Fashion Tips for Women

So you’re gonna be a doctor? Better start dressing like one… here are some tips to help you put together a look for the interview season:

1. Wear a suit. This is the safest and most appropriate choice for an interview. The skirt vs. pants debate rages on; however, what really matters is that you find a professional, tailored suit that fits you well. Your suit should be lined on the inside (both jacket and skirt/pants). Unlined suits show every last wrinkle and undergarment line. Not so classy. Some other gems:

• Choose a dark, conservative color: black, charcoal, and navy are best. Lighter gray and dark brown are also okay choices. Solid colors are also ideal, though a subtle shade-on-shade (black pinstripes on a black suit) is okay too.

• If you choose a skirt, it should hit at the knee so that when you’re sitting down, it doesn’t ride up. Believe me, it is so totally NOT thigh time. When trying on suits, make sure you sit down to confirm that the length is correct. A straight skirt or slight A-line looks most professional. Avoid allover pleats or “flouncy” skirts. Also, make sure you can walk and climb stairs in the skirt easily, as you will probably be taking a hospital tour at every interview (yay).

• If you go with a pants suit, it should fit you correctly: straight down, not tight anywhere. Flat front pants tend to be more flattering than pleated pants, and the leg should be straight (no tapers or flares). The waist should hit at or just below your natural waist—leave the low-rise pants on the hanger.

• The shirt underneath should be a fitted button-down with a starched collar. Nothing looks worse than a wrinkled collar that curls up at the corners. Women often wear the collar outside the suit, though you will have to try it both ways and see which looks better and doesn’t bunch/pull. As an alternative, you can wear a sleeveless shell (assuming you have no intention of taking off the jacket). The shell should be made of a high-quality material (thick silk, merino wool, etc.) and cut a straight line no more than 1-3 inches below your sternal notch (i.e. no cleavage, even when leaning over). It’s okay to choose a color other than white or off-white for the shirt underneath, but stay away from brights. A striped pattern is also okay for the collared shirt as long as it’s subtle (one stripe color on one solid color... no multicolor stripes).

• Pantyhose are not optional. You must wear them. Nude hosiery or sheer black depending on your suit color. You may want to carry an extra pair with you in case of runs.

Where to shop: Any large department store. Try Macy's or Ann Taylor to start. I would stay away from suits from super-cheap stores like H&M and Target, as they tend to be made of very thin, synthetic material, and usually unlined (read: wrinkle easily, embarrassing panty lines). If you’re an Amazon shopper like me, you can get a Macy’s suit through them in a minute. Here’s my personal fave:

2. Shoes. Low-heeled, closed-toed pumps in black or dark brown. Make sure they are clean and un-scuffed. Nine West has basic styles in leather for under $100. Target has similar styles made from synthetic materials for under $25- check out the “Wear to Work” section under shoes. Again, from Amazon to you, lickety-split:

3. Jewelry. Keep it simple:
• Necklace: pearls, a small pendant necklace, or thin chain
• Earrings: studs only (diamonds or pearls are best—real or fake), nothing dangly or colorful
• Watch: A delicate formal watch (skinny leather band, small face) looks best. Otherwise, don’t wear a watch.
• Rings: Wedding rings are, of course, appropriate. Otherwise, 1 ring per hand only.
• Bracelet: Unnecessary and potentially distracting.

4. Makeup. Keep it simple (sense a trend?). Matte lipstick looks more professional than gloss. Go easy on the eyeliner and blush.

5. Handbags. These tend to become somewhat of a nuisance on the interview trail, and it looks silly to walk into an interview with your little purse slung over your shoulder. Your best bet is to purchase a black or brown, medium-sized, un-embellished boxy tote or womens briefcase (womens laptop bags work well) with room to hold your resume and application flat (unfolded), as well as room for your personal items. It should be structured enough to stand upright so that when you place it on the ground next to you in the interview, it doesn’t fall over and spill. Your other option is to carry a leather folder with your papers and skip the handbag altogether. Try discount stores like Target (www.target.com) or Kohl’s (www.kohls.com) to find choices from $15-50. This one is simple and to the point:

6. Hair. The main goal is to look neat, polished, and professional. If you have short hair, it’s fine to wear it down as long as it doesn’t fall in front of your face. Long hair should be held back in a clip (because it looks more professional than a ponytail holder). You can buy one for under $5 at any accessories store (like Claire’s).

Keep it professional, keep it conservative and keep it simple.