What to Wear to the Doctor

“I can’t wait to see all the doctors,” a student said during orientation after hearing about our MSH health insurance benefits. I had the same thought when I enrolled last fall. It’d be a way to engage with the city on an intimate level while practicing the limited French I commanded. But this begged the question… what to wear?

In Paris, there is a known yet unspoken rule: athleisure stays in the gym. Wearing leggings and a sports bra beyond the studio feels almost out of place, a stark contrast to the United States. Across the Atlantic, a single outfit can carry you through the whole day; from a morning pilates class to an unexpected run in with an acquaintance. 

I haven’t seen this same kind of approach to fashion here, and I knew I needed to learn the art of seamless outfit changes if I were to be a proper Parisienne. Being under-or over-dressed can be a huge source of dread, and then throw in the complexity of outfit shifting in and out of the doctor? I knew I had much to learn. After much trial and error, I’m happy to report I’ve found the perfect outfit for the doctor, one that you too can adapt to your own style for the next appointment.

An open neckline top

The days I have a doctor’s visit, I sadly have to put away the turtleneck because the shoulders will need to be accessible for a good adjustment from the doctor. My uniform is always a tangerine red bateau neckline three-quarter sleeve from the brand Three Dots. Even though the top is nothing special, I get many compliments when I wear it – the beauty of a seasonal color analysis! Opting for a t-shirt or one where you can easily roll up the sleeves is also an excellent call.

Loose pants

My go-to pair of pants for the doctor are my Uniqlo wide-leg cotton-blend corduroy pants. They’re lovely on their own, sitting high on the hips and lending a crisp androgynous silhouette. They are also wonderful to layer, which makes them the perfect mask for the yoga pants underneath.

Yoga Pants

My pair of Lululemons has served me well, going from training sessions to visiting the osteopath. Mine are high-rise from the Wunder Train collection, but a small tip that sometimes a mid-rise might work better. Although tried and true, these yoga pants will never see the light of day on the streets of Paris as they're strictly reserved for the gym or at the doctor's office. 

Shoes

Going to the doctor is not the day for boots with laces. Instead, I opt for loafers, easy to slip on and off. Recently, I got the Nike Air Max Phenomena – half loafer and half sneaker and part of the collaboration with SWDC, or Serena Williams Design Crew.

Notable Mentions

Socks

Don’t embarrass yourself with a pair of socks that are on their last leg! The shoes come off at an appointment with the chiropractor or osteopath, so the best bet is to wear your newest pair of Calzedonias. I’m really enjoying my cotton pair that are olive green with a white trim at the top. (Natural fibers are always a good call.)

Bra top

Now, sometimes the top will have to come off depending on what the doctor is addressing. Be prepared and wear a sports bra or a bra top. My go to is the Uniqlo seamless bra designed with collaborator Mame Kurogouchi. It’s breathable with a ribbed knit, I have it in both navy and white.

Makeup

I made the mistake once of doing a full face of makeup before visiting the chiropractor. When I left, the mascara had all but transferred to the bottom of my face, like an unsuccessful Twiggy reference. Keep the foundation minimal, along with blush and highlighter. But don’t be surprised if it ends up on the sheet!

Hair

No fancy hairstyles at the doctor, especially if it’s the chiropractor or osteopath! A clip has been great for looking ready to hit the streets after leaving the clinic, but the clip has no place during the appointment. I’m often forgetting things, so I take one claw clip for an easy updo.

Scarf

The Parisians are onto something with the French drape. Wrap a scarf around as a simple way of upgrading your outfit, and also functionally to keep yourself warm with Paris’s fickle weather. The finishing touch on my uniform is a striped cashmere scarf. The gray and blue stripes against the red of my shirt is a play on a color combination from the Dictionary of Color Combinations, a holy grail for creating outfits that visually delight.

Now you’re ready for an effortlessly chic appointment. Bon courage!