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Tips For Young Lawyers

Dress For Success, And For Fun
By:  Lindsey Griffin, Cobb Martinez Woodward, PLLC; Editor, poshandpoised.com

The practice of law seems to have a set of unspoken fashion rules such as “always dress conservative,” “wear neutral colors,” and “stick with suit separates.” With the fairly recent business-casual phenomenon, the rules seem to be changing. As lawyers, we are challenged to be creative, forward-thinking, problem solvers. Why then, have we resolved to be boring with fashion whether wearing business professional or business casual?

In the world of fashion, there are no rules, only boundaries to be mindful of depending on the day, the audience, and the setting. The practice of law is not so kind. Business attire is mandatory for court. The required dress for depositions, mediation, and deal negotiations typically follows suit. However, that does not mean you must check your personal style at the courthouse steps. There are easy, appropriate ways to inject fashion into your work wardrobe.

The truth is, your clients and colleagues will respect you more if your look is polished, sharp, and sophisticated. Even if the latest fashion trend is not on your radar, it is important to be mindful of your appearance. Fashion is a part of our everyday professional lives, so to just ignore it is not a solution. Here are five, practical tips for dressing for success, and for fun.

1.     The tailor is your best friend.
The rule of tailoring is basic, but so often forgotten. Tailoring is the number one key to good style. Fit is everything, particularly with work wear. Ill-fitting clothes are an automatic turn-off. You can get away with more liberal fashion choices if the fit is right and the overall look is polished. Start by investing in staple pieces made of high-quality fabrics. You are going to get a better fit if you go with wool or silk as opposed to rayon, nylon, or polyester. Then, have the clothes tailored to fit you perfectly. If it is within your budget, check into custom-made clothes. For men in particular, invest in a custom suit. It will last you for years and make a better impression on your clients and colleagues.    

2.     Dress for your body type.
Know what works for your body type and go with it. Do not dress outside of your comfort zone. For the ladies, A-line skirts, straight-leg trousers, and sheath dresses are safe bets for all body types. A belt can work wonders to define your waistline and streamline your look. For the men, know your measurements. Smaller is not always better. For a sleek and slim appearance, stick with darker colors and vertical patterns. Confidence is key, so work with what you have.   

3.     Be mindful of your clients.
How to dress around clients depends on who your client is. Get to know your clients, including their typical dress, then dress accordingly. For example, I represent lawyers and accountants. My lawyer clients are often in suits. Thus, when meeting with them, I also typically wear a suit. My accountant clients usually dress more casually. When meeting to discuss audits or tax returns with my CPA clients, I go for business casual. Contrary to popular lawyer opinion, defaulting to a suit is not always the right answer. A suit can be intimidating for a client who is not accustomed to that attire. You know the saying, when in Rome….

4.     Go bold in small doses.
If you have the itch to incorporate a new trend or style into your work wardrobe, start with your accessories. Shoes, jewelry, and bags are a great way to be fashion forward at work without shocking your co-workers and clients. For example, ladies, leopard heels function as a neutral and add a bit of pop to any work outfit. A bright bag or statement necklace will also do the trick. Gentlemen, your options are more limited, but your choice of tie is definitely the place to express yourself. Pick a tie in a bold print or bright color to stand out. Better yet, try a bowtie.

5.     When in doubt, go conservative, but not boring.
At the end of the day, we are still professionals in a field that is behind the fashion curve. Therefore, we must mind our fashion manners. When in doubt about what is appropriate to wear, lean towards the conservative side. In a client-driven industry, the number one goal is to make a good impression on your clients, both in your appearance and how you handle their case or deal. You only get to make a first impression once, so put your best fashion foot forward.

Lindsey Griffin is an associate in the law firm of Cobb Martinez Woodward PLLC, where she focuses her practice on professional-liability defense. Ms. Griffin is also the founder and editor of Posh & Poised, a fashion blog for female professionals.