Having worked in a very, very casual work environment means that I've had a lot of freedom with what I can wear everyday (except for the safety restrictions of needing to wear pants, flat shoes, and a lab coat). With school starting at the very end of July, my closet needs a some additions that I previously didn't have much use for. My school does have a dress code for any time we are on campus (including lecture and studying in the library) - it's as follows:
A clean and well-cared-for appearance should be maintained. Women are required to wear
appropriate dresses of reasonable length or slacks with appropriate blouses. Halter tops, midriff tops, strapless or backless tops or dresses; sundresses, crop pants, capri pants and miniskirts are not permitted. Revealing or tight, form-fitting clothing is unacceptable. Women’s hair must be neat and trimmed at all times, avoiding extreme styles or colors. Excessive body piercing is not acceptable. Women are required to wear shoes or sandals with socks or stockings. Shorts, jeans, T-shirts and sandals with bare feet are not permitted.
So - halter tops, midriff tops, strapless or backless dresses, and mini skirt are not going to be a problem for me. I don't even own any of those things! It seems that ankle pants may be considered cropped pants, which is really unfortunate as I consider ankle pants to be dress pants. The other thing is that when wearing dresses or skirts, I'll need to wear tights. I was a dancer for 14 years, so tights for me are like a death sentence (but partially because I just think of shiny shiny tights). The dress code is what it is, so there isn't much use in complaining about it. Instead I'm going to shop for it!
On my 25th birthday I made a list of 30 things I want to do before I turn 30. One of those items was to own a Chanel bag. I started a savings account where for every paycheck, $25 is automatically transferred into it so I could walk into a Chanel store on my 30th birthday and purchase a bag without any guilt. Unfortunately for my handbag collection, my life has gone in a different direction and I now have different priorities. Since I won't have a paycheck for another 4 years, I am going to cash out that account out and use it to buy my clothes for school. By the time I quit my job in the middle of June, I'll have about $500.
So what do I think I need? I plan on finding the following things:
+ Dress pants: I have never been comfortable in dress pants - they always fit wrong, are too short or too long, and always itchy. I would like to buy a pair of black pants and a pair of dark grey pants. I plan on purchasing them larger and longer and then have them tailored to be exactly what I want. Ideally I would like a pair for heels and a pair for flats - maybe I'll find a great deal on pants I really like and then be able to have both.
+ Skirts: Since I haven't worn many skirts (or really any), I don't really know what I'm looking for here. A black skirt that fits correctly is something I shouldn't be able to mess up too much so again I plan on finding one that either fits comfortably off the rack (doubtful) or find something that can be tailored to what I feel comfortable in. A printed version would be fun too. I did purchase this Banana Republic skirt a few weeks ago when it was on sale for $40, but I feel the certain color of blue and the pattern is kind of limiting (what do you do in the winter?) so I returned it. I did like the fit though so I will make sure to try on more skirts at Banana Republic
+ Cardigans: I'm told our building is pretty chilly, so cardigans for easy layering will be necessary. I realized looking through my closet that I don't have many cardigans. I'd like a few solid colored cardigans that fit well and can easily be mixed and matched with different shirts and bottoms.
+ Printed Blouses: I have a few solid blouses but very few printed (besides my new awesome cat printed blouse). I think a few printed blouses will be easy to mix and match with the solid cardigans and won't be something I have to think a lot about in the morning.
+ Dresses: A few solid dresses that can either be worn alone (preferable with tee-shirt sleeves or long sleeves) or with cardigans/blazers will be something that will be great to have for the warm months and then later to be layered in the winter. I purchased this Gap dress (seen here) this week during the friends and family event - I think it'll be a staple that can go with many different cardigans/blazers.
+ Black Heels: I've mentioned this before, but I don't own any closed toed black heels, and I don't own any heels that I can wear for more than like 20 minutes. A pair with a stable heel (even though my mom hates the thicker heels!) that allows me to walk and be comfortable will be a must.
+ Nude Flats: Goes with everything! Especially with...
+ Tights: ugh. I'm hoping to find a few very thin pairs for the summer and then transition into sweater or fleece lined tights in the fall/winter. Any recommendations for a tall (5'9'') girl?
So. That's the plan. I don't really plan on purchasing many of these things right now unless I happen upon them (like the Gap dress). I will keep a running total in each month's budget recap for the items that are specifically purchased for school. I don't plan on spending all of this money before school starts but I do want a majority of them so I don't have to worry about it once all the studying starts.
I'd love to hear if you've had to work with a similar dress code, and what ended up being staples for you.
I want to make smart purchases when buying these clothes, so there will be lots of trips to the mall and tailor to make sure I get exactly what I want. Is my search for these items something you guys care to hear about or would you rather just know the end result? I don't want to bore you about finding the perfect black heel...unless you're into it.
First of all, that blue gap dress looks so amazing on you! I love the fit and the color. Second, have you visited the med school's campus yet? I ask because if you sat in on a class or walked around campus you probably would get a really good idea of what other people are wearing and how they are wearing it. Specifically, I noticed they don't mention jeans anywhere. They say no halter tops but they refer to pants as "slacks" which, in my grandma's speak, can range anywhere from dress pants to jeans, so maybe they just mean they want you to dress modestly? Also they say "blouses" which in my grandma's speak can mean anything from a non-revealing t-shirt to a regular work blouse. The tights thing is cray but it is what it is!
ReplyDeleteI just got an email from LOFT and Ann Taylor saying they are having 40% off sales today, so maybe you can head to the mall and be able to get some of this stuff! I'm still looking for my perfect pair of black pumps and will let you know eventually when I make a purchase!
-Elissa
I didn't read well enough - it says right in the last sentence no jeans! OH WELL.
DeleteI am going to be of no help to you, but I just wanted to tell you that your post made me laugh, because my husband must have had the trashiest med school class ever. There were a few girls in his class that had fake boobs and lived to show them off (plus their unaltered group of friends who tried to out-sexy each other)- low cut, tight wrap dress type things. They had to be spoken to by administration on more than one occasion, but apparently, dressing slutty is a disease, because they couldn't stop. It provided me with much entertainment over the four years... and possibly a slightly less impressive view of doctors.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the excuse to go shopping!
When I was in Bible school, I actually had a similar dress code. The only difference really is that I could wear cropped pants (which I didn't even own at the time, so whatever). I never seem to be able to find a good pair of dress pants that I like either, but I think if you stop by places that specialize in the different fits (Banana, NY&Co, Express, etc.), you'll find something flattering that you can have tailored to be perfect. Dress pants aren't my favorite, but they're an easy item to base an outfit around!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty upset with you for returning that skirt. It looks so versatile! You could wear it in the winter with a cream or white (whatever the dots are on the skirt) cardigan and a complimentary colored tank top, or even just a loose-fitting, elbow-length top in a complimentary color. Or a white/cream elbow length top and a complimentary colored pair of tights.
As for heels, I think you might like wedge heels a lot better than normal heels. They're so much more comfortable. You could easily have a nice pair of black ones and nude ones and ones in a safe color like red or something (my raspberry colored heels seem to literally go with almost anything). And make sure you have a decent amount of wiggle room! I usually am a 7.5-8 in flats but always get an 8-8.5 in heels. A "perfectly fitting" heel is just asking for blisters, in my opinion! Also, I can't recommend little squishy inserts enough! I don't need them anymore, but I definitely did when I first started wearing heels. I would put them under the ball of my foot and seriously, I could wear those things almost all day long with no problems. Even the cheapest heel, in my opinion, can be fixed with a squishy thing! :) (and there's nothin' wrong with a thick heel, it's cute, mom!)
Also, in my experience, heels in non-shiney leather wear the fastest. They just get scuffed immediately and there's nothing you can do. Unless you're smart and put leather protectant stuff on it. Secondly, heels covered in that that suede-ish material wear the second fastest.They show scuffs a lot too. As over-the-top as they might look at times, shiney patent leather heels are what always last the longest for me. Surprisingly, scuffs don't show as quickly and they're easy to shine up.
As for tights, I am sorrowful with you. Tights suck. I had to wear them to Bible school as well. What I ended up finding (and I wish for the life of me I remembered what brand they were because I want more of them!) was a line of tights that WEREN'T control top, and actually had a very comfortable waistband similar to like, leggings. What I hate most about tights is them cutting into my sides and shaping my stomach into some strange, unappealing, dramatic hourglass shape and leaving alovely muffin top somewhere, somehow. I don't know, maybe you like that, some women must because nearly every pair of tights has it, but I hate it. Tights can be fun though! You can peek into the archives of Kendi and get inspired by her magenta and mustard colored tights ;). In fact, I pretty much just recommend diving into her archives anyway, because she used to feature a lot of fun, work-appropriate outfits. Yeah?
K, this was so long. I just am in dress clothes 4-5 days a week and so it is my comfort zone. Also, I might just be excited to see you in some skirts, lil' lady!
I am finding the dress code for your medical school fascinating! I definitely want to keep hearing about your search for the items that you are looking for - keep us posted!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I can't imagine going to the library to study or pull all-nighters in such formal clothes! On second thought, maybe med students are 'out together enough' that all nighters are never necessary???! Good luck, Franziska!
Delete*put together enough
DeleteFor med school, eventually you will need supportive shoes like Danskos or your feet will HATE you. They have some ones that look like normal dress shoes so they aren't so bad. Lots of pantyhose is good too.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've found for being comfortable is that my mom will make me skirts. Pencil skirts suck to sit in all day and study. Looser a-line skirts are much better and you don't feel as restricted.
I work in a business casual office so I try to stick to most of this. I do wear peep toe heels/no hose, but otherwise it's close. I like Limited dress pants lately & the best part is, they hem them in store for free.they're often 40% off & with a coupon, they end up being pretty cheap. I also like the Editor pants from Express. I wear a ton of cardigans - from Express, Old Navy, Target...all over. I need a new pair of black heels too. My favorite pair is from Target but theyre getting pretty old. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with :)
ReplyDeleteI remember the days of making the transition from college student to student teacher to real teacher and how much money I had to spend on clothes! I mean I love shopping, but I felt like with every paycheck my first year of teaching I was dropping tons of money on classroom supplies and dress clothes.
ReplyDeleteMy dress code for teaching right now is somewhere in the middle as far as dressiness and I don't know what I would do without cropped / ankle pants, but I can offer a few suggestions on places to check out.
-Gap Outlet and Banana Republic Factory are awesome stores for work pants. I also have issues finding dress pants that fit well and I've had more success at those two outlets than their retail counterparts!
-J.Crew Tippi sweaters (and their outlet version as well) are the best things ever. I think you have the same blue one I have. They have tons of colors and are great for pairing with skirts, dress pants, and jeans. A Tippi sweater and a scarf is a total go-to outfit.
-TJ Maxx can have good deals on dressy clothes. Last year I found 2 pairs of Limited dress pants for about $6 and $13. I don't shop their dresses as much, but they seem to have a pretty good selection in that area as well. It's also a good place for nice shoes. I'm still kicking myself for not getting some Calvin Klein black wedges there a few months back!
-I totally agree with you on the fact that you need to add cardigans to your wardrobe! I LIVE in those things! Gap is good (right now) for some fun colors, but BR is always great for ones that are a little more classic.
Good luck with all of these transitions to med school! It's so awesome that you're able to pursue this dream and it's been fun reading about this journey!
I think a lot of your tops, sweaters, blazers will easily translate with dress pants and skirts. My favorite dress pants are from The Limited. I really like the fit and they wear well too, kind of pricey but I usually get them on BOGO. What an exciting time for you!
ReplyDeleteGinny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Another vote for pants from The Limited. Actually, the whole store is great for finding items that fit your dress code. And, yes, they have GREAT sales and it's easy to shop the sale racks there. And their pants come in lengths.
ReplyDeleteAs for black heels, I bought these Anne Klein Rava heels and they're quite comfy. I have a really narrow heel so I had to buy heel inserts but otherwise they are perfect.
Tights-wise, I recently read an article that said Express tights aren't ridiculously muffin-top making. I haven't tried them yet, but if that's true that would be a life saver! I usually have to take a pair of scissors to my tights and cut little slits in the waistband to keep them from squeezing me like a sausage.
My absolute favorite pair of dress pants are the Modern Boot pants from the gap. I have had a hard time finding other pants that I like as much as them. I own them in two colors (black and dark grey), and will probably be buying them in at least one more color (navy). They come in regular and long length, I'm 5'9" and wear the regular length with flats and they fit perfect, so I would assume that the long length would be great for with heels. As far as tights, I'd highly recommend investing in at least one or two pairs of compression tights, you wouldn't believe the difference they make when you have to be on your feet all day!
ReplyDeleteHope this helps!
When I transitioned from college to teaching, I was in the same boat as you are: I lived in jeans and didn't want to spend a lot of money on a new professional wardrobe. By investing in bottoms (I live in pencil skirts and Gap's Modern Boot pants) I was able to wear a lot of my solid colored "casual" tops by adding a cardigan and/or scarf. I would rather add color/texture/prints in with scarves instead of buying printed tops.
ReplyDeleteI also second the comment on Dansko's. Being on my feet most of the day, I love that my feet don't hurt at the end of the day. I wore flats the other day and literally drove home on my prep hour to get my Dansko's because my feet hurt that bad. Dansko makes some really cute pairs (I have Mary Jane style ones) and if you hunt around, you can get a great deal!
I'm a graduate student planning to graduate this Fall and start a post-doc fellowship in academia. Although I'll still be doing lab work as a post-doc, I'm SO ready to embrace a more professional wardrobe. I just recently purchased two pairs of Dockers to stand in for jeans as everyday lab wear. Super comfortable with the best pockets. I figure these will be good 'work horse' pants that look more professional than jeans. I like the Limited for dressier pants that I wear for seminars or conferences.
ReplyDeleteI am so shocked by your med school's dress code! I am a teacher and my dress code is not nearly as strict! But I think you have the right idea for what to buy. I just wanted to share that comfortable shoes are a MUST for me (I'm a 22 year old with arthritis in my right foot!) and the most comfortable black heels I've ever owned are actually from Payless! They were 20 dollars and I can wear them all day, even when I'm on my feet teaching for hours. I will also recommend Clarks; they are expensive, but good-quality, comfortable shoes.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you won't get your Chanel bag! I think you'll be happy that you were able to create a whole new wardrobe with the money you saved, though!
Best of luck with your shopping endeavors :)
Gap has a great ponte-knit pencil skirt that I LOVE. I got it before I started a new job, and it turns out that pencil skirts would really be a little too dressy for my new office, so it doesn't get the wear I thought it would. It's been great for business travel, though.
ReplyDeleteUnless you are wearing a skirt or dress, totally go for hose socks! They hit at the knee and way way easier to wear than traditional hose!
ReplyDeleteOh yea. I forgot I wear hose socks almost daily. ha. I wear them with flats when it's freezing outside. I can't believe I forgot that.
DeleteI think your headed in the right direction here, in terms of where your looking for clothes, I'd say for skirts try either the Sloan Fit or any of the lightweight wool suiting skirts at Banana. They're both fab, Gap also got in some great cardigans so i'd definitely check those out! I'd also look at Banana or Ann Taylor/Loft for slacks and trousers. I know at Banana the Martin straight fit and the Sloan line are both popular and work well for most people. I also love checking out bloomies sales or nordstrom rack for shoes and dressier items! For closed toed black heels I bought the Karmen pump at Payless a little whiel ago (they are $20) and they are insanely comfortable. I've had some expensive plain black shoes, but I've found these to be the MOST comfortable, and they look great. I hope you have fun and find everything your looking for :)
ReplyDeletethat's such a stringent dress code! i feel ya - for most of the fall semester we were interacting with patients every single day and thus required to be dressed to the nines. since then we've figured out how to look good while not wearing super restricting clothes :) dress pants never work for my short little legs either, but i make sure to have a black pair that fits - this will save you during the winter months (so half the year in our area). skirts are wonderful and i layer thick tights underneath - a standard footed black pair is key (i tend to size up to prevent bunching). for standing and walking for hours nonstop, a trusty pair of black flats/low heels. go wild with your blouses! white coat should cover most of it so you can be punchy with your colours and not feel crazy. of course you can get crazier with your style but trust me, come crunch time you just want to grab and go
ReplyDeletehope this helps a bit and good luck!
This is where I am glad I just wear scrubs haha!
ReplyDeleteWow, that is some dress code. No ankle pants?! :( Gracey @ Fashion for Giants has a great post all about tights for us tall girls, http://fashionforgiants.blogspot.com/2012/11/reader-question-tights-for-tall-girls.html
ReplyDeleteSince you're already pretty thrifty and you're going to get your pants altered anyways, I'd say don't spend a ton on them. Just go to a thrift store and try on every pair of slacks imaginable until a pair is close to the right right, then spend your money on altering them. I just couldn't see spending over $20 on something that's going to need altering (actually I don't see the point in spending 20 bucks on much lol). And thrift stores always have tons of cardigans! Rack up on all different colors of cardigans. And that's my advice... Always promoting thrifting haha! I seriously haven't bought a single business casual clothing item from anywhere but a thrift store just cause they're just too dang expensive for me!
ReplyDelete<3 Danielle
Goodwillista.blogspot.com
But I do have to admit that the blue dress was definitely a smart purchase. it's timeless, versatile, and fits perfect!
DeleteMy company has a similar dress code, and I have a similar body type to yours. Things I've discovered in my year working there:
ReplyDelete- I don't like wearing pants. It means coordinating more pieces each day, they tend to wrinkle on me, and I always feel like they highlight my least favorite areas.
- Dresses are effortless. A dress and shoes, and BOOM! done for the day. A cardigan if I think I'll be chilly.
- Dresses make me feel more professional and put together, and dressy. I have a few dresses that are more comfortable than jammies, but they're the ones I get the most compliments on!
- WEDGES. They're like heels .... but endlessly comfortable. And ballet flats. Find a brand of heel that fits your foot well (for me, it's Nine West), and stick with it. I wear their 4" heels for 8 hours a day and I swear they're really comfy. Other shoes I'm whining about my 2" heels after an hour. But buy wedges. Same lift and professionalism as a pump, but they are far easier to wear all day.
- I really prefer thigh highs to full nylons. Avoids all the belly squishing that makes me feel like a little sausage.
- Clothes that need to be dry cleaned are a DRAG. It's absolutely possible to stock a professional wardrobe of clothes that can be washed in a machine. Take good care of them and they'll last a long time, and are far cheaper to own than clothes needing to be cleaned professionally.
Stores that I have discovered work really well for my body and needs: JC Penney (they have a surprisingly decent collection of business dresses!), Dress Barn (oh how I wish they'd change their name, but at least half my dresses come from here and I love them), Nine West (their shoes fit me like a dream), Banana Republic, J Crew, Ann Taylor.
Because those stores are pretty pricey, I generally either shop at the outlets, or subscribe to their email list because I end up with a 40% coupon sitting in my inbox at most times. Once I know a brand works (BR pencil skirts are a sure thing for me) then I don't have to try them on .. I know if I order it online with my coupon code that it'll fit.
Apparently I have some thoughts on the subject ;)
Keep us posted! I want to know more about your search for the perfect med school wardrobe! Btw, are flats without socks okay? Bummer they say no to cropped pants, I wonder if other students can get away with it. Maybe you can if it's the day yours just studying in the library? Haha. I really like Ann Taylor's signature fit dress pants. They have a huge selection, but can get expensive like $90 per pair, but if you see the sale it can be anywhere from $20 to 80, but if you go to the outlet, it gets pretty cheap $10, but normally I see it in the $20-40 range. I love the one with the lining inside even though it is so cold putting it on in the morning. The lining also helps with hiding the tucked in part of your shirt which is great because shrt clump doesn't look nice on butts anyways. oh, have you thought about brown slacks? check out Ross If you have one near you, they have good brands too (sometimes)!
ReplyDeleteHi! Fist, let me just say that I just found your blog this week and I love it--you have a new reader! Now, on to the fashion. I am 5'9 as well buy most of my dress pants from Banana Republic and the Gap. I find their pants to be comfy and they fit my booty and my waist. For shoes, I recommend you take a look at chromaticgallerie.com. I love this website because you can customize heel height, width, material, and color (and boy do they offer color)! They run about $88 a pair and often have $10 certain colors each month. I believe you may also get $10 off of your first pair when you sign up for their mailing list. I work in a professional environment and can wear these shoes comfortably all day because they have somewhat of a padded insole. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe that your med school requires professional dress for lectures and around campus! During my first two years of med school we only had to wear business casual for a select few lectures and anything that involved working with patients. But it actually will come in handy for you because you will be set when you get to your clerkships 3rd and 4th year. I went into my third year without nearly enough dress clothes (I worked before med school as a nurse so I got to wear scrubs). Anyways, here are a few of my staples:
ReplyDelete- grey, black, and camel trousers: My grey and black ones are Gap and the camel ones are J. Crew Factory. I love, love the way the Gap Perfect Trousers fit (and Gap has 30% off right now!)
- pencil skirts: I really love my J. Crew Factory and sale J. Crew pencil skirts (I am acquiring too many). A black one is a must, but I love my colored ones since they mix things up.
- comfy dresses: I have a grey short sleeve dress (the Madewell Sweatshirt dress) and a black short sleeve dress (the J. Crew Winnie dress from last year) that are both comfy fabrics but easily dress up. I love these with a colorful cardigan, and tights in the winter (Target sweater tights are the best).
- shoes: I'm a flats girl, and the Madewell skimmers (grey and nude) and J. Crew factory ballet flats (black and beige) are my staples.
My first two years of med school I always wore fun blouses with cardis when we had to wear business casual, but now cardigans get too bulky under my white coat and I prefer long sleeve blouses or button ups.
Ok, this is turning into a novel! Good luck finding your staples!
why does your school require that type of dress code? i just think that's interesting! i bet it feels daunting (but kind of exciting) to build up your wardrobe! it sounds like a lot of other people have already offered advice in this post so i'm sure mine isn't needed, but i'd recommend wedge heels, i've never met a pair of wedges i didn't like for comfort and to fit within a business-casual style. and since i wear tights about 50% of the year, i have to say my favorite brand (that i should buy more of) is simply vera wang from kohls. i've found those to be good quality, thicker material, and last a long time! do update us as you go along!
ReplyDeleteI'd love instagram posts of what you're considering or what you find...that way, you can get unsolicited opinions. haha! Your list sounds like a solid start to building your school wardrobe. If you're looking for nude flats, the J. Crew Emery in the bronzed clay are awesome, and I love them. They may be worth a buy when they go on a promo.
ReplyDeleteI'm excited to follow your process of building a wardrobe around the dress code! (So not excited about the tights-at-all-times rule, though.)
ReplyDeleteAs others have mentioned, Clarks and Dansko are great comfort shoes. They are pricey, but I've had good luck buying them at significant discount on sites like 6pm.com. You should just hit the department store and try them on to get a feel for sizing before ordering from 6pm because you do have to pay shipping if you want to return.
I really like the blue dress you got from Gap! Last year I got a striped shift dress from Gap that's surprisingly versatile - I can wear it belted or loose and it's knit (so comfortable) but not clingy. :)
I've never heard of a dress code for med school, but I guess it makes sense to prepare you for the "real world" of a medical office. I think you're in a great position with your collection of tops, sweaters and blazers. Its a bummer you can't wear jeans because I feel like your outfits are very put together.
ReplyDeleteAs far as suggestions, it looks like everyone is giving you lots of great ones! I would also consider a dressy pair of tan pants to go with navy/brown stuff. I recommend The Limited, Express, and Banana Republic for pants. I would also consider a dressy pair of tan pants to go with navy/brown stuff. They all do sales, make sure you don't pay full price because they aren't worth that (then again, I'm talking to a budget blogger, so I know you don't pay full price!). You should totally add some cardis into your wardrobe, but those are everywhere. Target and NY&Co would be good. Good luck with the hunt for shoes. I'm still trying to find shoes that I can walk A LOT in and look professional. Nine West seems to be a staple for me. Clarks are super comfy but not the cutest styles. I think someone mentioned wedges, and flats too would be good if you're walking around campus a lot.
I'm excited to see what you get!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.blogspot.com
As has been mentioned already go for wedge heels, SO much more comfortable to wear all day!
ReplyDeleteI second FourInchHeel's comment about JCPenney! I buy a ridiculous amount of stuff from them online, including dress pants. I found one pair by Worthington that was amazing - unfortunately I had to order and try about six different pairs to find it. Also, I either bought long or tall... I can't remember but it was a "strange" size for me and since I don't have them at school right now (they're white!) I can't remember exactly what size I got. Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteLordy, girl, that dress code would be enough to have me quitting med school before I even started! You're a better woman than I! I find it so bizarre that you need to dress business casual for lectures - insanity!
ReplyDeletePersonally? I'd go to JCPenney. They have some really great pants and the quality is fantastic. Personally, I'd wait until you get there to see if your ankle pants really are verboten. Ankle pants are pretty standard business-wear these days and if you get a slim pant there's no choice for anyone over 5'5 anyway!
Other than that, I'd be taking all my fashion cues from the first one or two seasons of Mad Men, just avoiding Joan's overtly sexual silhouettes, I guess! I think the pieces you have picked thus far fit that :)
Ok none too happy to be commenting after some skeevy spam post lol.
ReplyDeleteAll the comments that ladies have put here are excellent -- I too am partial to Gap's Modern Boot slacks, buy them all the time when they go on sale and even have them in several sizes to accommodate weight fluctuations -- and + 1 to the crop vs. ankle pant debate. I can't imagine that malleoli-skimming pants are outlawed. And yes yes yes to wedge heels. And tights-- I buy them one to two sizes larger than what the package says I should buy. SO much comfier.
My #1 advice to you though is STAY TRUE TO YOUR STYLE. I didn't have a dress code for med school classes, but obviously once we started clinical rotations we had to dress appropriately. I totally fell into the trap of wearing what others were wearing, and what I *thought* was appropriate. So for the first year I ended up with POLO SHIRTS, beige khakis, and uncomfortable but "safe" blue button-down shirts that were so not me. Granted I guarantee there is a way of making your style (and most of what you already own) work within the confines of "the rules". For instance I think your striped dress + cardi + belt + boots combo is totally within the rules. I think if you shopped your closet you'd be surprised at how much you already have that's actually "legal", and then you can just fill in the blanks with other staples.
man, you're awesome. Skeevy spam post gone! :)
DeleteI worked in a doctor's office prior to starting my current job. I wore scrubs for 4 years. We wore certain colors based on the day of the week so there was ZERO thought in my outfit for the day. I actually work at medical school now. I wasn't actively looking for a new job when I stumbled upon this one so I didn't have a lot of money saved up for a new wardrobe. I found that New York and Co. was a great option for me. They sell petites and tall pants...I'm incredibly short so this was a selling a point for me. Plus, they run great deals. It's a great place to get cardigans or button down tops.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like to shop at Banana Republic and J Crew factory stores. As I said before, my height makes shopping difficult. I have found that I can get pants in the BR Petite section and not have an issue with them. They run great deals...especially around the holidays. Memorial Day for instance.
I mainly work with medical students during their clinical years (3rd and 4th year) and I think you are pretty spot on with your choices. By the time I see them, they have adapted to the dress code. But, I will say most of the girls wear comfortable flats or low heels because they are on their feet all day at the hospital. I work in the Psychiatry department so we have our own dress code on the units and I believe this happens in other clerkships as well but that's a few years off.
Good Luck!! You will find your way pretty quickly. I would buy a few basics and then take note of what the students a year or two ahead of you do.
XO
http://justasmalltowngirlblog.blogspot.com
i too had been in search of closed-toe black pumps for a LONG time and just bought the Naturalizer Lennox ones online and they are soooooo comfortable - I love em! i ended up getting them in snakeskin and nude also since they were so comfy. Definitely check out coupon codes online - you should be able to find 20% off. happy shopping!
ReplyDeletebest of luck in med school!
Very classy picks! I love them!! I'm eyeing a floral pencil skirt like that one for Spring!! Gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteClassyInAClassroom.blogspot.com
My pharmacy school has a very similar dress code, so I feel your pain. However, our dress code is peer enforced and I would recommend figuring out whether your's is or not. If it is, I would say that there will probably be some stretching of the rules a little. I know that we wear black skinny jeans and sometimes colored jeans, but this may not be feasible for you. I agree with some of the other comments that wedges will be your best friend, especially when you have to stand for long periods of time. Overall, I definitely think that you are on the right track in terms of the items you would like to add to your wardrobe. Pattern is important to include into your blouses, dresses, and skirts otherwise you will get bored and be uninspired by your closet. In general, I think that many of the outfits you post would be great for school if you wore dress pants instead of jeans (even consider black skinnies depending on how your dress code is enforced and what other people wear). Personally, I would wear ankle pants, because I think ankle pants can look just as professional as any other dress pants. Ultimately, I think that you will have a better idea of what you can and can't wear once you get to school and see what others are wearing.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite "staple" outfits to wear to school is a colored v-neck shirt with a scarf and dress pants; it's comfortable and easy to put together and its great for days when you just feel tired and blah. You could even throw a cardigan or blazer on top if you wanted. In terms of stores, most of my dress pants come from Gap, Banana, or J. Crew and I get a lot of my cardigans from J. Crew and Old Navy. If you need tanks to wear under cardigans, Old Navy has a "tami" that is a good thickness and looks nice; it's also only like $10 and comes in a ton of colors.
Hopefully my opinions are helpful, even though I played devil's advocate a little (4 years of professional school dress code will do that to you). Most importantly, don't lose your sense of style because there is no reason that you can't be fashionable just because you are in medical school.
Worst dress code ever! If that BR skirt goes on super sale, I think you should reconsider it. It'd be darling with stripes, pastels (especially lilac and light blue), grey, black, white, ... Yes, I may be talking myself into checking it out!
ReplyDeleteI just bought this black dress from BR: http://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=69885&vid=1&pid=327599002 Something like this would be a versatile piece that you could dress up/down with accessories. I like that it has sleeves, so it's work appropriate.
My ultimate go-to for work is J.Crew's Tippi sweater. I have it in five colors. You can usually find them on sale at the end of the season when they're clearing out the "old" colors. I picked up two of them for $30-ish each.
Oh and definitely try on the Ann Taylor "perfect pumps." I have that blue pair and they're easily the most comfortable pair of heels I own. (Since I'm an event manager, I'm very picky about what shoes I can stand in for 3-4 hours in the evening!)
ReplyDeleteOH WOW this is quite a wardrobe. I love everything, especially the cardigans & the dresses. One can never have too many cardis, in my opinion. And I am such a Dress Girl.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome about featuring your look. I loved your Patch-Elbow Blazer this week, and the scarf of course. =)
It seems to me that you are approaching this with a smart plan of action. I love all of your choices that you have selected. I am really excited for you and know that all will go well for you.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Shon
I love this post -- you are so thoughtful with your closet choices; I wish I was more like that! Can't wait to see you rock some pencil skirts in the fall. I also totally feel ya on the dress-pants stress; I have a few pairs sitting in my closet that I got right out of college for my first "real job" that have gone completely unworn. I think the trick is to find a shape that makes you feel good? I know, I know -- not much of a trick. Good luck! I'm sure you'll come up with something fantastic.
ReplyDelete--Lily
Fifth Freedom Fashion
Ok, I think I can help! Yay! I worked in HR for a medical school hospital a few years ago and here are my recommendations:
ReplyDelete1) Buy coordinating suit pieces if you can swing it. Banana Republic and Ann Taylor (LOFT) always have basic black and grey as well as a different color each season (camel, navy, brown, pinstriped, etc.)that they sell all suiting in. I know BR does the 40% off one item on Wednesdays every other month or so, so I would definitely look at buying the blazer one Wednesday, the slacks the following one and then another piece the last week to save as much as possible. If you can, buy the blazer, slacks and skirt together (from the same line or season) or blazer, slacks and dress so that when you need a suit (and you will from time to time) you don't have to stress about finding a new one while being able to mix and match the pieces separately with the rest of your wardrobe. -Please no pirate blouses underneath the sheath dresses!
2) Shoes: Definitely buy flats, always keep an extra pair in your car or your office when you get to that point. I own one pair of plain kid leather Calvin Klein pumps with a low heel (2 inches) that are my "interview" staple and if you go the wedge route, make sure that they are "dressy" wedges. I own a pair of closed-toe patent leather black wedges that I've pretty much worn into the ground. I agree with you about the wider and more comfortable heel. Stilettos are not your friend.
3) You can probably get away with some camisoles or dressier tees under your blazer or cardigan, but I'm sure you know to stay away from graphic prints or anything that shows cleavage or is too form-fitting.
4) Ditto for your undergarments. You don't want to be the one called in to the dean's office because your lacy (or loud) bra under a sheer top is distracting the other students or worse, your very conservative professor.
5) You can probably wear ankle pants as long as you don't wear them casually. For example, if you are wearing ankle pants with a heel and a blouse and blazer, no one will notice. If you wear your ankle pants, with a tee and flats and think the cardigan alone will pull it together, you might get some sideways glances.
I hope this helps, if you want some more specific info, feel free to give me a shout. :)
Okay, I'm going to go a little off the path and give you some advice. Don't cash in your savings to buy clothes. From looking at your outfit posts for the last X months, I think you have enough professional pieces that can mix/match. Sure, you might need to buy a few extra pairs of dress pants or skirts, but you have a ton of cardigans/oxfords/etc already that can be mixed into outfits.
ReplyDeleteI've done what you're about to do a few times (take savings and "invest" in a new wardrobe due to a new job), and I regret doing it. At least for me, I have so many clothes that I could have forced to work.
I think you did a pretty solid assessment of your closet, and I think you gauged your holes pretty well. But, maybe before you drop all your precious savings on new duds, you should try one of those remix challenges. How many school-appropriate outfits could you make out of what you have right now? I just hate to see you miss out on your Chanel (while your reasons are logical) to buy a few more cardigans.
You can just throw my advice out the window, and I won't be offended. But, I think in a few years from now, you might regret it. Just my two cents. :)
Also, some random tips:
1. So, my new secret weapon has been these Target yoga pants. (They're usually folded on that wall of athletic pants) They come in these fitted flares (and in LONG!), and if you cover the top, they totally just look like regular black dress pants. They're beyond comfy and feel like cheating, but when I wear them with button downs/cardigans, they dress up well.
2. The best kind of tights you can get are Spanx Double-Sided. They're reversible, and they're thick (read: don't run ever). Plus, they make you feel skinny. I have a brown/black pair, and I wear them at least three times a week.
3. A black (navy, white) cardigan goes a realllllly long way. I have one from Nordstrom's BP department that gets a lot of wear. I've found that when you wear really basic pieces...people don't notice you're repeating it over and over.
Xo
Tier
When I got my first office job, I rushed out and bought a ton of clothes that I *thought* I'd need. Two years later, I donated almost all of them because I never actually wore them. Womp womp. Good job planning your purchases ahead of time!!
ReplyDeleteI really love a lot of these items. (Okay, all of them.) Dress pants (in black, light/dark gray, and khaki) + button downs in a variety of colors = great basics for those "lazy getting dressed" days.
Oh btw, I was just now absolutely heartbroken when I clicked through and realized that skirt is D&G and about $600 out of my price range, haha!
Deletehaha oh yeah, I was planning on spending allllll my money on one skirt ;) Just kidding - I was using them as example pieces! no way would I spend that much ;)
DeleteI kinda scanned through and I think there was one mention of Ann Taylor/Ann Taylor Loft. Those are my go-to stores, Loft mostly because of the price because they have amazing sales, and the quality is not lost at all.
ReplyDeleteI have to order my slacks/dresses/skirts online because I require talls (I'm 5'10'') which my only gripe is they don't offer free shipping even if you have a store card. BUT if you order it IN the store, they will ship to your house directly for free. :)
I don't know how you feel on in-store credits cards. I personally was COMPLETELY against it since I am debit free (but for my flipping student loans) but I do have two credit cards from Gap and AT Loft now, just because of their rewards program. If you don't have one, I would suggest you get them!! I pay them off literally in the store after I charge my purchase so I don't have the temptation to wait...and then use my funds for other things...and it is completely worth it for me!!
Let me know your thoughts on the in store credit cards...I don't remember you mentioning them and would like to know your input! ;)
This dress code is like what I spend my life in!
ReplyDeleteFor tights – nowhere is better for tights than Nordstrom Rack. They sell fantastic lined fleece tights in the winter and generally have discounted tights all times of the year. I don't find length to be an issue at all (and we're about the same height). The fleecy lined tights are actually really soft and comfortable – they feel like cozy leggings in the winter!
Don't shy away from pattern either! I have an awesome blue/white IKAT dress that goes with absolutely everything, and it helps keep things interesting alongside so many solid-colored things in my closet!
Good luck!
The dress code at my office is very similar, and I end up wearing a lots of blouses & cardigans with pencil skirts & tights. I usually wear a low wedge heel, so it's pretty comfortable. For the heels, I have found that the brand Me Too makes pretty comfortable wedges for a decent price.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I'm 5'9" and I have found that Express makes the best opaque tights that don't fall down or pinch. I'm about 140lbs currently, and I always get the M/L size. The patterned ones usually fit a bit different, but the opaque are always perfect.
I'm in NP school at a large teaching hospital in Virginia right now, and although our official dress code is pretty similar, dress code is definitely not enforced for lecture. I'm sure you've already visited your med school, but I wouldn't buy more than a couple of basics before you actually start and see what other people are wearing on a daily basis. Dark gray dress pants and a dark gray pencil skirt with stretch are definitely my most used items. I bought the pencil skirt a size too large and took in the waist so it wasn't too clingy. Based on following your blog for the past couple of months, I would say you can probably get away with buying very few tops.
ReplyDeleteAs far as shoes, I have a pair of ridiculously comfortable Landau clogs that I got for $40 that I wear with scrubs, but I have yet to convince myself to wear them with real clothes. They're just too embarrassing.
I almost always stick to flats for clinical since I walk nearly a mile each way to and from the parking lot and then spend all day on my feet, but I do have a pair of "Me Too" black heels that are comfortable enough for all day.
Aerosoles "Materess" flats are the most comfortable flats I've ever worn and I would 100% recommend investigating them for school ($40 from DSW). They aren't the cutest ever and I usually prefer my other flats for outside of school, but they're pretty inoffensive in person. I bought my first pair (in black) for when I studied abroad in Europe, and I walked several miles in them everyday for 6 months without any problems. They are magical.
I'm so mad at you for not keeping that BR skirt! GO BACK AND GET IT. Winter? Tights in black, dark grey, navy, or maroon. MAROON. Even dark green if you wanna go there.
ReplyDeleteYAY for skirts! I'm also looking for a couple of printed skirts and printed blouses. I'm excited to see what you are looking into!
I was a dancer for 14 years too! It look me a long time to wear tights *and* makeup after that.
ReplyDeleteYour picks look great. I've gotten a little more comfortable with my business casual workplace, but I still go for the shell+cardigan+dress pants quite often. It's easy and effortless! I rarely shop at Express anymore, but they are still my go-to for dress pants.
I'm in pharmacy school and our dress code is pretty similar. As far as dress pants and dress skirts, I've found awesome success with Banana Republic. Budget limits me buying anything from there full-price, but I always look to take advantage of extra % off clearance pricing. If there's a BR outlet near you, try that too! I've tried countless pairs of pants from other places and I always seem to go back to Banana for pants.
ReplyDeleteTJ Maxx, Ross, etc. are also good places to look for professional dresses. Having a few blouses, dress pants, skirts, and cardigans leads to endless combinations, especially since you can change the look with your accessories. My advice would be to stick to colors and combinations that all go with each other. Good luck with your school shopping!
So interesting that you have a dress code right away! My hubby spent the first two years in jeans, and then accumulated a lot of shirts/ties for the clinical rotations later. I think dresses will be really versatile, especially if you're not a major fan of dress pants (me neither...), and nude flats are a great idea. I recently bought a pair of Madewell skimmers - if those come in nude, I think they're really comfy, and I'm hoping they'll last through a lot of wear!
ReplyDeleteI had a similar dress code when I was doing my student teaching internship...
ReplyDeleteIf you hate the awkward waist line that stockings give, try the ones that go past the waist line. It will create a smooth transition.
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