shadowing a nurse manager.. is this appropriate?

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I'm shadowing a nurse manager and I was told to dress business causal. is this top appropriate?

Oldnavy.com | Old Navy

I bought it in a size smaller than I usually wear so it isnt as baggy as it is in that photo.. it's more fitted (not too tight, not too loose). I plan on wearing it with black pants, flat shoes, and a blazer. I don't want to wear any button downs.. I'm a rather round person (I carry all my weight in my tummy area) so when I sit down, buttons on shirts tend to pull unless I buy a bigger shirt.. then it's too baggy when I'm standing.

What do you guys think? Do you have any advice to dress it up more if necessary? or should I not wear that at all and find something else?

and if need be, would this be interview appropriate? I'm planning on applying to some places soon and I don't want to have to buy a whole new wardrobe haha

I was also going to wear minimal makeup (foundation, powder, curled lashes, lip gloss/balm and my eyebrows..I don't wear eyeshadow, liner, or mascara...so I'll pretty much be wearing my everyday makeup) and maybe a simple necklace

I was also planning on wearing my hair in a sock bun style or a side braid. I don't look good in hairstyles where you can't see my hair when looking at me head on because my head is too big (my boyfriend affectionately calls me pumpkin head..) so low ponytails or chignons are not an option.

what about nail polish? I know a majority of nurses can't or don't wear nail polish so should I remove it or go with a neutral color such as beige or taupe or an interview? (I personally think my hands and nails look better with polish.. I was cursed with my mom's mannish hands)

thanks!

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Not dressy enough. The general rule is to dress one position higher than you seek, and that top is too informal.

Blazer with nice shirt, with buttons or a shell (neither so sheer that your underwear shows through it) (seems funny to say that, but oh, what I've seen...), modest jewelry, and flats or very low heels. Since you won't be carrying a bag or ::shudder:: a backpack around all day, you can keep a pen and a small notebook in your blazer pocket.

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Not dressy enough. The general rule is to dress one position higher than you seek, and that top is too informal.

Blazer with nice shirt, with buttons or a shell (neither so sheer that your underwear shows through it) (seems funny to say that, but oh, what I've seen...), modest jewelry, and flats or very low heels. Since you won't be carrying a bag or ::shudder:: a backpack around all day, you can keep a pen and a small notebook in your blazer pocket.

Thanks for your advice! I'll start looking around for a shell then. However, is it okay for the hem of a shell to hang past the hem of the blazer? I'm not talking a lot, just an inch or so. The blazer falls right at my hips and I'm a curvy girl and I carry all my weight in my tummy area so tucking in shirts never looks right on me..

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I'm built the same way-- I get longer blazers. :)

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If your blouse is longer than your jacket, take your blouse to a tailor and get them to hem it.

Check Talbots.com for shells and blouses. They carry xs to 3x, so finding your size shouldn't be an issue.

Besides shells consider blouses with a single button at the back of the neck. Also look at very fine knit sweaters to wear under your suit jacket. A nice sweater set can also work for business casual. The cardigan equals casual jacket.

Also look at Misook.com. This brand is carried in the better department stores. It's rather expensive, but if you watch their web site, you can get them on sale at really good prices. They have a lot of shells that look good under jackets. Nothing will show through their shells.

Misook.com cleance items are NOT returnable, so be careful purchasing them. Their sizes are very consistent, so once you know your size, purchasing clearance is not a problem. Sale items ARE returnable. Also they frequently have 50% off all sale and clearance items, so you can get some really good prices if you watch the web.

The nice thing about Misook is that EVERYTHING including jackets are machine wash and dry! They still look good after a few years of washing. Another plus is their colors are very consistent. Navy jacket bought 2 years ago will match navy pants bought this year.

Word of caution about Misook clothes - They look dowdy on the models on the web site. They look dowdy hanging on the hangers in the store. They look wonderful on real women. I didn't even want to try on Misook, but the sales clerk talked me into it. I loved it the minute I put it on. I get compliments from strangers every time I wear something by Misook. I bought some for my mother, and the same thing happens to her.

Good luck with your shadowing and interviewing.

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thanks for all the advice everyone! I'll go out and look for some shells tomorrow I'll definitely check out misook too. thanks again!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

If you're on a budget try Kohls. They usually have a ton of really dressy outfits marked down sometimes up to 70% off. It'll only be worth it probably to be able to shop inside a store but you'll know for sure before you buy how the outfit looks on you and be ready to do what I call "power shopping" because there will be lots of racks all over the store to go through! Good luck!

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If you're on a budget try Kohls. They usually have a ton of really dressy outfits marked down sometimes up to 70% off. It'll only be worth it probably to be able to shop inside a store but you'll know for sure before you buy how the outfit looks on you and be ready to do what I call "power shopping" because there will be lots of racks all over the store to go through! Good luck!

I always forget about kohls! and I have a giftcard there too! thanks!

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Checked the Misook. Gorgeous, for sure.

But at $150 for a tank top ON SALE, I'll pass.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I agree with everyone: it seems a touch too casual for business casual.

Best of luck!

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Checked the Misook. Gorgeous, for sure.

But at $150 for a tank top ON SALE, I'll pass.

LOL. You have to wait until they have a sale with an additional 50% off the sale or clearance price. I've bought tanks for $50 and jackets for $100. Still not cheap, but they last forever, and you don't have to dryclean. Also they pack w/o wrinkles which is a plus if you are on the road as much as I am (180 nights per year in a hotel.)

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I went to Misook, I'll have to be a NP before I can afford socks from them. The clothing is beautiful though. Just a bit out of my price range.

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