some others I've seen that require tying.
https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...4f280584067624/m_5417ca50de4f280584067628.jpg
I would be wearing with a black skirt suit. Thanks!
https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...16d8055501ae6b/m_525efacdf816d8055501ae6e.jpg
Are neons completely out? I wouldn't pick chartreuse or anything, but this blue or a coral might be refreshing. Maybe a Tiffany blue. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Do the pockets on this make it look too casual?
https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...249072c20108aa/m_52eff0dd2d249072c20108ac.jpg
And one more: what's the opinion on neckline bows? This one is more subdued than some others I've seen that require tying.
https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...4f280584067624/m_5417ca50de4f280584067628.jpg
I would be wearing with a black skirt suit. Thanks!
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If those are studs on the collar/cuffs, then yes "too blingy".
True neons are out but a bright coral or blue is fine, IMHO.
It does make it more casual but since your jacket will be on, they wouldn't be visible.
I like it. Some of the others tend to look too "70s secretary" and not in a good way.
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Thanks so much. On the last point, I understand that something like this would be out: https://dtpmhvbsmffsz.cloudfront.ne...620371260994be/m_53f4d0dd26620371260994c0.jpg ?
Not necessarily. I might not care for that blouse personally but there's nothing really wrong with it (I was referring to something more like this ).
I have recently seen some deal breaker outfits. Do not wear a mostly see-through, stretch lace, skin tight, sleeveless top without a jacket. There is no MCAT score that will redeem this level of cluelessness and vulgarity.
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Lace
Sleeveless
but not see-through or skin-tight!
Mine was way worse than this.
Lace
Sleeveless
but not see-through or skin-tight!
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We've had a couple of "mini skirts" and ill fitting suits (NB: if you've put on weight during medical school, get a new suit please). Nothing exciting (yet); residency interviews tend to be less fashion faux pas filled.
The color here is more subdued than the top in question, and this neckline is higher.Don't tell me it was like this?
I actually kind of like it...
On your grandmother's doctor?
That I would not want to see on my grandmother's doctor.
Yes.
I cannot see the need for anything more than a notebook and pen, if anything at all.
**HELP!!!!!!**
I have an interview at Texas Tech University on Friday for the DPT program. Should I wear a blazer? - I planned to wear dress pants, a nice blouse, and closed-toed, short heels. It's way too hot in Texas right now for a blazer but I'm seeing that everyone else is saying that they're going to wear them... do I need a blazer to look professional??? Or do you think it will matter?
THANK YOU!!!
I have an interview at Texas Tech University on Friday for the DPT program. Should I wear a blazer? - I planned to wear dress pants, a nice blouse, and closed-toed, short heels. It's way too hot in Texas right now for a blazer but I'm seeing that everyone else is saying that they're going to wear them... do I need a blazer to look professional??? Or do you think it will matter?
THANK YOU!!!
I got the blazer 🙂 Thanks!
I need some help regarding what kind of suit to wear for my interviews. I've never worn a suit before and I was wondering if I could get away with wearing either of the below suits. Both pants are simple but the blazers have different details, like the darker collar on one and the puffy shoulders on the other.
I want to look professional but also add a personal touch to my outfit. I plan to wear plain short heel black shoes with no jewelry and possibly a small purse. I am concern that this kind of suit is not conservative enough and it will make me look unprofessional.
Thanks in advance for the help!
I want to look professional but also add a personal touch to my outfit. I plan to wear plain short heel black shoes with no jewelry and possibly a small purse. I am concern that this kind of suit is not conservative enough and it will make me look unprofessional.
Thanks in advance for the help!
In regards to the one on the left, I feel like the pants need to end at or below the ankle. I like the middle one the most personally. Can't really judge the one on the right without a full pic, but I wonder if those cap sleeve details are not conservative enough?
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Those puff sleeves have to go.
Depending on your bust, #1 is hazardous. #2 is shiny in the pic, a little sheen is ok, though.would any of these tops be acceptable? For the sleeveless, I would keep my blazer on
