i feel pretty decent about my current post-baby style.
i’ve been rather . . .nice to myself this fall, and my closet currently does contain multiple outfits that i enjoy wearing. i also did a clean sweep a little while ago — out went ill-fitting dresses, jeans that i’m not sure ever fit, too-short or stretched out tops, and a few misguided anthropologie sale-rack ‘experiments’.
when it comes to sweaters or skinny jeans, i’m good. but i have two job interviews coming up next week [!!!] and — well, i am in need of some help.
destination: MIA
as i’ve mentioned before, we’re headed to miami beach after finishing up this july in NC. i’m thrilled not to have to pack a million layers for our upcoming trip, but it would have made interview attire easier. i have a brown suit [jacket, pants] from banana republic circa 2006 — from residency interviews. it’s not the most glamorous, but if i were headed to the snow zone it probably would have made the most sense.
however, it just felt like too much for miami. too heavy, slightly dated, and perhaps a little too stuffy. i was just going to make it work, but josh urged me to get something i would feel good in. of course, finding a last-minute ensemble isn’t the easiest, especially when you’re 5’1″ [alterations are usually involved].
here’s what i ended up coming home with:
[the jacket sleeves need to be shortened]
thursday
miami!
THANKSGIVING!!
friday – sunday
will probably run 1-2x in miami.
47 Comments
I think nude pumps would look awesome with that outfit and eliminate any potential color clashing. The blue looks super on you!
I have no idea about the norms of stocking-wearing but I always think it’s better to be safe than sorry. I think you can buy cheap hose at any drug store though, so no worries.
Also, oh gd. Did I really just say "I think you can buy cheap hose at any drug store"? I am sorry! I didn’t realize how that sounds out loud until it was too late!
Nude pumps and no, you do not have to wear stockings…
no one wears them in the business world any more, I promise:)
A little self tanner on the legs if you’re worried about them sticking out.
Also, if you’re getting alterations done take the skirt up about an inch and a half. You want it to hit
you at the smallest part of the leg (without going about the knee).
I think the bright blue is amazing on you.
I vote for nude or camel colored pumps! And I def don’t think pantyhose is required. I’ve done interviews without it!!
The jacket needs to be adjusted around the waist in addition to sleeves. You should take it in quite a bit.
Thank you!! Hopefully the tailor can do it all before we leave!
pump is definitely the way to go and I’d choose a neutral color like beige over black because both black and blue are strong colors.
A is soooo adorable!!! love her cheeks
Yes nude heels, no stockings, take the dress up about an inch or so to hit just at knee, and take in the jacket at the waist. I am your same height and if anything hits below the knee, it makes you look shorter. You have a great figure so show it off a little. It is appropriate and I bet even more so in Miami.
Love the dress, I could see stockings either way so whatever you are comfortable with. With regards to shoes, I would do something fun and colorful. You are interviewing to be a pediatrician in Miami, not a business woman on Wall Street. You are a fun interesting person with great interactions with you patients, who are children. Show off your personality. Thst is what they are looking for, someone to fit into their practice. Your credentials speak for themselves. The interview is your opportunity to show them how you would work with them. Better to find out now that the personalities don’t match then after you take the job.
Just my 2 cents. Go with your gut, the more relaxed in the interview the better you will be. Good luck.
great advice!
peep toe nude pumps for sure. closed toe would work too for different climates/locales. try Nine West. enjoy!!
Hi there! I’ve been reading now for over a year and never commented. (love your blog!) I felt compelled this morning because I am an administrator for a large radiology practice and we have interview candidates in all the time. Many just coming out of fellowship : ) OK, I would definitely pair nude heels with the outfit you have selected. (perfect outfit!) So many candidates come in with the old four year old outfit (like you mentioned) on and they don’t look pulled together.
I would also definitely wear stockings and close toed shoes. I know in the business world, things are more relaxed, but in healthcare, closed toe shoes and stockings are still the norm and the expectation. Darn health code!!! Donna Karan makes a lovely, very sheer stocking you can find them at Nordstrom. Trust me, air on the safe side with this one. Physicians will not notice or care if you look hip/fashion forward in fact, too much would be a turn off.
Also, I would pull your beautiful hair back in a low chignon. I, like you, have very long hair and have been told it makes me look quite a bit younger than I am. (32) I also tend to touch my hair when I am nervous and keeping it out of my face tends to curb that. : ) If you don’t like the bun – perhaps half up, half down. You just want to look as polished as possible and that includes hair. Also, don’t forget to accessorize! Some type of stud earring like pearls would look lovely.
Lastly, I’ve noticed over the years that my docs end up hiring the candidates who they connect with on more of a personal/social level. In other words, they tend to pick people they LIKE. Your training speaks for itself, they almost assume quality there and that you’ll be able to handle the patient care aspect. So, while you shouldn’t volunteer personal information, don’t be afraid to answer thoroughly when asked. I know this sounds trite, but try to be yourself. These folks are picking someone who they think they can be friends/colleagues with for a LONG time, so letting your sweet, warm personality shine through will really help you score points!!! I am confident you will do AWESOME in this category!!!!! Good luck and I will be sending you lots of good vibes!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU ALL ARE AWESOME!!!! so helpful. ordering nude pumps!
and, will mention the other suggestions (hem, taking in jacket) to the tailor this AM.
still not sure about the stockings 🙂 was going to say no but i think the medical world might still require them. anyone in FL and medicine have an opinion!?
I agree with everyone else about the nude heels. I have no idea about the stockings though.
While I am not in FL, I would think people there don’t wear them. However I would agree with the people that said healthcare is conservative and so closed toe and stockings might be VERY appropriate. Also I laugh when they say "corporate doesn’t require them" because my office is quite old fashioned and I am required to wear them M-Th, October through May!
Whoa! So many comments! I’m a native Floridian and I will say that even in a million degrees, pantyhose = more professional. I’d go with black pumps, but even if you find something printed that works with the look, go with it! The outfit itself looks good…I think you have room for expression with the shoes.
coming over for a vote for neutral pumps or wedges. you will get so much more wear out of them!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while but have never commented… I think you got some great comments on the post, especially Amdanda’s.
That color is great on you, I love it. You’ll probably get a lot of wear out of the dress so I think it’s a good buy.
Agree with Amanda about the tailoring and hair – I always wear my hair in either a low pony or bun for interviews…. It’s long and if it’s back it isn’t a distraction to me or the person interviewing me!
Obviously I’m in a different industry, but I say yes to pantyhose. Better safe than sorry. You may never have to wear them again, but wear them for an interview. If you walk in and a woman wearing pantyhose is interviewing you, you’ll probably feel really uncomfortable not wearing them (I know I would!), not to mention they’re good for smoothing everything out under a suit. Not to mention – it’s November. Even in Florida, I think having your legs covered is seasonally appropriate.
I always rip hose, no matter how expensive they are, so I tend to stick with cheaper. I really like the Assets brand at Target (they’re a cheaper version of Spanx), but even just the cheap Sheer Energy brand from Target is pretty good and they have a couple of different shades so you can find something close to your skin tone.
Good luck on your interview!
yes i need to figure out an updo. i prefer my hair down but i think up will be neater/more professional for interviews! thank you for your experienced perspective 🙂 working in the hospital is SO different than interviewing in one!
Related to Meredith’s comment – Ann Taylor also has a petites section? What you have is very nice and will work as well….just a thought : )
nude pumps, def! thanks for letting us borrow your rock n play!
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Got nothing to say..very informative.and full of fashion. Why not freshin up with fancy jewelries. We have cute chokers and a bunch of beach body jewelries.
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The baby dress you showed is very much comfortable as it looks. I was searching some baby dress ideas for my 2 years little kids. And here I found your blog and it helped me a little. Thanks.
Just had a thought, can we please rename this post "The Great Panty Hose Debate of 2012"? ; ) ; )
HA it should be! i feel better about having to ask the question now seeing as people seem to be very passionate on either side 🙂
Hey Sarah, I’m applying for residency now and definitely feel your pain with the suit shopping! I agree with the nude pumps and I would go ahead and wear hose just because it is an interview. You can get some decently sheer ones. I hope your interviews go well!
Miami work style is no stockings 🙂 I remember in grad school in Miami we actually had a class about business management, and our professor said "Outside of Miami, always wear stockings! Here, nobody does it." 🙂 Personally, I did wear suits to interviews and would just make sure I wore a bright/tropical blouse/accessory to brighten it up. Nude pumps are cute.
I’d say nude pumps and NO STOCKINGS! Especially not in Florida! DON’T DO IT! Stockings are dated and unnecessary. Just shave your legs.
PS — longtime reader, but I think this is my first comment! Love your blog!!
I actually really like the outfit you picked – love the color of the dress! I can’t really answer about stockings (anyone else??), but I definitely think a nude pump would look awesome with the dress & jacket.
Have fun in Miami & Good Luck on the interviews!!
I think that outfit (or any blue outfit, really) would look great with a patent nude pump, a la Kate Middleton. good luck with the interview and have a good trip!
No to hose- I am a lawyer and have never worn them to an interview or work, and the law is the most conservative work environment there is. Definitely a nude heel- closed toe for interviews – peep toes are definitely not interview appropriate. I would lean toward a leather rather than a patent, which might be a bit too flashy for interviews. You could get away with black heels too, but nude would be best. Also, can you shorten the jacket itself, not just the arms? Might look better an inch shorter on your torso. Great outfit!
If you’re still considering a different outfit, then Banana Republic has some really nice petite suiting. That’s where I got my interview suit. At least where I’m at, J Crew petites weren’t available in stores so that wasn’t an option, and a petite-sized jacket makes a HUGE difference if you are on the smaller side (arm length, shoulder width, where the jacket falls).
Definitely wear stockings.
Oh, and I was recently informed this: for womens’ jackets that have two buttons, you’re only supposed to button the top one.
you’re probably right that i should have gone with petites — my last suit was (from banana). but i sort of ran out of time this time . . . so hopefully the alterations will be decent enough!
I see I am late to the party here, but I agree — nude pumps are the way to go with that outfit. They will also make your legs look longer.
I also agree with the suggestions about how to tailor the outfit. You have a nice figure, and there is no reason the clothes need to be that loose on you.
If you decide to not go with stockings (which I would vote for too), but feel self conscious about your legs, you could think about doing self tanner on your legs.
Definitely NO stockings – it is Miami and it is really not the standard in the business world any longer. I have not worn hose to an interview in a few years and it never made anyone unhappy… You will feel much better without it 🙂 too. Nude pumps will be the safest and updated choice. Black and navy will only work if it is a strappy sandal but it may be too much for the interview. Second the peep-toe, it is going to look more hip 🙂
Best of luck in the interviews – I am sure you will do well – in the end, your personality and your knowledge is what will shine through, regardless of hose/footwear/etc.
Love the dress and agree with the comments to make the jacket a little more fitted all over. I think South Florida is tricky because it is very casual (and also hot and sticky), but interviews tend to be conservative. I’d go with the hose because it’s better to be a little over-dressed than under-dressed. Can you get away with one slightly more colorful piece of jewelry/ earrings? Good luck with the interviews!