Good Grooming for Goodness Sakes!

Looking good or personal appearance goes beyond knowing how to dress…it includes grooming. This means that when you put on your suit or business casual outfit it is always clean, stain and wrinkle free and fits. It also means your appearance is given as much thought as your clothes. For dressing tips see the previous entry Dressing the Part.

Don’t forget to keep your shoes looking good. Wipe them off if they get dirty. Polish them. Re-sole and re-heel as necessary. As a professional you will carry a briefcase rather than a backpack, be sure your briefcase is clean too. Wipe it off or treat with leather polish as necessary.

Being well groomed in the legal profession does mean no visible tattoos. So, if you have a tattoo be sure that your clothing covers it, or use make up to do so. All facial piercings must go. Remove any nose, eyebrow, tongue, or lip rings you have. In addition, men should not wear an earring(s) and women should only have one earring per earlobe. You are entering a conservative profession and need to look the part while at work.

Be sure you hair is clean and neat. Make sure your hair is a natural hair color, blue or green hair in the legal profession just won’t fly. Men trim you mustache and beard and by no means ever wear “five o’clock shadow” to work.

Don’t go overboard with cologne or perfume. No one should be able to smell you across the room! Women don’t go overboard with your makeup; it’s the office not a bar or nightclub. Also, watch your jewelry don’t wear too much and be sure no piece comes across as “bling” – this goes for both men and women.

Be sure your nails are neat, clean, and trimmed. If you wear nail polish make sure it is not too bright, you don’t want you nails to distract from you.

These are some general grooming tips…you get the idea, take the time to be neat and clean.