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Clothes for a Future Doctor

JPYPSU07

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Hi guys I've been lurking here for a long time and finally decided to post.
I just received my first medical school acceptance and I want to start building a "doctor worthy" wardrobe. I currently have 2 calvin klein suits that are nonvented, is there any way to change them to having a single vent? I also have a heavy chalk stripe Ralph Lauren double vented flat front, is this too obnoxious to wear? Also I own a lot of Express sweaters, shirts, and dress pants. My shoes consist mainly of Johnston and Murphy's that I have accumulated over the years. What would you guys suggest to build my wardrobe, what brand of suits? shirts? shoes? What would be acceptable to wear around patients and in the hospital in my 3rd and 4th years when not wearing scrubs and sneakers?
 

chorse123

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Most of the population does not dress very well, but that's hardly a good reason to join them.

I think there are a few doctors and medical students here who can give you more specific information re: med school.

I can answer one of your questions. No you cannot convert a ventless jacket into a vented one. Also, since you've got some time to upgrade your wardrobe, stick around, learn what you like and fits you, and you should be able to do so at a reasonable expense.

Oh, and congratulations.
 

ragdoll

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I don't think that you will want to wear a suit as a medical student or intern/resident. The advice I would give is much like previous threads on what to wear as an beginning analyst at an investment bank; make your mark with hard work and a low profile not sartorial splendor. You will have time for suits and fancy shoes that as an attending physician or surgeon someday.

I agree with the previous poster that most doctors don't dress well and don't particularly care.
 

Jared

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Doctors have some interesting special needs which are not often addressed. First, your shoes will need to be very comfortable. The consensus here is that leather soles are the most comfortable, but I doubt many of us ever spend two back-to-back shifts in them, so we don't really know. You should look into specialist brands (the only high-end one I can think of is Ron White in Toronto, and their website is no help) and bespoke. Second, you will do your patients a favour by wearing bow ties. In a perfect world, all doctors would wear bow ties when off-duty as well, which would be a much more fun way of standing out than expensive cars. Anyway, you at least have to wear them at work, so start reading (and about shirt collars as well). Third, I believe some studies have been done regarding whether patients prefer doctors in labcoats or suits. This will determine whether your suit collection is adequate for your other engagements. If you don't have to wear suits, you should be expected to have nicer shirts, trousers, and ties.
 

Bergdorf Goodwill

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DrSmith.JPG


It is my understanding that this is the conventional dress of Future Doctors. Best of luck to you.
 

coachvu

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I'm a second year med student, so I have a little insight into this. First, forget about suits. If you have one suit you will be set until your fourth year interviews. I've only worn suits to our school social events, and I occasionally wear sports coats for nice dinners. They will not be acceptable in the hospital as a student. Don't wear bowties. It will make you stick out too much, and some doctors will think you look silly. I'd just suggest getting a few pairs of nice dress pants, any brand. When you are on the wards, these may get pretty dirty, and you may be wearing them for quite a while each day. As for shirts, again, whatever you want. They will get dirty, and you won't always have the time or energy to dry clean them. I have a couple non-iron shirts that have been life savers. People in my class definitely notice ties. Go ahead and get some nice ones, but nothing too flamboyant. Your bosses will want you to dress nicely, but you don't want to draw too much attention to yourself. As for shoes, most people wear Kenneth Coles. Your J&M's will put you in the top percentile for students. If they are comfortable, then don't worry about anything else. Most importantly, save your money. Only buy stuff that is heavily discounted and will last a while. It's incredible the amount of debt you will incur, and wait until they scare you with your financial aid entrance interview. On a side note, where are you looking to go for school?
 

JPYPSU07

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Thanks for the advice guys, looks like I will be sticking to the Express pants and shirts till they are in too bad of a shape to wear around anymore. I was never planning on wearing suits but just looking "respectable" On my interviews I've seen quite a few 3rd and 4th years who really look like crap. Thanks for the advice.
 

Sator

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Unfortunately you must forget about putting together a rotation of suits until you are an Attending or you have your own practice. You should also forget about bow ties until you have finished your training. Medical students, interns and residents should only wear long ties.

As already suggested you will need a suit (either solid charcoal or navy) for job interviews once you start to apply for subspeciality training positions. If you are just starting med school, it will be a while until you need one. Also it may be different outside of Australia but here hospitals and medical schools have annual formal balls, so make sure you have your own dinner suit with self-tie bow tie.

The main thing you will need as a medical student, intern or resident is a decent rotation of ties, plenty of shirts (you will be busy and have little time for ironing), quality wool trousers (flat front or pleated according to taste), and a rotation of at least a couple of pairs of decent shoes. AEs at discount are the medical student's best friends.

Another touch that looks good is a waistcoat for wear underneath the white coat. Whether knitted or woolen/tailored, they give you added warmth during colder months. They also stop your tie dangling into the patient's face during the physical examination.
 

Sator

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Originally Posted by sygyzy
All the doctor's I've seen do not dress very well.

There is much truth to this, though there are notable exceptions. I am unsure how this came about, for during the Victorian era, the respectable physician would have presented himself to the world in morning dress with a frock coat or morning coat and striped/checkered trousers, along with all other professionals.


Rudolf Virchow:





Here is Louis Pasteur:




And in more modern times, Alexander Fleming isn't badly turned out either:

 

ghulkhan

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you dont really need to wear ties to class only when your doing your rotations in the last two years
wear comfortable shoes nice trousers and a ncie shirt tie combo
you dont need a suit jacket or a blazer .. u have the white coat
thats how my bro rolls and hes a fourth year n he dresses pretty well
and like eveyrones saying u dont need a suit till interviews
 

hopkins_student

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If you're interested in putting together a nice collection of shirts, ties, and shoes, go ahead. You'll have plenty of opportunity to make use of them and there's little chance of the getting damaged. Buy trousers that you don't expect to look good for a long time. Hospital beds have lots of little parts that are great for snagging clothing and they're all at the level of your trousers. Plan on losing a few pairs to hospital beds. Congrats on getting into medical school.
 

Sator

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Originally Posted by hopkins_student
Buy trousers that you don't expect to look good for a long time. Hospital beds have lots of little parts that are great for snagging clothing and they're all at the level of your trousers. Plan on losing a few pairs to hospital beds.

I've never heard of any such attack of the trouser eating bed.
eh.gif
Tell us more!
 

hopkins_student

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Originally Posted by Sator
I've never heard of any such attack of the trouser eating bed.
eh.gif
Tell us more!

Our primary teaching hospital is Los Angeles County Hospital which has beds that must be thirty years old and were not made to the same ergonomic standards as the beds at University Hospital and the ones with which I'm sure you're familiar.
 

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