Avoid Professional Fashion Gaffes

What Summer Associates and New Attorneys Should NOT Wear to the Office

As fashion changes, you might be wondering if it is acceptable yet to wear shorts suits or dressier tank tops to the office.  Then there's those nagging questions about how long your skirts should be.  And how about sandals? 

So much of this depends upon the office culture of your firm, but law firms generally tend to be more formal than some business settings. It is best to go to work your first couple of days wearing the type of clothes you wore for your interview, and observe the styles worn by your supervisors.  Don't necessarily follow the lead of other associates because there could be someone who is a bit too brave in their choices.  Supervisors will be wearing what they think is appropriate, so take a cue from them.

Be sure your hair style is appropriate as well.  The professional fashion site Corporette suggests that a  high pony-tail or bun (above the ears) is not adviseable, while a low pony-tail works almost anywhere.

Follow this link if you are wondering about the appropriate skirt length.

Then there's the question of footwear.  Flip flops would almost always get the "never" tag for law office attire, while nice sandals might make the wearable list.  Definitely assess what your supervisors are wearing before considering sandals. Unless you work at Quinn, Emanuel, Urquhart & Sullivan where shorts, flip-flops and even cut offs are  not only allowed but encouraged, according to the ABA Journal.

Read about additional fashion "dos and dont's" for new attorneys and associates in this post on Corporette.

Sources:

Corporette

ABA Journal