Do wear:

• A navy or charcoal suit jacket (or blazer) — it’s the safest, most universally flattering choice and reads as serious and polished
• A solid-color dress shirt or blouse underneath, in a light color that contrasts with the jacket
• A conservative tie if you’re wearing one — solid or subtle pattern, nothing bold
• Minimal, simple jewelry — small studs or a plain watch, nothing that draws the eye away from your face

Don’t wear:

• A white coat. This trips people up because it feels like “looking the part,” but most photographers and studios recommend skipping it for your primary ERAS photo — programs expect a clean, professional business portrait, not a clinical one. (If you want a white-coat shot too, that’s fine as a bonus photo for LinkedIn or a hospital bio page — just not your main ERAS submission.)
• Scrubs — too casual for this photo, even though it’s technically “medical attire”
• Busy patterns, loud colors, or anything low-cut or revealing
• Excessive jewelry or anything that could look distracting at thumbnail size (reviewers will often see this photo small, in a queue with hundreds of others)