Icing on the Cake: Pearls for Dress Attire

By Rob Melendez, MD and Kris Gillian, MD

Does dressing better mean you are more professional? Wearing a tie or a dress is not synonymous with professionalism. The purpose of this article is to provide pearls in projecting a professional image to your patients and to the public. Dressing well is merely icing on the cake. Eating cake alone is good, but with your favorite icing on the cake, it tastes even better and eating icing alone is good for awhile, but then it leads to emesis. The cake is the substance of professionalism (competence, concern, and communication). A well-dressed physician is the icing on the cake. Pearls in Ophthalmology (PIO) is about the cake, that is, focusing on competence, our concern for people, and improving our communication. Therefore, the icing on the cake in this case is a well-dressed physician. In future PIO issues, I will introduce what I refer to as sprinkles (Cuff Links, Knot Tying, Unique Socks, etc.). We will offer pearls for female physicians too.

I spoke to a friend of mine who shared his experiences at his first job after residency and how his other associates dressed too casually (no ties) and how he thought it affected the perception of him and his practice. He said, “I was really surprised to see my former employer walking around in Sketchers, black jeans and plaid button-down shirts to see patients. Next to him was me, wearing a lab coat, tie, and dress pants. It looked uneven, to say the least, and I'm sure it didn't help us to grow the practice. Needless to say, I moved on to partner with another group. Everyone wears a lab coat with our practice logo and name on our lab coats. Tie, dress pants, (or dress), is the attire, and I truly believe it injects confidence in the patient population.”

You have one opportunity to make your first impression in your new job (and fellowship and residency). Do your best to project a professional image. This article is not meant to tell you what to do, but is meant to provide some pearls to help you identify your compatibility with the existing norm in your practice. Understand your community and what they expect from their physicians. There are different norms across the country for dress attire. For example, read the article: “When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do, Pearls for Dress Attire” by Craig Wilkerson, MD in this issue of PIO. For example, in Hawaii, one may get away with dressing more casually because that is the norm. If this is how you like to dress, then this would be a great fit for you.

Practical Pearl:
Dress to impress the patient.
Shoes are the single most important item of your dress attire. I can recall on many occasions how I received numerous compliments on a pair of shoes that were “in style” and different from my standard shoes. If you are scheduling surgery on a patient, this one minor area, can reinforce their trust in you as a professional. Additionally, this will send a strong signal to your patients that you pay attention to the small details especially if your shoes are well shined.

Pearls:
- Above all else, be yourself.
- Press your Lab coats (I prefer heavy starch with a strong crease on the sleeves)
- Shine your shoes regularly
- Shave daily or Trim your beard and mustache often
- Cologne and Perfume: Use sparingly
- Dress professionally if you are a professional.

Pearls for the Fellow:
Pride yourself in looking your best. You are a junior faculty member representing the department and your respective University.

If you have articles or comments on this topic, please send them to me: editor@eyepearls.com