Women's Interview Clothing (thread #2)

[Druzie]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

I like bright colours. They bring attention to the face and make things more cheerful... especially in the winter. 👍

 

[ami1983]

IMHO, bright colors look immature in this arena. bring on the disagreements!

 

[violet7]

I wouldn't dress in bright colors 🙂 You never know, it may be the color that your interviewer hates or it just irritates him/her subconciously...why risk by providing just another reason to dislike you (even if subconciously 🙂

At the same time, I'm not a big fan of conservative black/grey suits and white/blue shirts...I think your clothes should reflect something about you, but in a smart and thoughtful way... if I were on Amissions Committee (and who knows maybe I will be one day, lol) I would definitely judge applicants by the way they dress (in addition to other things, of course). Someone wearing ordinary black-and-white-no personality suit may seem too boring and uninteresting to me... just another cookie-cutter applicant. Of course what you say will probably overshadow the way you dress, but still... some people say that it takes 3 seconds to make a good first impression, so why miss this chance by wearing boring and impersonal clothes.

 

[ami1983]

i'm not against color- i just think pale/muted colors look better, perhaps even stripes if you're so inclined. and i've seen lots of nice shades of gray/brown for suits that allow you to break away from the standard black.

and i 100% agree about the first impression- i mean, it sucks but people judge on appearance. someone that is well put together gives the vibe that they care enough put in extra effort.

 

[diosa428]

At the same time, I'm not a big fan of conservative black/grey suits and white/blue shirts...I think your clothes should reflect something about you, but in a smart and thoughtful way... if I were on Amissions Committee (and who knows maybe I will be one day, lol) I would definitely judge applicants by the way they dress (in addition to other things, of course). Someone wearing ordinary black-and-white-no personality suit may seem too boring and uninteresting to me... just another cookie-cutter applicant. Of course what you say will probably overshadow the way you dress, but still... some people say that it takes 3 seconds to make a good first impression, so why miss this chance by wearing boring and impersonal clothes.

Let's hope that by the time you make it on an admissions committee, you've realized that there's way more to an applicant than how they choose to dress.

Seriously guys, as long as you look well put together and professional, it doesn't matter what colors you're wearing, or how bright they are. Some people look better in certain colors and they should wear whatever they feel comfortable in and is flattering.

 

[Jonesie]

...why miss this chance by wearing boring and impersonal clothes.

Because there is no room on the AdCom evaluation for "fashion sense" beyond whether the candidate looks and behaves in a professional and appropriate manner. It's an interview, not a fashion show. Dress conservatively.

 

[violet7]

Let's hope that by the time you make it on an admissions committee, you've realized that there's way more to an applicant than how they choose to dress.

Seriously guys, as long as you look well put together and professional, it doesn't matter what colors you're wearing, or how bright they are. Some people look better in certain colors and they should wear whatever they feel comfortable in and is flattering.

It's obvious that med school interview is not a fashion show, and I never said that I would judge solely based on applicant's appearance or the way they dress...in fact I think judging based on appearance is wrong because you can't change it, but judging based on what you wear makes sense because it shows who you are and whether you know how to present yourself favorably... essentially medical school interview is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions committee...so if you can turn your appearance into additional selling point...why not???

 

[ami1983]

Let's hope that by the time you make it on an admissions committee, you've realized that there's way more to an applicant than how they choose to dress.

Seriously guys, as long as you look well put together and professional, it doesn't matter what colors you're wearing, or how bright they are. Some people look better in certain colors and they should wear whatever they feel comfortable in and is flattering.

as violet said, there are subconcious factors at play when an adcom sees you.

 

[lol.psych]

I wore a brightly colored shirt to two of my interviews. In fact, I looked pretty damn good, if I say so, myself! It was a pink/purple collared shirt (not blind-you-and-give-you-seizures bright, but not grey-ish at all) under a dark grey pinstriped pantsuit. There were others with non-muted colors at my interviews, as well. To my other two, I wore a black skirt suit with 1) a maroon collared shirt, 2) a light/medium pinkish/salmon-ish(more on the pink side) collared shirt.

Wear what you're comfortable in, and what you feel most "Hell yeah! I'm gonna kick this interview's ass (without being a d*ck about it)!" in. If that means wearing black and white, do that. If it means wearing grey and pink, do that. As long as they don't get the impression that you're incapable of dressing professionally, you're fine.

 

[diosa428]

as violet said, there are subconcious factors at play when an adcom sees you.

Which is why I stated applicants should dress professionally - which will always be true. But whether your shirt is bright or muted? Not going to matter. Whether you have red nail polish or pink? Also not going to matter. Not even subconsciously, if you are put together properly.

 

[diosa428]

It's obvious that med school interview is not a fashion show, and I never said that I would judge solely based on applicant's appearance or the way they dress...in fact I think judging based on appearance is wrong because you can't change it, but judging based on what you wear makes sense because it shows who you are and whether you know how to present yourself favorably... essentially medical school interview is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions committee...so if you can turn your appearance into additional selling point...why not???

#1 - You CAN change your appearance. Lose some weight, cut your hair, put on makeup. One could argue that appearance is as important as clothing, if you're going to be judgemental about how people look. Also, if you're going to argue that people have subconscious reactions to people, I'm willing to bet that they are just as likely to react poorly to someone who is overweight and put together well as someone who is skinny and not put together well, because that's how society works.

#2 - Yes, I agree that applicants should look professional... which is what I stated in my post. But you guys weren't arguing about professional vs unprofessional, you were arguing about whether or not an applicant should wear a bright shirt. Which is certainly not unprofessional.

 

[Dr Lyss]

#1 - You CAN change your appearance. Lose some weight, cut your hair, put on makeup. One could argue that appearance is as important as clothing, if you're going to be judgemental about how people look. Also, if you're going to argue that people have subconscious reactions to people, I'm willing to bet that they are just as likely to react poorly to someone who is overweight and put together well as someone who is skinny and not put together well, because that's how society works.

Oh man that sucks. I knew that freshman 15 would come back to bite me in the ass 🙄

 

[lol.psych]

#1 - You CAN change your appearance. Lose some weight, cut your hair, put on makeup. One could argue that appearance is as important as clothing, if you're going to be judgemental about how people look. Also, if you're going to argue that people have subconscious reactions to people, I'm willing to bet that they are just as likely to react poorly to someone who is overweight and put together well as someone who is skinny and not put together well, because that's how society works.

#2 - Yes, I agree that applicants should look professional... which is what I stated in my post. But you guys weren't arguing about professional vs unprofessional, you were arguing about whether or not an applicant should wear a bright shirt. Which is certainly not unprofessional.

1) Doctors, of all people, know that not all forms of weight loss are healthy. With this huge national (and global) drive to be ultra-thin, doctors know the horrors that can come from trying to be a weight that your body is not comfortable with. In any case, it doesn't matter how fat or thin you are, within limits (those being the limits of healthy vs. unhealthy, which nobody can determine without looking at your medical history and bloodwork, anyway, so whatever), as long as you are self-aware and know how to dress yourself, in the most basic sense. For example, don't wear clothes that are too big or too small, wear clothes that fit and flatter your body type. A person with a BMI of 26 who wears clothes that are her size and fit well will look much better than a person with a BMI of 20 who wears inappropriately sized clothes (that either make her look like a sac of potatoes or like she's about to go clubbing).

2) I agree with you. Professional attire doesn't necessarily exclude bright clothing, and doesn't necessarily include bland clothing.

 

[diosa428]

1) Doctors, of all people, know that not all forms of weight loss are healthy. With this huge national (and global) drive to be ultra-thin, doctors know the horrors that can come from trying to be a weight that your body is not comfortable with. In any case, it doesn't matter how fat or thin you are, within limits (those being the limits of healthy vs. unhealthy, which nobody can determine without looking at your medical history and bloodwork, anyway, so whatever), as long as you are self-aware and know how to dress yourself, in the most basic sense. For example, don't wear clothes that are too big or too small, wear clothes that fit and flatter your body type. A person with a BMI of 26 who wears clothes that are her size and fit well will look much better than a person with a BMI of 20 who wears inappropriately sized clothes (that either make her look like a sac of potatoes or like she's about to go clubbing).

True, but so what? Do you honestly think an interviewer is going to subconsciously go through all these thoughts? When people judge people subconsciously, it has nothing to do with whether or not they KNOW it's right or wrong, as they generally don't know that they're doing it in the first place, hence, subconscious.

Also, just because some methods of weight loss are unhealthy doesn't mean all are. There are plenty of healthy ways to lose weight, and I certainly did not suggest that people should crash diet or develop an eating disorder, or even lose any weight before an interview. I'm simply arguing that appearance CAN be changed, and MAY affect how one is viewed.

 

[diosa428]

And, for those of you who probably think I'm simply being judgemental, here are two articles discussing discrimination of obese people by employers when hiring employees:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...nel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

 

[Dr Lyss]

couldn't the same argument be made based on looks? I'm guessing more attractive people have an edge than the less desirables... but that's why most acceptances are done via committee and not just one person single handedly choosing everyone. Yea it might have a slight effect but I have to believe that being above a size 9 will negate my positive remarks in an interview. Impression is important but substance is more important.

 

[lol.psych]

Regarding this whole weight thing:

Yeah, people do make subconscious judgments.
There will likely be as many subconscious "she looks good, I want her at my school!" thoughts as "that pretty thin chick, I bet she thinks she's hot ****. I'm not going to give her the satisfaction of getting in here" thoughts.

So... yeah! Go committees!!

The point, after all this talk: look clean and professional, have a confident attitude (without being cocky), and show your best soon-to-be-a-med-student self (whatever that means for you).

 

[diosa428]

couldn't the same argument be made based on looks? I'm guessing more attractive people have an edge than the less desirables... but that's why most acceptances are done via committee and not just one person single handedly choosing everyone. Yea it might have a slight effect but I have to believe that being above a size 9 will negate my positive remarks in an interview. Impression is important but substance is more important.

The same argument could be based on anything... which was my original point... which leads back to - it's silly not to wear bright colors just because you think that someone might subconsciously judge you. As long as you look neat and professional, you're fine. Anything else that you might be judged on (weight, looks, hairstyle, being female, wearing a skirt suit, whether or not you're wearing earrings, whether or not you're wearing a wedding ring, etc) is something that you cannot predict in advance and should not be something you worry about.

 

[Dr Lyss]

The same argument could be based on anything... which was my original point... which leads back to - it's silly not to wear bright colors just because you think that someone might subconsciously judge you. As long as you look neat and professional, you're fine. Anything else that you might be judged on (weight, looks, hairstyle, being female, wearing a skirt suit, whether or not you're wearing earrings, whether or not you're wearing a wedding ring, etc) is something that you cannot predict in advance and should not be something you worry about.

LoL so I'm wearing a grey suit with a silky metallic blue shirt underneath. I think I can rock it.

 

[ar2388]

LoL so I'm wearing a grey suit with a silky metallic blue shirt underneath. I think I can rock it.

oo photo? sounds really nice

 

[Druzie]

I feel bad but there was a girl at my interview yesterday who wasn't wearing a suit. She stuck out like a sore thumb. I felt really bad for her, because she was sweet but it must have been torturous to be surrounded by twenty other people in suits.

On another note, I think I've decided pant suits are the only way to go for me. Lots of girls yesterday were wearing skirts and, while they looked nice standing or walking, when they sat down their skirts rode up to like mid-thigh and they looked really uncomfortable.

I've lost weight or something cos my pants are too big for me.

 

[smiles87]

Hey guys, what do you all think about cowlneck tops underneath a suit? I know it sounds odd, but when I tried it on, it looked professional and added a little twist to the traditional suit. Though I'm afraid it may be looked at as too "trendy."

Heres one from BR:

http://www.bananarepublic.com/browse/product.do?searchCID=25789&pid=633768&scid=633768012&vid=-1

 

[ar2388]

if its like the one in the link, then i think ti would be very cute.

 

[bluesmd]

do we have to button the top button. is it okay if we just leave it open?

and what about bag vs portfolio vs both?

 

[LizzyM]

do we have to button the top button. is it okay if we just leave it open?

and what about bag vs portfolio vs both?

I think that it is fine to unbutton the top button. Do avoid a plunging neckline (unbuttoned or deep cut) that shows cleavage.

 

[searun]

I think that it is fine to unbutton the top button. Do avoid a plunging neckline (unbuttoned or deep cut) that shows cleavage.

Not to be a contrarian (in matters unrelated to the stock market), but I am compelled to point out that there are people who appreciate a tasteful display of cleavage in a well tailored garmet. It demonstrates a certain self confidence and a lack of self consciousness that can be very appealing, especially in formal settings.

 

[beachblonde]

Here's a PSA for all my fellow ladies who are interviewing in your brand new suits:

You know that "X" stitch on the pleats & vents of your suit? They are to keep it nice and flat for retail purposes only. As in, you need to take the two stitches out after you buy the suit, and before you wear it. You will look silly if you walk around with the pleats still sewn shut, especially if the thread is a different color than the rest of your suit!

I have been to five interviews where at least one girl hadn't taken out the tacks on her suit. Just like how guys need to cut off the tag on the sleeve/wrist, you need to remove the tacks!

Just a friendly reminder from the resident fashionista. 🙂

 

[Jolie South]

Here's a PSA for all my fellow ladies who are interviewing in your brand new suits:

You know that "X" stitch on the pleats & vents of your suit? They are to keep it nice and flat for retail purposes only. As in, you need to take the two stitches out after you buy the suit, and before you wear it. You will look silly if you walk around with the pleats still sewn shut, especially if the thread is a different color than the rest of your suit!

I have been to five interviews where at least one girl hadn't taken out the tacks on her suit. Just like how guys need to cut off the tag on the sleeve/wrist, you need to remove the tacks!

Just a friendly reminder from the resident fashionista. 🙂

haha, i saw that quite a bit last year as well.

 

[sidalexis]

So I have an interview tomorrow and it's going to be quite cold here in DC. Does anyone know if it's appropriate to wear a dress wool coat over a skirt suit? I don't want to freeze!

 

[mezmerized7]

Of course you can wear a nice wool coat. Chances are inside the building will be warm so you can actually take off the coat for your interview. Please don't freeze your ___ off.🙂 It's also better to be comfortable for your interview...👍

Good luck!!

 

[searun]

Absolutely, just take off your nice wool coat before the interview, but why am I telling you that, you know that. Make sure that your makeup (be subtle) and hair look good before the interview, take a deep breath, relax, and have fun. Make eye contact with your interviewer, do not flirt, overtly, and give precise well reasoned responses to the questions that you are asked. You will be fine.

 

[Carlin]

At a recent interview, one of my fellow interviewees asked me if I had had my suit custom made. It was off-the-rack at an outlet store, but that certainly made me feel good about the way I looked! 😀

 

[Sangria]

These questions have probably been covered in this super long thread, but here we go again:

1. Is it ok to use a handbag instead of a portfolio? I would bring a pretty small leather purse. Do most people have portfolios though?

2. I saw some post saying that we should bring flats to the tour. Where would you put these flats during the interview

Thanks!

 

[Deepa100]

I am a non-trad, 5'4'' tall, 108 lb weight. In spite of my age and one pregnancy, my weight has not changed much (thanks to long distance running). I have a cute suit from Petite Sophisticated which I only wore couple of times but it is 7-8 yrs. old. It has shoulder pads. I am not sure if this is in style any more. I did pay about 300 bucks for it back then. I still fit into it pretty well. Should I still get a new suit? I always wore skirts but may be I will look into pants this time...

 

[tabrazinski]

I am a non-trad, 5'4'' tall, 108 lb weight. In spite of my age and one pregnancy, my weight has not changed much (thanks to long distance running). I have a cute suit from Petite Sophisticated which I only wore couple of times but it is 7-8 yrs. old. It has shoulder pads. I am not sure if this is in style any more. I did pay about 300 bucks for it back then. I still fit into it pretty well. Should I still get a new suit? I always wore skirts but may be I will look into pants this time...

not having seen it, i'm gonna have to go ahead and say that shoulder pads are no longer in style. don't know if they're very prominent ones or more subtle, but i haven't seen a suit with them in it. the other things to think about would be the number of buttons on the jacket 2-3 is normal i think, and a suit with a skirt is totally fine, or you could go the pants route. keep in mind with pants, that a straight leg is the norm (maybe even a little wider), but that anything pleated or with a tapered leg is going to look a little dated.

which is not to say that you should go out and buy a new suit. if you like the one you have, and you think it looks good, then whatever, who cares. also take into account that the people who are interviewing you might not be really up-to-date on what's in fashion. it's important to have a suit. occassionally you'll run into a girl who isn't and she always looks uncomfortable and out of place, but as long as you're wearing one, you'll be fine.

i have worn this:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting/woolgabardine/PRDOVR~96273/96273.jsp

with a light-weight cashmere crew neck sweater underneath and a teal belt (instead of the cami).

 

[tabrazinski]

These questions have probably been covered in this super long thread, but here we go again:

1. Is it ok to use a handbag instead of a portfolio? I would bring a pretty small leather purse. Do most people have portfolios though?

2. I saw some post saying that we should bring flats to the tour. Where would you put these flats during the interview

Thanks!

1. i did not have a handbag or a portfolio, but other girls carried purses, and it was a non-issue. (some of the boys had a portfolio, but the first thing they do is give you a folder, so there's really no need.)

2. you could keep them in your purse. there was time between my tours and interviews to change shoes. i didn't do a ton of walking, so you might be okay in heels, as long as they're not killer.

 

[Deepa100]

not having seen it, i'm gonna have to go ahead and say that shoulder pads are no longer in style. don't know if they're very prominent ones or more subtle, but i haven't seen a suit with them in it. the other things to think about would be the number of buttons on the jacket 2-3 is normal i think, and a suit with a skirt is totally fine, or you could go the pants route. keep in mind with pants, that a straight leg is the norm (maybe even a little wider), but that anything pleated or with a tapered leg is going to look a little dated.

which is not to say that you should go out and buy a new suit. if you like the one you have, and you think it looks good, then whatever, who cares. also take into account that the people who are interviewing you might not be really up-to-date on what's in fashion. it's important to have a suit. occassionally you'll run into a girl who isn't and she always looks uncomfortable and out of place, but as long as you're wearing one, you'll be fine.

i have worn this:

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Shop_By_Category/suiting/woolgabardine/PRDOVR~96273/96273.jsp

with a light-weight cashmere crew neck sweater underneath and a teal belt (instead of the cami).

Thanks, that link really helps. I am not much into shopping but this interview thing is definitely worth spending some effort on!

 

[ar2388]

i actually used one of my moms "old" suits for my interviews. they had shoulder pads but not the obnoxious ones.l why dont you post a pic here and we can help?

 

[beachblonde]

I am a non-trad, 5'4'' tall, 108 lb weight. In spite of my age and one pregnancy, my weight has not changed much (thanks to long distance running). I have a cute suit from Petite Sophisticated which I only wore couple of times but it is 7-8 yrs. old. It has shoulder pads. I am not sure if this is in style any more. I did pay about 300 bucks for it back then. I still fit into it pretty well. Should I still get a new suit? I always wore skirts but may be I will look into pants this time...

A tailor can take out the shoulder pads and put in smaller, less obvious ones (they serve a function still, many suits still have them but they aren't the crazy 80's ones). It'll be far cheaper for that alteration than buying a new suit!

And a skirt suit is fine-especially if you're a runner and your legs are in good shape. Pants are fine, as well. But if you can update your older suit (so long as it's in good shape) you might as well.

 

[Sangria]

Another question- appearance, not clothing related

I have long hair and I don't really know how to do anything to it (other than a ponytail or leaving it down), anyone know something simple yet professional that I could do to my hair?
Thanks

 

[beachblonde]

Another question- appearance, not clothing related

I have long hair and I don't really know how to do anything to it (other than a ponytail or leaving it down), anyone know something simple yet professional that I could do to my hair?
Thanks

As long as your hair is under control (flat ironed or hairspray or something) you can leave it down, if you want. I don't know how long your hair is, but I'm assuming that it's not waist-length (in which case, well....I would suggest finding a hairstylist!).

You can put your hair into a low ponytail, twist it up into a bun, and secure with some bobby pins (you can get extra large ones that will fit the width of the bun). Simple and easy. French twists look really nice, but I've never been successful with doing those on my own.

 

[ar2388]

i always want to do something to my hair beyond the hair down, ponytail, or bun options but can never do it properly. lol. i wish i knew how to french braid my hair and stuff...
for itnervioews, i usually do a messy bun sort of thing. my hair is shoulder blade length and id rather not leave it down in case it gets messy and in the way. but a messy bun is nice in that it doesnt look too stiff but not as casual as a ponytail

 

[beachblonde]

i always want to do something to my hair beyond the hair down, ponytail, or bun options but can never do it properly. lol. i wish i knew how to french braid my hair and stuff...
for itnervioews, i usually do a messy bun sort of thing. my hair is shoulder blade length and id rather not leave it down in case it gets messy and in the way. but a messy bun is nice in that it doesnt look too stiff but not as casual as a ponytail

The problem with a french braid is that unless you're 1) in elementary school, 2) on a high school/college athletic team, or 3) riding a horse, you might look a little silly.

I religiously french braided my hair for soccer and track, but nowadays it looks little odd on my 20-something year old self. I wouldn't recommend the style for interviews, either.

 

[ar2388]

The problem with a french braid is that unless you're 1) in elementary school, 2) on a high school/college athletic team, or 3) riding a horse, you might look a little silly.

I religiously french braided my hair for soccer and track, but nowadays it looks little odd on my 20-something year old self. I wouldn't recommend the style for interviews, either.

haha fair enough. my friend has long, insanely gorgeous blond curly hair and a french braid looks outstanding on her.. lol

 

[Deepa100]

i actually used one of my moms "old" suits for my interviews. they had shoulder pads but not the obnoxious ones.l why dont you post a pic here and we can help?

I tried but I need to resize the pics. Meanwhile, I found a real cute skirt and blazer which fits perfect but it has a bit of glitter in it. Do you think it will be ok? I will post the pics soon, as soon as I can.

 

[Deepa100]

Here are the pics. The black skirt and blazer are the old ones.

 

[coffeebeanjenn]

I tried but I need to resize the pics. Meanwhile, I found a real cute skirt and blazer which fits perfect but it has a bit of glitter in it. Do you think it will be ok? I will post the pics soon, as soon as I can.

I think the glittery one is too much for an interview during the day (but definitely a good find for evening events). I think the other two suits look great and don't seem too outdated. That's the nice thing about buying suits that aren't too trendy--they still work 8 years later! You can "update" the outfit with a shirt or shell in an in-season color and a cute pair of shoes. I'm a big fan of the jewel-tones that are in stores right now. The suits that I own I bought 5 years ago, and they were simple enough that they work for anything I need them to today.

 

[tabrazinski]

I think the glittery one is too much for an interview during the day (but definitely a good find for evening events). I think the other two suits look great and don't seem too outdated. That's the nice thing about buying suits that aren't too trendy--they still work 8 years later! You can "update" the outfit with a shirt or shell in an in-season color and a cute pair of shoes. I'm a big fan of the jewel-tones that are in stores right now. The suits that I own I bought 5 years ago, and they were simple enough that they work for anything I need them to today.

i agree, the middle one is a little much, but the other two look perfectly fine.

also, to the people talking about hair... i like to rock the side part. looks sleek, and then i pull it back into a pony, but it's not as casual.

 

[Druzie]

Ooh, I like the side part too! 👍

Maybe my personal taste, but I think the most *modern* professional style these days is to wear hair down or in a low ponytail. Clean and simple is best. (I like my hair big and messy, but even I have toned it down for "professional" settings.) As said before, what's most important is that it looks neat and is out of your face (you should have no reason to touch or play with it). If you have to, use bobby pins or a headband to achieve the latter.

 

[jancutie15]

Is the shirt collar supposed to be outside? Is it okay if the sleeves show? I am short and all the shirts i have tried on have long sleeves even the petite....