Dressing like a pauper

[Nysoz]

i think if you could fairly easily intuit what other surgeons would wear to a national meeting, if you were truly unable to do so that's kind of strange. most surgeons i know dress up for clinic.

i go to them all the time and can't remember ever seeing anyone dressed so casually except on their way in and out of hotel etc.

to me there are situations when insisting on being dressed for your own maximal comfort verges on being unprofessional. if one of my residents insisted on dressing this way at a meeting i wouldn't do anything to stop them, i would also hope they would understand that if they were going to network and learn about career opportunities this would greatly harm their chances of success.

Yeah I'm a comfort person, scrubs at work in hospital or clinic. But the most I would dress down for a conference is my lululemon khakis and a polo shirt.

[Turf Doc]

My thoughts on boots that expensive that you get for the craftsmanship can be summed up in the song 'Air Force Ones': "once you scuff 'em you eff'd up your whole night".

Cordovan is different because its a very dressy leather and is touted as being ultra durable which maybe it technically is, but most people treat their cordovan boots like dress shoes... cordovan would be like a ferrari. Other high quality leathers, though, would be like a Lexus LS. They're real ************************-kickers and will last a lifetime if properly taken care of. For many people the point is to wear them and scuff them so they look nice and aged. Of course, many people who say that have so many boots that they'll never really get the proper use out of them

[CordMcNally]

800 is far past the point of diminishing returns, but there is a different level of craftsmanship there that's appreciated by people looking for the best. I'd equate it to nerds on forums looking to get their already ridiculously low fees down a further few bps and willing to spend more time and effort doing that.

Cowboy boots are pretty much the right idea because they use the same type of techniques to construct the boot and I'd guess for many people that's the only experience they have or can fathom re: expensive boots.

I'm one of said nerds and def appreciate nice clothes and boots. It's expensive but one upside is a lot of these clothes and boots are pretty timeless; my favorite shirt for instance is still one I've been wearing since high school about 10 years ago.

My thoughts on boots that expensive that you get for the craftsmanship can be summed up in the song 'Air Force Ones': "once you scuff 'em you eff'd up your whole night".

[Turf Doc]

What do $800 boots look like? Boots to me typically mean cowboy boots but I’m guessing that isn’t it, although cowboy boots are usually pretty expensive.

800 is far past the point of diminishing returns, but there is a different level of craftsmanship there that's appreciated by people looking for the best. I'd equate it to nerds on forums looking to get their already ridiculously low fees down a further few bps and willing to spend more time and effort doing that.

Cowboy boots are pretty much the right idea because they use the same type of techniques to construct the boot and I'd guess for many people that's the only experience they have or can fathom re: expensive boots.

I'm one of said nerds and def appreciate nice clothes and boots. It's expensive but one upside is a lot of these clothes and boots are pretty timeless; my favorite shirt for instance is still one I've been wearing since high school about 10 years ago.

[MPMD]

Not really. If you’ve never been to a national meeting then you have no idea what the others are wearing. During residency, and fellowship, I was never able to attend one of the big national ophthalmology meetings. When I started private practice, I finally attended one and thought “I’ll just dress like I normally do when I’m on vacation”. It was a bit of a shock to walk in to my first meeting hall and see everyone else in suits. So, through the years, I’ve kept up my comfort and let them keep on with their desire to dress up.

i think if you could fairly easily intuit what other surgeons would wear to a national meeting, if you were truly unable to do so that's kind of strange. most surgeons i know dress up for clinic.

i go to them all the time and can't remember ever seeing anyone dressed so casually except on their way in and out of hotel etc.

to me there are situations when insisting on being dressed for your own maximal comfort verges on being unprofessional. if one of my residents insisted on dressing this way at a meeting i wouldn't do anything to stop them, i would also hope they would understand that if they were going to network and learn about career opportunities this would greatly harm their chances of success.

[Eye3md]

it seems like you probably spent as much time thinking about what you wore and hoping you were noticed for wearing it as those people in slacks did huh?

Not really. If you’ve never been to a national meeting then you have no idea what the others are wearing. During residency, and fellowship, I was never able to attend one of the big national ophthalmology meetings. When I started private practice, I finally attended one and thought “I’ll just dress like I normally do when I’m on vacation”. It was a bit of a shock to walk in to my first meeting hall and see everyone else in suits. So, through the years, I’ve kept up my comfort and let them keep on with their desire to dress up.

[MPMD]

I go to my big national specialty meeting every year and everyone is dressed up (dress shirts, slacks, ties, etc…). There’s no way I’m dressing like that when I wear a tie at work all the time. So, I wear shorts and a t-shirt. I get dirty looks but who cares. I don’t care about getting their approval and they can do zero to augment my business or my life. Comfort is the key

it seems like you probably spent as much time thinking about what you wore and hoping you were noticed for wearing it as those people in slacks did huh?

[legobikes]

I have a very limited set of clothes that I wear, and I sometimes buy multiples:
-Same white undershirts for work, same white shirts, same brown pants.
-Same black tshirts for home, same socks, exact same underwear x20.

Other than that I'm usually going through a rotation of 3-4 half sleeve or full sleeve button up shirts and the same 2-3 pants. I'll wear them no matter how worn out, but if they get holes then they get relegated to garage/garden workclothes.

My shoes are usually trashed. I don't like changing out shoes, so aside from my shoes for the clinic, I tend to wear the same pair of shoes around town, hiking, and biking. I've noticed that shoes seem to be a large part of people's perception of you.

Don't buy specific brands, and don't wear things that have a logo. If they do I can usually remove it or cover it.

Also hate shopping. Mostly because the music playing inside stores wears on me quickly.


This thread made me want to check out the thrift stores though.

[TheDangerZone]

What do $800 boots look like? Boots to me typically mean cowboy boots but I’m guessing that isn’t it, although cowboy boots are usually pretty expensive.

Hah, you aren’t too far off actually. They are Alden Indy boots made of Shell Cordovan leather and in a narrower/sleeker last than typical. Alden is a US company with a long history. The Alden Indy boot is considered iconic and was worn by Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones. This is the Reddit review and album that made me lust after them for a year or two before I finally pulled the trigger.

https://www.reddit.com/r/goodyearwelt/comments/5mdzt2/initial_impressions_alden_for_brickmortar_shell/

[CordMcNally]

I wore $800 boots to work today... not that anyone can tell.

What do $800 boots look like? Boots to me typically mean cowboy boots but I’m guessing that isn’t it, although cowboy boots are usually pretty expensive.

[TheDangerZone]

i love how these threads (like car threads) turn into a "who can be the cheapest" contest really quickly.

I wore $800 boots to work today... not that anyone can tell. In med school and residency, I read a lot of style blogs and forums. Some people take their style pretty seriously (browse styleforum if you really want to see bogleheads level of obsession regarding style etiquette). I got really into footwear as well and have a pretty sizable boot collection. Ironically, since I've been an Attending, I've bought maybe a couple pairs of shoes as all the ones I already own are buy it for life type status.

I have a basic work outfit: oxford collar button down, slacks, dress boots. White coat, no tie. The only thinking I have to do every morning is deciding what color scheme I want to go with, and which boots to wear. Certain leathers like shell cordovan don't do well in rain. I operate ~3 days a week and figs scrubs have been my go to for 3-4 years.

If OP is referring to what I wear when out and about, no I don't take pleasure in wearing tattered 20+ year clothes with holes, but I'm not going to judge you for doing it either. Thrift stores are awesome as well.

[Eye3md]

I go to my big national specialty meeting every year and everyone is dressed up (dress shirts, slacks, ties, etc…). There’s no way I’m dressing like that when I wear a tie at work all the time. So, I wear shorts and a t-shirt. I get dirty looks but who cares. I don’t care about getting their approval and they can do zero to augment my business or my life. Comfort is the key

[MPMD]

i love how these threads (like car threads) turn into a "who can be the cheapest" contest really quickly.

[jz-]

I follow 3 stylists on YouTube. I exercise restraint by limiting my clothing purchases to $xxxx annually. I will never let my husband know my x.

[VagabondMD]

I dress primarily for comfort. Sometimes it's cheap (old running t-shirts and sweatshirts/shorts) sometimes not (Kuhl, Vuori, and Patagonia - always on sale). Now that I work from home, I usually wear t-shirts and shorts with bare feet when it is warm (May-October), and long sleeve tee's or quarter zips and joggers with slippers when it is cooler (November to April).