DRESSING THE PART
How you dress sends a distinct message about you, and the initial impression someone has of you is indeed a lasting one. In Mary Mitchell’s book The First Five Minutes, she states “judgments that people make about us in the first moments after we meet them are more strongly influenced by how we look than by anything else.”
Our profession is a conservative one, and your appearance matters regardless of whether you are a volunteer, paid law clerk or attorney. If you want to be taken seriously, look the part, and be aware that some will draw conclusions about your abilities based on what you wear
The overarching general rules for both men and women include: no piercings (except earrings for women), no visible tattoos, keep nails relatively short and well-groomed, keep hair well-groomed and make sure your shoes are polished. Also, remember that you’re not in school – carry a briefcase and not a backpack.
To save money on professional attire shop sales, stay away from fads and trendy clothing, and buy complimentary colors so you can interchange items. Another good bit of advice is to buy good quality clothing that you can wear for awhile instead of buying cheap clothing that you’ll have to replace shortly. Quality, classic clothing will take you a long way.
Once you are at the office, pay attention to what other attorneys wear and dress accordingly. Until you get an idea of how you should dress, it’s always best to err on the more conservative, formal side. You will never get criticized for dressing too conservatively when you start your new job. Further, know what “business casual” means in your office, as it tends to differ from office to office. If you’re not sure, ask! One thing is certain, however – business casual is not the same thing as law school casual. And remember that business casual is not appropriate when you will be having contact with a client.
Remember that Boy Scout motto, “Be prepared.” Always have something formal at work in case your plans for the day change and you’re asked to go to court or meet with a client at the last minute.
