Women's Interview Clothing (thread #2)

[snitchseeker88]

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Wow. I have a dark grey suit/colored blouse combination too...I didn't think I'd stand out that much, but now I'm a little worried. lol.

 

[CupcakeMD]

Hey girls,

How do you plan on bringing an extra pair of walking shoes? A school that I'll be interviewing at will have a 2 hour walking tour (their hospital is huge, I heard). Will you guys be bringing a big purse? Or a suit case?

I was only planning to bring my leather folder because all of my purses look too casual :\

Also, what would be appropriate walking shoes with a suit? Sandals probably won't work, right? Would black flats be okay?

 

[lstone13]

I plan on putting some simple but comfortable black flats in my purse. If I feel the need to change shoes for the tour, I will excuse my self to the restroom, then change shoes.

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

If you have attractive, athletic looking legs, then wear a skirt. If you have cankles, then wear pants. Accentuate your best attributes, and cover up the rest.

 

[searun]

Yes, exactly, the woman in your photo should wear a pants suit to her med school interview, for obvious reasons. Her cankles would be a serious distraction. And those shoes, well, those shoes have got to go.

 

[ChemEngSoonMD]

Yes, exactly, the woman in your photo should wear a pants suit to her med school interview, for obvious reasons. Her cankles would be a serious distraction. And those shoes, well, those shoes have got to go.

Hey, fat people need love too. I don't think that should stop what they want to wear.

 

[searun]

Hey, fat people need love too. I don't think that should stop what they want to wear.

Of course, some plus size women are quite lovely. I have seen photos of some very attractive plus size models, for example. It is just a matter of high lighting your best features, perhaps a tasteful display of cleavage to draw the eye, in the case of the woman with the cankles.

 

[Wheee]

my suit is dark grey and i wore a blue shirt underneath. i was SHOCKED at how wild i looked compared to all the other females at my interview yesterday. and trust me, i looked pretty conservative.

god, premeds are boring 😛

that's what I though too! One of the girls in my group had a bright tropical blue shirt under her jacket, but everyone else was pretty neutral/boring. I, on the other hand, wore a ruffled blouse. I really don't know if it's an "acceptable" look, but I thought it looked good and was in a subdued color, but I was definitely the only one not in a button up. They just don't lay right on me under a jacket.

 

[Rach83]

that's what I though too! One of the girls in my group had a bright tropical blue shirt under her jacket, but everyone else was pretty neutral/boring. I, on the other hand, wore a ruffled blouse. I really don't know if it's an "acceptable" look, but I thought it looked good and was in a subdued color, but I was definitely the only one not in a button up. They just don't lay right on me under a jacket.

I was thinking of going for slight ruffles in a somewhat muted color. I think they can be really pretty if done right. I'm curious to see what everyone will look like at my interviews. 🙂

 

[Ilovewater]

I wore a dark gray suit with a dark pink shirt...I think I was the only one who wasn't wearing black and white on the interview day.

The other girl in my group didn't even wear a suit. She wore a knit sweater, a pair of semi-formal pants, and peep toe shoes with metal thingies on them....

 

[tea1018]

When you girls say "shirt" do you mean buttoned-up collar blouse? I have a dark grey (almost black) pant suit, black shoes and was thinking of a light purple silk shell. Is that too informaL?

 

[LizzyM]

Shells are fine. Just be sure that your top (button front or otherwise) is not too sheer or too low cut.

It sounds like grey is the new black and I couldn't be happier. For a decade the waiting room has looked like a wake.

 

[dw2158]

When you girls say "shirt" do you mean buttoned-up collar blouse? I have a dark grey (almost black) pant suit, black shoes and was thinking of a light purple silk shell. Is that too informaL?

mine is neither a shell nor a button down. it's not exactly like this, because i got in on "final sale" from spring season's clothes, but it's kind of similar in cut:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5042&vid=1&pid=691165&scid=691165012

the color of the one i have is much more tropical blue, not so purple. but you get the idea. moral of the story: i don't think shells and whatnot are too informal. in fact, i think button downs tend to look flight attendant-ish. blech.

Shells are fine. Just be sure that your top (button front or otherwise) is not too sheer or too low cut.

It sounds like grey is the new black and I couldn't be happier. For a decade the waiting room has looked like a wake.

i don't know, the waiting rooms at my interviews so far have definitely still lived up to "wake" standards 😎

 

[ksmi117]

mine is neither a shell nor a button down. it's not exactly like this, because i got in on "final sale" from spring season's clothes, but it's kind of similar in cut:

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=5042&vid=1&pid=691165&scid=691165012

the color of the one i have is much more tropical blue, not so purple. but you get the idea. moral of the story: i don't think shells and whatnot are too informal. in fact, i think button downs tend to look flight attendant-ish. blech.



i don't know, the waiting rooms at my interviews so far have definitely still lived up to "wake" standards 😎

My shirt looks a lot like that. 🙂 And yes, my waiting room experiences have been very wake-like

 

[AGLAIA]

I have an interview next week so was trying out my suit again the other day and decided that the jacket seems more boxy to me now than I remember it being. It makes me feel like I look like I'm borrowing my daddy's suit... especially when I tried it with my slacks I love the skirt, though, and the blouse I bought. How important is it to have the skirt and jacket matching in the fabric? I'm trying to figure out if I should go shopping again and return this jacket.

Thanks.

Edit: Never mind. I got some advice from some of my MD friends.

 

[dw2158]

I have an interview next week so was trying out my suit again the other day and decided that the jacket seems more boxy to me now than I remember it being. It makes me feel like I look like I'm borrowing my daddy's suit... especially when I tried it with my slacks I love the skirt, though, and the blouse I bought. How important is it to have the skirt and jacket matching in the fabric? I'm trying to figure out if I should go shopping again and return this jacket.

Thanks.
http://render5.snapfish.com/render2...Up7BHSHqqy7XH6qgXJQQoP|Rup6aQQ|/of=50,221,442


http://render5.snapfish.com/render2...Up7BHSHqqy7XH6qgXJQQPn|Rup6aQQ|/of=50,265,442

can't see the pics...

 

[AGLAIA]

.

 

[lstone13]

In case you guys are still looking for suits, I have found that Express and Victoria's Secret make very good looking, form-fitting suits at decent prices.

 

[exeunt]

what do you guys think of white suits? no go?

 

[dw2158]

what do you guys think of white suits? no go?

i'm assuming you mean off-white, or white with some sort of texture... i think plain white suits are tacky and miami-vice-ish. :shudder:

either way, i'd say it's a no-go. if you're interviewing in the winter (even if you're down south) white would be weird. up north a lot of people extend the no white shoes rule to cover things like suits after labor day.

 

[tea1018]

Question about hair: did you get a haircut before the interview? I have long layered hair that reaches mid back. Do I tie it back for the interview (does not look good), cut it to a more professional length or just spray it so it's not in my way?

 

[lstone13]

i'm assuming you mean off-white, or white with some sort of texture... i think plain white suits are tacky and miami-vice-ish. :shudder:

either way, i'd say it's a no-go. if you're interviewing in the winter (even if you're down south) white would be weird. up north a lot of people extend the no white shoes rule to cover things like suits after labor day.

I totally agree. "Winter-white" or off-white suits appropriate for fall/winter weather would be okay. Regular white is only for spring/summer. In my opinion, white doesn't look as professional and generally is considered to be a more casual business look.

 

[Jolie South]

Hey girls,

How do you plan on bringing an extra pair of walking shoes? A school that I'll be interviewing at will have a 2 hour walking tour (their hospital is huge, I heard). Will you guys be bringing a big purse? Or a suit case?

I was only planning to bring my leather folder because all of my purses look too casual :\

Also, what would be appropriate walking shoes with a suit? Sandals probably won't work, right? Would black flats be okay?

I would just wear flats the whole time. I wish I'd done that more. Just make sure they don't have that frumpy, orthopedic shoe look.

 

[Jolie South]

As I was leaving school today, I saw a group of interviewees coming in. I ended up walking behind this girl with a skirt suit. The skirt was so restrictive with such a small slit that it look like she was just shuffling her feet to walk. The few minutes that I was following behind her she kept tugging at the skirt as well.

Please make sure you get a suit that fits and allows you to move.

 

[lastcall]

I plan on putting some simple but comfortable black flats in my purse. If I feel the need to change shoes for the tour, I will excuse my self to the restroom, then change shoes.

I wish I had done this. After my interviews for 2 straight days, my toe was bleeding and another is now a dark purplish color. Hurt like hell too. I'm throwing those heels away.

 

[Rach83]

How much exposed foot (if any) is acceptable? Peep toe? Couple toes? Sling-back? I'm guessing anything other than a touch of a toe or two is overboard but wondering what you girls think.

 

[AGLAIA]

How much exposed foot (if any) is acceptable? Peep toe? Couple toes? Sling-back? I'm guessing anything other than a touch of a toe or two is overboard but wondering what you girls think.

Generally speaking, I think all hospitals have a dress code requirement of close-toed shoes for their employees. It's probably best to stick to that. I'm sure there is little risk of body fluid exposure during a medical school interview, but respecting a facility's dress code is a good thing to do. (That said, you can check the dress code of the schools where you are interviewing.)

 

[Rach83]

Generally speaking, I think all hospitals have a dress code requirement of close-toed shoes for their employees. It's probably best to stick to that. I'm sure there is little risk of body fluid exposure during a medical school interview, but respecting a facility's dress code is a good thing to do. (That said, you can check the dress code of the schools where you are interviewing.)

Good thinking. Looks like I'll need to spend more money on shoes now! 🙁 Damn this is getting expensive....

ETA: lol, hopefully there will be no body fluid exposure.

 

[Kneige]

I have read a lot of posts and have found no answer to my question. I just bought a pant suit and am worried about the fit around my butt. What is acceptable for formal wear? Should the pants come down straight from the widest part of the gluts or is it acceptable for the fabric to contour around the whole butt? I know the pants shouldn't fit like jeans...what I have now doesn't fall straight from the widest part of my butt but contours around. There is some room where my butt becomes the thighs though. I'm sorry if it's too graphic...I just don't know how to explain it better. I just want to know what it should look like from the side and back for women formal wear. Can anybody help?

 

[Jolie South]

If you have a big butt, you have a big butt. I think you should just try to find something that has more room in the rear. As long as you avoid the "clubbing" pants look, you should be ok.

 

[lstone13]

I have read a lot of posts and have found no answer to my question. I just bought a pant suit and am worried about the fit around my butt. What is acceptable for formal wear? Should the pants come down straight from the widest part of the gluts or is it acceptable for the fabric to contour around the whole butt? I know the pants shouldn't fit like jeans...what I have now doesn't fall straight from the widest part of my butt but contours around. There is some room where my butt becomes the thighs though. I'm sorry if it's too graphic...I just don't know how to explain it better. I just want to know what it should look like from the side and back for women formal wear. Can anybody help?

As long as they are not tight in the thighs, I think you should be fine.

 

[Charcoal]

Hey. I just had a quick question...is it appropriate to wear a business dress with a nice suit top? (example or business dress: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=50133&vid=1&pid=689948 )

 

[lstone13]

Hey. I just had a quick question...is it appropriate to wear a business dress with a nice suit top? (example or business dress: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=50133&vid=1&pid=689948 )

Whenever I asked an adcom member (friend of a friend) this same question, he said no to all business dresses. I love this look, but he claimed that only a skirt suit or pants suit is appropriate.

 

[Charcoal]

Thanks! That is sad to hear but great advice.

 

[Jolie South]

Hey. I just had a quick question...is it appropriate to wear a business dress with a nice suit top? (example or business dress: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=50133&vid=1&pid=689948 )

I think it's too short.

 

[whatuthinkin]

My pants are kinda tight in the ass but loose on the thighs. After a few hours of sitting and walking they stretch out. If your butt becomes your thighs they may be too tight. Then again if you are wearing a jacket the whole time it's probably not that big of a deal.

I have read a lot of posts and have found no answer to my question. I just bought a pant suit and am worried about the fit around my butt. What is acceptable for formal wear? Should the pants come down straight from the widest part of the gluts or is it acceptable for the fabric to contour around the whole butt? I know the pants shouldn't fit like jeans...what I have now doesn't fall straight from the widest part of my butt but contours around. There is some room where my butt becomes the thighs though. I'm sorry if it's too graphic...I just don't know how to explain it better. I just want to know what it should look like from the side and back for women formal wear. Can anybody help?

 

[bel15]

definitely too short. should hit closer to the knees. i wore a skirt about an inch, inch and a half above my knees, and my adviser told me to wear one that hits the knees

I think it's too short.

 

[Charcoal]

Thanks guys. (I was less interested in the length and more interested in whether a dress with suit coat was acceptable -- but according to SDN response, its not.

 

[LizzyM]

Whenever I asked an adcom member (friend of a friend) this same question, he said no to all business dresses. I love this look, but he claimed that only a skirt suit or pants suit is appropriate.

I wouldn't have a problem with a dress & jacket (school in an urban area and north of the Mason-Dixon line).

 

[lstone13]

I wouldn't have a problem with a dress & jacket (school in an urban area and north of the Mason-Dixon line).

I hadn't thought about it, but region really may factor into what is "appropriate" to wear. The person I had asked was from Alabama.

LizzyM, do you think that men and women view what is appropriate for women to wear to an interview differently? I am curious to know what your opinion is.

 

[IhatetheMCATTT]

Does everyone wear a suit?? is it required? I'm really skinny and its super hard for me to find a suit. I found dress pants and was just going to wear it w/ a white button up shirt. is that too unprofessional?? Help!

 

[LizzyM]

I've said it before but it bears repeating... in 10 years I've reviewed over 4,000 interview comments there has been only one instance where a clothing choice scuttled an applicant and that was a low cut, sheer blouse.

I don't know if men see clothing choices differently than women do.... I do know that many of us sit at a desk or a table to do the interview and we don't always notice shoes, etc. because we can't see them from where we are sitting.

 

[snitchseeker88]

Does everyone wear a suit?? is it required? I'm really skinny and its super hard for me to find a suit. I found dress pants and was just going to wear it w/ a white button up shirt. is that too unprofessional?? Help!

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure mostly everyone will wear either a pant or skirt suit. You could wear the dress pants/button up with some sort of suit jacket/blazer on top I suppose...I don't think you need to by the suit as a whole, and you could go with separates. But I think it may look too casual by itself, especially since most people will be wearing a suit. I'm really very tiny too, short and skinny, and it was hard for me to find a suit that fit...in the end I had to buy one and alter it a LOT. If nothing else works you might have to do the same...but even after the alterations, mine looked really nice and professional. Hope that helped a little.

 

[texaslily]

.

 

[tea1018]

hi girls, are you all tying up long mid-back hair? I look quite young when it's tied up...

 

[whatuthinkin]

Looks great!

I would like some comments on my outfit... help please?
These pictures were kind of in a rush, I'm obviously wearing a higher neck blouse and buttoning the jacket. What colors do you recommend for the blouse with this shade of gray? Do the heels look appropriate? Is it necessary to button all 3 buttons or can I get away with 2? Sorry.. my interview is on Friday and I'm a little nervous... thanks girls 🙂

 

[whatuthinkin]

I tie mine up. Why? Cause it's hot, it's out of the way and I think it looks more professional. If you are comfortable with it down then try that. Just decide the morning of... time constraints facilitate aesthetic decisions.

hi girls, are you all tying up long mid-back hair? I look quite young when it's tied up...

 

[Jolie South]

I would like some comments on my outfit... help please?
These pictures were kind of in a rush, I'm obviously wearing a higher neck blouse and buttoning the jacket. What colors do you recommend for the blouse with this shade of gray? Do the heels look appropriate? Is it necessary to button all 3 buttons or can I get away with 2? Sorry.. my interview is on Friday and I'm a little nervous... thanks girls 🙂

I think it looks fine. I'd just make sure that your blouse doesn't show too much. You could wear any color under that; a muted red or blue might be nice. The heels are ok. I'd just make sure that this ensemble is somewhat comfortable, so you're not fidgeting or walking oddly from the shoes.

I also wouldn't worry about the buttoning. You should be ok with just the middle button.

 

[buffywannabe]

Do I have to wear makeup? I never do in normal life. I was thinking just mascara because that is really the only thing someone should be able to tell you are wearing anyway since your makeup is supposed to look natural. my mom says I have to wear it and went out and bought me that bare essentials stuff, but I have to watch a DVD to figure out how to use the stuff... too much work. BTW I don't have pimples.

 

[LizzyM]

Do I have to wear makeup? I never do in normal life. I was thinking just mascara because that is really the only thing someone should be able to tell you are wearing anyway since your makeup is supposed to look natural. my mom says I have to wear it and went out and bought me that bare essentials stuff, but I have to watch a DVD to figure out how to use the stuff... too much work. BTW I don't have pimples.

No, you don't need to wear make-up. Most of the interviewers (female) don't except, maybe, some lipstick.