Third year when I started my clerkship rotations in the hospital, I didn't necessarily know what would be the easiest and most comfortable for long days rounding. Going from sweats and jeans every day to dress clothes was a big transition, and if you are like me, your closet has to basically start from scratch.
I'm by no means a fashionista when it comes to my work clothing so this is a bare necessities shopping guide because - I get it - med students are on that student loan budget. Here's what I wore everyday and found comfortable and how to get high quality dress clothes that are affordable.
shoes black // shoes nude // pants // skirt // dress // tank top // striped top pictured (alternative here) // lightweight sweater //
SHOES
The most important thing you need is comfortable and professional shoes. You'll be on your feet for most of the day running around the hospital and some days I even tracked 5-6 miles! I recommend having 2-3 pairs of flats because you need to let each "air out" for a full 24 hours in between wears so they don't develop a smell. If they do get a smell you can use baking soda. I had four pairs of flats third year, and the two that lasted the entire time were the two pairs I linked above (I also tried Toms - comfortable but didn't last as long, and Target brand was a fail). If you want to splurge, then I'd 100% get a pair of Tieks, but even then you should at least have another pair to give each one a rest in between wears.
PANTS
Pants were easiest for me to throw on in the morning when I was tired at five a.m. and didn't know what to wear. I had one pair of black, brown, and grey that I wore almost every day. Unfortunately, the first three pairs I bought at a discount store and ended up paying the price because they stretched out or shrunk or got holes in them and I could no longer wear them. I went to JCrew Factory and picked out three more pairs of pants and they lasted the rest of the year and are still fine now. Everyone's pants fit different and pants are my least favorite to shop for, but I recommend going to an actual business clothes store for pants that you will be wearing all day long every day for years.
SKIRTS
Skirts, on the other hand, you can get away with discount store versions. I wore the same two skirts the entire year. Of course the length should only be an inch or two above the knee. I always wore panty hoes or black tights with my skirts. I think it eliminates the feelings of "is this appropriate?" from older attendings and I would never want to feel awkward or underdressed in a position where I'm being graded. Whether I think tights are out of style or if it is/isn't appropriate to be a professional in a hospital and show your legs is irrelevant because other people are judging me and I'd rather not have any question in my professionalism.
TOPS
I recommend sleeveless or short sleeved tops to alternate with your bottoms. I bought long sleeved flowy tops, but when I put my white coat on daily, it just was too hot and I ended up sweating through my sleeves. I have about five dress tank tops and four long-sleeved striped casual shirts. In the winter I occasionally wore a sweater, but usually I wore the same clothes on repeat every two weeks. It's easy to repeat outfits because you switch rotations so often! I recommend nordstromrack.com , lastcallneimanmarcus.com for high quality, unique, and affordable (<$30) tanks.
DRESSES
Just like skirts, length should only be 1-2 inches above the knee and in my opinion, I recommend covering your legs with tights for the reasons I said above. (Everyone has different beliefs, that's fine, it may not matter to some attendings) Dresses are my favorite to wear because it's like wearing comfy pajamas or sweats. I bought a few sale anthropologie dresses throughout the year online and they were (still are) my go-tos --- everything at anthro eventually goes on sale. A few too watch are here, here, and here (imagine your white coat over them, they'll be perfect).
What are your favorite tips for dressing professional and comfortable during long days (and nights) in the hospital?