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... Should I be spending $ on stuff I can't wear to work?

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

As we all know, fashion $ only stretches so far - and while I'm interested in expanding my casual wardrobe, this has caught my eye - the dress meets my length requirements for work (38 to 40"), but the pattern probably isn't appropriate for work (#2 detail).

I am not sure what to do about this - it wouldn't be a very expensive purchase for me (I have about $90 store credit, so it would only be about $20 for me); I can always sit on it and wait for something more fabulous.

I think though, this dress would be super fun to wear when I don't have patients - I already have forged out a bit of a reputation as a funky dresser, so I don't think it would shock staff too much. Starting next year, there is one day a week where I don't have any patients so I can wear whatever I want, and that will be an interesting experience, I think!

A "work but no patients" dress ... "going out with friends" or ... "wait for better"?

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26 replies

Latest reply was from cheryl

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I think you need a non work wardrobe. Plus that pattern is all kinds of awesome.

Sona

Veteran

there has to be a date/fun capsule with limited items but still a 'required' capsule in my books!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Tee hee. Non-work, what is that Anna? I shouldn't complain though, my call frequency has dropped from 1:4 to 1:7 - thank goodness for seniority!

Date ... ? What is this activity of which you speak, Sona?

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Ok I admit as a resident you don't get a whole lot of free time. I still like the pattern. Do you like it enough that in a few years, when you have a lot more free time you still wear it? I totally get what you are saying. I finally realized I have very few non scrubs days and it is forcing me to reconsider many a purchase

Sona

Veteran

date can be as simple as a bubble bath, candles lit just for you and some self time...if you know what I mean....

Thistle

Veteran

You need non-work clothes. I fell into the rut of buying nay for work and ignoring my social capsule.

Jules

Veteran

Don't get all existential NOW, when you clearly must. have. that. dress!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

@ Anna - I hope to be able to fit it :p They say that psych residents gain about 20 lbs through residency. I am terrified! HAHA!

@ Sona - Would you believe I don't have a bathtub that works? I should get that fixed :p I enjoy my self-dates...

@ Thistle - Ah; I need to start a social capsule!

@ Jules - CLEARLY! YES!

Anonymous

I love that pattern. If the cut was not flared, I'd be tempted!

rachylou

Veteran

Well, I do find it's most satisfying to spend the bulk of your budget on the type of clothes you wear most. That said, a girl needs fun clothes and you have to have that dress.

That pattern is too awesome!!!!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I did have to laugh when I saw the close up. I would be delighted to see my doctor had a morbid sense of humor but I don't imagine I represent the majority there. Get the dress, the occasion will come later!

Isabel

Veteran

Lyn, as a doctor, you probably shouldn't wear this on a date..it could be viewed as a threat. LOL !

Shevia, I laughed so hard at your post.

Echo

Veteran

Agreed that that pattern is all kinds of awesome. It is a must-buy.

Anonymous

I saw a variant that is all toile on modcloth -- cute!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I shall receive it in 14 to 21 days! Thanks guys!

@ Ceit - I don't think it's very flared; they had a similar style of dress that I tried on and it's more of an A-line.

@ Rachylou - This is definitely a fun dress!

@ Shevia - If I was a family doc, I'd totally wear this to see patients, especially if I had established some type of rapport with them! Now I'll have to think of a special way to wear it. HALLOWEEN????!!!!!

@ Isabel - Especially if I bring my samurai-sword handled umbrella?

@ Echo - Can't wait for it to come!

Eliza

Veteran

The dress is a fun choice if it fits you well and you have places besides work to wear it. I like the irony of the classic style paired with the print.

Don't know what your residency environment involves, so my thoughts could be irrelevant. Based on my experience working in teaching hospitals as well as tending hospitalized loved ones, this is not something I would wear to work if there was any chance of patient contact or visibility.

I do think it would be a lot of fun to wear elsewhere, though. I know that a sense of humor is a big part of what makes this work possible. I guess it comes down to whether a non-work dress is worthwhile to you now. Hope it you decide to try it.

Oops . Just cross posted. Glad you decided to go for it.

Raisin

Veteran

Love the dress! Too funny!

Of course you should get clothes that you can only wear outside of work. I mean, if they work well for work then great, but if you love it and its only for fun, that's fine too. If all our clothes had to be appropriate for work too then I guess I'd have to wear my uniform everyday!

Jules

Veteran

My friend actually had her therapist or shrink look askance at her skull-patterned something and try to start a conversation about her possible morbid obsessions or something. She never did form a therapeutic bond with that one. So she would probably LOVE to see you professionally in that dress!

Eta, YAY for ordering it!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

@ Ceit - Yup, it's from Modcloth

@ Eliza - You're right, I wouldn't want to wear it in sensitive areas; such as if a patient was dying, or around their family. I guess the tricky part is even if I don't have clinical duties, I can always run into someone in the hall.

@ Raisin - Your uniforms are so sharp, though!

@ Jules - She sounds like she went to see a psychoanalytic shrink. Oh, I can tell you a lot what I think about psychoanalysis ...

Archer

Veteran

I am always pretty god at keeping my work and non-work items discrete but blouses and shirts get shared often. I do think it is important to be aware of the professional impression you give with clothes, especially if you are not working with a repeat client base - which I am not sure if you are or are not.
You would also know that you HAVE to have sometime to relax. Love the candles in the bath - works for me, but doesn't need a particular wardrobe really.

Krista

Veteran

Chiming in late and after you've purchased the dress (yay!) but, in short, yes, you should have a non-work wardrobe! I generally cross-pollinate items from work and casual wear into outfits (sorry, cross-pollinate was the only word I could think of!) but I do have a few things that are solely for outside of work. I think what you want more than anything is a functional wardrobe where you are "wearing the heck out of your clothes!" as Angie would say. So, as long as you buy something for outside of work that is getting fairly regular rotation (as much as your schedule will allow), then I think you're sorted.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I LOLed when I saw the print up close...clicking on the thumbnail thinking, "why, it's just a classic toile..." No, I would not wear that around patients, but what a great piece for non-work! I think you really do need pieces that are specifically non-work ones.

annaj

Veteran

The dress is certainly fun, however, when I was buying work vs other clothes, I'd often choose my "others" based on whether they could be worn to work later on down the track. If you are unsure about this being work appropriate, I'd wait - there are always great options, and I know you're great at finding them!!

goldenpig

(website)

Veteran

Awesome print, too funny. The dress is totally you! I think you could wear it on non-patient days or out on the town. I had a pregnant skeleton hoodie sweatshirt that was kind of controversial but I wore it for Halloween with the kids in skeleton pajamas.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I think it's fine to buy for outside of work. Heck, most of what I buy I can't wear to work. But therein lies the rub. At some point we have to decide what portion of our budget we want to spend in which categories.
I am swinging back the other way now, to thinking I should spend more on my non exciting uniform needs. Sigh. I'd rather buy fun stuff!

cheryl

Veteran

Very unique. You need fun clothes when you are off work. I'm glad you ordered it.