First job; how to dress professionally and tastefully?

[oocyte_]

I'm a woman in residency who will be starting my first job out of residency and I've been wearing scrubs for 3 years. Prior to that I had 0 fashion sense and just wore button downs with black slacks. How can I look more stylish but professional on the job? What do you all wear to work (outpatient clinic)? Thanks!!

[PreCancerDoctor]

Spend $20 and have your white coat adjusted by a tailor.
It's funny how often you will see a doctor with expensive clothes and a baggy, billowing off the rack white coat.
Or a paper-thin see-through white coat.

Clothes that fit your frame well are important, regardless of your size. Shoulder seams should land right at the top of the deltoid, cuffs land at the wrist, etc. Youtube can show you how a dress shirt should fit.
Fit >>> brand.
Wrinkle-free whenever possible.

A couple of classic items in classic colors that fit well +/- tailoring can make up the bulk of your wardrobe. Pants in tan, maybe gray or black. Shirts in white, light blue, pink.
The less flashy and less memorable, the better. Ties can be a flashy splurge if you like.

That fantastic shirt with bass boats on it can't be worn on a regular basis. "Oh, is it Friday again, doc?"
White shirt on Monday and Thursday? Victimless crime.

If I wouldn't wear it twice a week, I won't buy it. If I'm not happy with the fit, I'll walk away.

My better half has 3/4 of our closet.

[burritos]

Ask if you can wear scrubs.

[ObgynMD]

I wear Jaanuu or Figs scrubs everyday to work. Professional, easy to launder and no effort- I basically wear the same thing every day.

[jfoxcpacfp]

Pretty sure I know, but can you share whether you’re male or female? Maybe it shouldn’t matter, but I think it might. Obviously, I have nothing to add to the convo, but it is interesting to me.

[F0017S0]

Scrubs.

[Nysoz]

Ask if you can wear scrubs.

I dressed up briefly when I started my first job. I then realized I was the “boss” and could do whatever I wanted. Scrubs every day after that.

[gap55u]

As posted in women’s issues, I’m guessing OP is a woman. In my area (a little more casual, most men do not wear ties, but still dress shirts) — I see most women doc/app wearing basic solid pants - tan/brown/black - with low maintenance tops (blouse or button down shirt). One woman wears dresses frequently. So really I think it’s up to you. Looking at what peers wear can help but it’s fine to have your own style. I know several pediatricians of both sexes that wear scrub tops during throw up bug season only.

i have never worn a white coat but I like the idea of getting a nice one tailored (and washing them if you wear them!)

[Zaphod]

I will be starting my first job out of residency and I've been wearing scrubs for 3 years. Prior to that I had 0 fashion sense and just wore button downs with black slacks. How can I look more stylish but professional on the job? What do you all wear to work (outpatient clinic)? Thanks!!

scrubs, thats your uniform. and unless you're in some fancy city with a very high faluten clientele no one actually cares. scrubs are the threshold level. Know successful people in all cities that wear scrubs, some suits, only the suits people think it matters and it does...to them.

[SpacemanSpiff12]

If you don't want to wear scrubs but you're not sure where to start with professional clothes, check out Stitch Fix.

I was skeptical at first, but my partner ordered me a couple boxes and they were great. High-quality clothes, looked good, reasonable price, easy to return. Give it a shot, it's pretty low-risk.

[eyecandy]

What do you want to wear?

If you want some non-scrubs: look for nice basic clothes to start a wardrobe from. Then you can mix match I rec starting w solid colors and well made can last many years. Brands that I like for work which look good & functional at work, also not too pricey: Theory, Club Monaco. And I’m frugal so I typically buy all work clothes on sale either semi-annual sales or at Nordstrom Rack.

[MPMD]

once again waiting for this to devolve into a fierce competition about who can brag about wearing the crappiest clothes at work.

to the OP: it is fine to dress up for work, see what others are wearing and take your cue from them. when in doubt simple and classic. this is also the kind of thing where a session with a personal shopper might well be worth it.

[wideopenspaces]

As a psychiatrist I feel like our dress code has always been more laid back and we can put more personality into our style. I know one doc that wears those weird toe running shoes to work. So take my advice with a grain of salt. Most of my work clothes are from jcrew and I wear a lot of dresses and skirts. I have a couple pairs of boring slacks in black and navy but I also have sparkly, lacy, velvet, plaid, etc pants. I wear a lot of sweaters when it's cold. Anthropologie has pretty tops for the warmer months. That said, there's nothing wrong with slacks and a button down. I wear those sometimes too. Find shoes that are comfortable, I only wear flats in clinic.

[Zaphod]

There are lots of nice scrubs, I wouldnt wear sloppy hospital scrubs mind you. Mine are igauna med which are nicely cut and a light dry fit like material.

[CordMcNally]

1.) Get into reasonable shape if you let yourself go a bit during residency.
2.) Buy nice, well fitting scrubs.
3.) Never feel obligated to wear dress clothes every day.