Law Firm Fashion: Suit Up or Go Casual?

Forget about fashion-we're lawyers, right? Just slip on that boring old suit, and get to work on important stuff like research, negotiations and writing briefs.

It's a view I've heard before: lawyers know how to dress professionally-in suits-and should focus on legal matters rather than fashion. But how true is that? Randall Ryder's recent post on the Lawyerist explored whether suits should be the rule for lawyers. Ryder suggests that aside from court appearances and meetings with opposing counsel, lawyers can leave their suits on the hangers. For Ryder, ditching the suit isn't just about being more comfortable-which he does note could make clients feel more at ease-it's about marketing yourself.

According to Ryder, wearing clothes that relate more to your clients can help you build your personal brand. For example, entertainment lawyers who deal with musicians and artists may bond better with their clients if they dress casually. Ryder acknowledges that casual outfits like t-shirts and jeans may not be plausible for BigLaw attorneys-but solo attorneys and those at small law firms may have more fashion freedom.

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