Dress Code for Lawyers
Jun 13, 2011 · Acceptable clothing for men includes casual slacks, khakis, short or long-sleeved dress shirts, crew and V-necked sweaters with a collared shirt, and cardigans. Acceptable shoes include thin- to medium-sole leather shoes, lace-up loafers, dock shoes, or Rockport style.
Jul 30, 2019 · What is the best courtroom attire for women lawyers? What are the best suits to wear to court -- and must you wear heels and pantyhose? We discuss many topics relating to conservative offices and looking professional as a young woman -- but below is collection of our best posts discussing fashion questions about court appearances.
Avoid casual styles of shirts, like halter styles, tank tops, or tops with cutouts. Female lawyers may wear heels or flats, although the color should still be neutral, and heel height kept within reason.
Suits, blazers, and suit jackets are a common standard in law firm dress codes. While there’s rarely a stipulation that these should be tailored, it’s a good idea regardless. Bespoke pieces are always the best option; they’re made just for you, and they put a seamless finish on your appearance.
Navy, dark to medium grays, and even charcoal are ideal suit colors. If you prefer lighter tones, a subtle gray is ideal. These color pairs are standard dress code for both male and female lawyers. While black is usually a safe choice for many professions, lawyers tend to avoid it.
A tailored suit is a great option for women lawyers, although for women, a black suit is more acceptable in a legal setting than it is for men.
While the cut and style varies for male and female lawyers, a t-shirt simply won’t do. Just like with suits (and any other piece of your outfit), dress shirts should be pressed and wrinkle free. Light colored dress shirts are standard, with most lawyers choosing white, cream, or a classic light blue tone.
Keep it simple. If you wear a French cuff or double cuff shirt, go with simple cufflinks in gold or silver. Stay clear of precious stones, maybe semi precious stones, in multiple colors as well as enamel. It’s simply over the top. Apart from cufflinks, a wedding band is acceptable and maybe a signet ring or a pinkie ring if you wear it, or if you’re at an interview or you’re just starting out, it may be wise not to wear that and just keep it plain and simple.
A suit is the hallmark of a lawyer’s wardrobe. An ideal suit would be a single-breasted one, with a notched lapel. Ideally, you have some cuffs at the bottom or you can go without a cuff, maybe you want pleats, maybe you just want an iron crease.
When it comes to patterns, solid colors and a plain weave are your friends. For a year-round suit, a worsted wool is great. If you want a winter suit, a flannel is ideal, and if you’re in a hotter climate, maybe opt for a fresco wool because it’s breathable. Apart from solids, a subtle stripe can also be acceptable.
Suit Colors: Navy Blue & Charcoal Are Best. In terms of suit colors, you want to keep it professional, so navy blue and charcoal are your friends. Black is usually something worn at evening events, or for funerals, not at an office. Some will even argue navy or blue are better than grey because it connotates truth.
I think these days, you can find a lot of lawyers with a beard. So if you decide to go that route, make sure you have a clean well-groomed beard and own it, and wear it with confidence. No matter if you go with a beard or clean-shaven, wear it with confidence and it will make you look very professional like a proper lawyer. To learn more about the topic, check out our in-depth grooming & shaving guides here.
Above all, you should exercise good taste and common sense when you're selecting appropriate business attire. Both casual and business attire should be clean, pressed, and wrinkle-free, without holes or frayed areas. Small logos like Polo or Izod are acceptable, but pictures and large splashes of promotional information on shirts or slacks are not.
Acceptable clothing for men includes casual slacks, khakis, short or long-sleeved dress shirts, crew and V-necked sweaters with a collared shirt, and cardigans. Acceptable shoes include thin- to medium-sole leather shoes, lace-up loafers, dock shoes, or Rockport style.
Acceptable clothing for women includes lightweight sweaters such as turtlenecks, crew, V-neck, and cardigans. Vests worn with short or long-sleeved shirts are also acceptable, as well as blouses, knit tops, and collared polo shirts. Acceptable pants include khakis, linen blends, silk, twills or corduroy, and Capri pants that end close to the ankle.
Dressing appropriately is essential to getting your clients and peers to view you as such. “Your appearance is your first impression and when people hire attorneys they expect them to look a certain way, especially if they’re paying you a high retainer,” said Joleena Louis, a solo attorney practicing family law.
According to Business Insider, research shows that your appearance strongly influences other people’s perception of your financial success, authority, trustworthiness, intelligence, and suitability for hire or promotion.
If you gain or lose weight, you should revisit your tailor to adjust your wardrobe. Clothing that fits well will always be more comfortable, which will make you feel more confident. You simply cannot perform your best when you lack confidence and people have a natural ability to tell when someone is not confident.
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