Professional Medical Attire

With internships on the near horizon, I anticipated the necessity for lots of preparation, however I didn't predict feeling of being slapped in the face with piles upon piles of paperwork, forms, and "voor je coschappen gaan doen" check-lists. This is not to say I haven't been enjoying the preparation, so far I have read a lot of interesting articles about the practical preparation for ECGs, diagnostics of anaemia, and many many research proposals for my upcoming WESP (wetenschapparticipatie) module, but there was one element of preparation I had not been looking forward to - creating a professional wardrobe. In my third year I had been working in hospitals and clinics across the Netherlands once or twice a week, for this recycling the same black skirt and blouse had been sufficient, but for 5 full days a week at the same places for long stretches of time this would not cut it.

Not naturally a smart or professional looking person, I am grateful that I will mostly be wearing my long white coat while working (unlike my younger sister, who is also currently completing her medical internships in the UK), allowing me to wear slightly more comfortable things. Not normally a big fan of shopping, on my sister's recommendation I'd planned the most fun way possible to complete this task - a charity shop trawl armed with £60 and our professional-attire-adviser mum. So, here is what I got and how I created a complete professional wardrobe for under £60 in one afternoon!

Rules:
- Nothing below the elbows
- Everything longer than my white coat
- No earrings bigger than 1cm
- Nothing low cut
- Nothing skin-tight/form-fitting
- Nothing white white (same colour as the coat!)
- No tattoos
- Professional!
*My own extra rules: comfortable to run around in, easy to wash, preferably not likely to require ironing!

Trousers
I already have a plain black skirt, and my Dominique skirt which are both acceptable for working in a hospital, so I concentrated on finding trousers in charity shops. This was also because towards the end of the year it is going to be far too cold to wear skirts, and also in general I am much more comfortable and happy in trousers.

From left to right, I got lilac Oasis trousers for £1 in Princess Alice, beige and white Zara trousers for £5 in Shooting Star trust, and grey Topshop trousers for £4 from Cancer research. Surprised to find things which were from expensive high-street shops which actually fit within the first 3 charity shops I visited, I was very happy!

Total: £10

trousers!

Tops

In addition to 2 black vests and 2 white vests (at £1.50 each) to wear underneath other things, I found 6 tops in the charity shops. In Cancer Research I got a print H&M blouse and New Look shirt with collar (top left and bottom middle) for £3 each, in the British Heart foundation I got an atmosphere print vest (top middle) for £3, and in Princess Alice I got a black topshop shirt, white forecast blouse, and floral atmosphere blouse (top right, bottom left, and bottom right) for £1 each. 

Total: £18

tops!

Shoes

I already had a pair of smart black shoes from working in hospitals last year, and was super excited to find a second similar pair my size in brown in Fara for £15, and although my fashion knowledge is lacking even I am aware that Kurt Geiger is a pretty good brand! (or is it designer?)

Total: £15

comfortable, hooray!

Other

Sadly coming to an end of my tradition of only wearing mismatched socks, I also picked up a whole load of plain black socks (as well as boring plain black underwear!) for £15, before coming home. 

Total: £15

Outfits

I am happy with everything I got, and think I did an acceptable job of buying only a few things which all match each other - this should make it possible to rearrange everything to make lots of different combinations! I couldn't resist trying out a few when I got home, here are my favourites!

grey & black

purple & black

dominique & cream

beige & print

I am over the moon with everything I got today, and by scouring peoples old stuff, giving money to good causes, and spending the day with someone fun made it a much more enjoyable experience. And I kept within my budget spending only £58!! (although this rises to £61 when considering bus fare, but I'm choosing to omit that...) Now armed with comfortable smart outfits that I am actually looking forward to wearing (although unfortunately will probably have to iron), I am on my way to being ready to begin my Beschouwend internship in Roermond in September. Making the most of a few of my favourite things that I won't be able to wear often after I start; my nose ring (which I got in Athens with an amazing friend), my favourite earrings (from another excellent friend in Manchester), my watch (which was a graduation gift), and my favourite bracelet (from yet another lovely friend in Haarlem), and now in my new favourite trousers, I am off to buy groceries for dinner before finishing off my forms for reimbursement of travel between Maastricht and Roermond. Tot volgende keer!

my favourite things