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surohtt- Thank you,amiqxbi.Great site.
Do you have any insight into the current professional opinion on long hair. I am about to start in a law firm at 26, and I have longish blond hair. Is there still a stigma that this is unprofessional?
When is it appropriate to wear a dress as opposed to a suit? I have always considered dresses as “fun” items to be worn on the weekend. However, I’ve noticed that you’ve featured several professional-looking dresses on this site, and I have also noticed several lawyers on Drop Dead Diva wearing dresses around the office. Can you give us any guidelines? Is wearing a dress ever appropriate in court?
dmjhgfs- Thank you, kzzmyzx. Great site.
Can I *not* dye my hair and still look professional? I’m in my mid-twenties but fast going grey… runs in the family. However, I’ve never dyed or highlighted my hair and I really don’t want to. Call it laziness, cheapness, principle, whatever. Am I able to start my job in BigLaw with my greying hair, or is it too unprofessional? I really resent that I might be “forced” to dye it just for the sake of convention…
I hate to be like this, but a lot of my male classmates are balding and you don’t see any of them asking whether they should start doing something about that. *sigh* I have no idea what you should do, but it seems the grey hair concern is repeated a few times here.
This limited suit is so cute and probably deserves to be on your list of picks: http://www.thelimited.com/detail/ruffle-wrap-lapel-jacket/2218753 The problem is, two girls at the office already have it. I love the jacket’s ruffle wrap style. Any ideas on something similar?
the sites that advertise on your website, are they legitimate? I just clicked on a Christian Louboutin outlet site and they advertise shoes for 70-80 percent off list price! Are these shoes real? are they knockoffs? I would love to order 20 pair, but I don’t want to order fake shoes.
Hi – I was coming here to post the exact same question! Has anyone ordered from that site? their return policy seems really, really vague.
Story Request – Do you have any recommendations / style tips for purchasing regular prescription eyeglasses? Obviously it has a lot to do with one’s face shape, but what should one look for? Are plastic-rimmed acceptable in a courtroom setting, or are wire-rimmed more professional? I’m young and have always had a problem with glasses making me look like a librarian, but I worry that glasses that are too “trendy” might make me look silly in the professional world. Any thoughts?
Would anyone be willing to share their email for a fellow reader coveting a Rue La La membership?
Any tips on luggage for business travel? And what about dress when yuo are traveling for work? If you are going to a meeting, obviously a suit is in order but if you are traveling on an “off day” (before or after a meeting, etc) is it acceptable to dress more casually?
I’d love to see a “What are you wearing today?” forum, one day,just for fun. I’d insist on absolute truth , so we can all gauge just how many of us are quite as buttoned up as we seem from our comments on the featured clothes and each other’s mail.
For the record today I’m wearing cream cuffed wide legged pants, navy shell over white singlet top, navy blazer, long cream resin necklace, couple of gold bangles and rings, gold ball stud earrings and caramel slingbacks with caramel birkin bag. Meetings in office, but not outside or in court plus it’s spring here in Oz.
I’ll play. I am wearing khaki dress pants with a corduroy blazer, turtleneck and loafers. I am traveling all day today. No meetings – just a travel day so I am a bit more casual than normal.
hey there!
I’m wearing khakis with a baby blue button down shirt (long sleeves) and flats… it’s friday and i don’t wanna bother wearing something fancy or with heels
I’m late to the party, but here’s my answer:
I’m wearing a grey tweedy dress with a thin fabric belt made of the same fabric. Black opaque stockings, black peep-toe patent leather shoes. Both the dress and shoes I actually got at Target online, but they look expensive and I’ve gotten compliments on both. In addition I have on a black stretchy blazer that I’m wearing because my office is currently a bit chilly (not for formality reasons). A small silver hoop earring (quite a tiny hoop, I’m not a fan of long earrings to the office) and a silver necklace with an amethyst stone pendant complete the outfit.
I am loving the suits on “The Good Wife”. Any idea where they are getting the clothes on the show? I will be watching to get ideas.
My new favorite show! Also love her clothes. Would be interested in the answer to this post.
I will be attending a colleague’s wedding and the dress code specifies floor length dresses for women. My colleagues and boss will be there. I was planning to wear a red silk floor length skirt OR an ivory silk skirt with a black sleeveless beaded top. Is that ok? They are very dressy though separates. (I don’t look that great in floor length dresses – knee length is where it stops for me – and as I’m a US size 8, I don’t fancy competing with a roomful of size 0/2 which is the average in Singapore).
I think I have found the best pumps I’ve ever worn…Stuart Weitzman, Pokiless…comfortable and soft like a ballet slipper, but really cute–round toe, 1 inch heel, that is round, not pointy, in black suede or in a beautiful brown/gold/black patent leather…only problem I just noticed is that they no longer are on sale on the Nordstrom’s website. They were around $175, but now are $295.
I’ve heard the only appropriate/classic/timeless color for a trench coat is khaki. Thoughts?
Hi C,
Love your site, have been a reader for awhile. I’m a mid-level associate at a law firm and check the site every morning.
I have a couple of ideas:
There were many “comprehensive” type posts that you did before your readership exploded – such as what food to keep in your office; staying healthy; and the “10 things” posts. I enjoy reading the many comments on your recent posts, but since these were posted awhile ago, they didn’t get many comments. Can you repost or link them so newer readers can be directed to them and maybe start discussions on these topics?
I think your outfit pairing suggestions are interesting and often not things I would think of myself. If you have any extra time to devote to this blog, polyvore-type images would be great to get more outfit ideas!
Thanks for keeping up a great site!
Can you please suggest winter boots that will get me through the Chicago winter but also won’t embarrass me when I walk into the office? Clearly I change shoes but there is still awkward walk through my building. I have been looking for years for boots that are waterproof, warm, and professional. I will pay any price!
I work in Chicago too and I recently bought these… http://www.zappos.com/n/p/p/7540660/c/1732.html
I don’t tuck my pants into them like I see some women do…and they perhaps aren’t the absolutely most comfortable things to walk in (not like a running shoe or hiking boot), but they are fairly comfy and easy to walk in, and warm.
But best of all, they are sleek under my dress pants, the low heel makes it look a bit more like a “normal shoe” and the are waterproof! Because we both know, the snow doesn’t collect so much as it does melt into giant puddles.
Since buying them, I’ve noticed a ton of women wearing rain boots all winter long…
I have bought both Aquatalia and La Canadienne in New York winters. They are not 100% waterproof, but pretty close to it (i.e. you can walk into as much snow as you want, and a couple of puddles of slush a day before you get wet). And they are warm (linned for snow) and have professional styles. Although Aquatalia has gone a bit more trendy and less office-appropriate. They are expensive (approx $400), but I wear them every day and they’ve lasted 2 winters. Well worth the price.
I love your site :)
I relocated to the East Coast from Arizona for my job and I am clueless when it comes to fall/winter clothes because I’m so used to t-shirt/jeans and the occasional hoodie. The thought of wearing turtlenecks hasn’t crossed my mind since I was in high school, but then I saw the ultrafine turtlenecks being sold at GAP. I was wondering how one would go about creating an outfit or dressing it up for work. Please advise. Thank you!
I’m a lawyer in the Northeast, and work in-house where the dress code is business casual. I normally wear nice trousers with dress shirts or nice sweaters, but I’d like to start wearing more business appropriate dresses. The problem is I don’t always know what to wear on my legs, particularly in the fall/winter when going without tights/hose is not an option. I’m ok with black/dark gray or brown skirts and dresses, when I normally wear black or brown opaque tights and shoes or boots. But what about other colors? Is sheer hose completely passe now? What other color tights or tights/shoe combinations are appropriate for the office? What about gray tights/gray shoes? Several dresses from Boden have caught my eye as possibly appropriate for the office, and two of the colors I love are dark green and a sort of grayish slate blue: http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH177-DAM/Womens-Damson-Melange-Fixed-Wrap-Knitted-Dress.html and http://www.bodenusa.com/en-US/Womens-Dresses/Knee-Length-Dresses/WH162-DBL/Womens-Nightshade-Immaculate-Wool-Dress.html. What do you think?
Sweater vests! Can you do a story on where to buy and some good options?
Do you have suggestions for places to get an off-season suit? Have to prep for an interview in SoCal in January…
Thanks.
I’m a bit of a late bloomer. I’m in my mid-40’s and a 1L. Two years ago I stopped coloring my hair. I now have a beautiful head full of silvery hair, which I love. My face and figure are young, I have no wrinkles, I’m slender and keep in shape. I’m concerned about interviewing for summer intern positions, and re-entering the workforce competing against much younger associates. Is my silver hair going to work against me?
YES, LG–in my experience, your silver hair will date you among your younger peers, and your supervisors. I had tried to go naturally gray, and loved it, at least until an older woman told me I looked like I had “let myself go.” If your face and figure look young, rinse that gray away at least until you’ve established your position in the firm.
I disagree. I know a beautiful attorney who is just as you described, with actually quite nice silvery hair (which really is slightly different than grey). I think you have to own it and wear it proudly. Your age, clothes, and general life experience will ‘date’ you much more than silvery hair. If, for example, you see some one with silvery hair who has clearly not taken the time to brush, blow dry, straighten, whatever, then that person’s hair will constantly be working against them. But if you see someone with silvery hair who has clearly taken the time to “do” her hair, then I do not think it will work against. And those who judge you by it are not worth your time (nor money nor energy) to change the color.
What kinds of watches are considered professional for a conservative office? I still wear my inexpensive stainless steel Fossil watch from high school, and I’m wondering if I should upgrade, and if so, to what? What styles of watches are people wearing? I would love to see a story on this.
JF:
I would suggest you get a basic tonneau (tank) watch with a leather strap, a classic look that never goes out of style. If you’re feeling bold, get a larger size. Watches can be a fashion statement, but I would not go crazy trying to fake the look of bling when a simple classic watch will suffice. You might also want to look at men’s chronographs for a bold but straightforward look that’s great with tailored suits. Avoid cheap watches with fake-looking stones or super-trendy colors. A good quartz movement watch shouldn’t cost more than $100. When you’re able to afford a Swiss watch, buy one!
Thank you, Mary!
What is “Hollywood Tape”? See excerpt below from your “button down shirt” article. Some of my casual shirt collars gap open revealing my tee shirt as if I were a dupty sheriff or something. Some shirt brands (Nautica) have the first button below the collar close enough to the collar to prevent gapping. Others do too but are too close to the collar and feel tight. Have considered ironing stiff iron-on fabric vertically under the shirt next to the buttons to act as stays. Have once sewed on velcro which is okay but need a better way.
9. Gaping: If your shirt is gaping, this could mean a few things. A) You need a larger size, and should take it to a tailor to get it to fit you the way you want it to. B) You need to wear a camisole beneath it, so when you turn to the side people don’t get a view of your bra. C) You can experiment with Hollywood Tape and so forth to keep it from gaping — we’ve found the camisole is just easier.
Maybe a crazy idea/question, but do you know about “random number generators?” For days when I just have no inspiration for what to wear, I wish there were a “random outfit generator.” If I were more energetic, I could list my clothing items and randomly pick one (if only a top or bottom) and work around that. Does anyone else just have blah mornings when you have no inspiration and wish some adviser would appear and say “wear the black suit” or “wear the cords and the grey sweater?” Since I am in a business casual environment (unless there is a big meeting or court) there is a lot of latitude, but if I have no bright idea, the latitude does not help, just makes it tougher to focus.
Hello Corporette! Thanks for continuing to endorse Professional Dress. We have added you to our blogroll — come over and check us out. We’d love to hear your feedback.
Faculty and staff of the Businesswomens’ Finishing School and Social club
Here’s my question — how do you get through the next day when you’ve pulled an all-nighter? Easy answer would be to change into the back-up outfit you’ve got hanging on the back of your door and power up with a quad latte. But suppose you don’t have a back-up outfit at the ready? And you’ve got dark circles under your eyes?
It is possible to have a suit-jacket tailored to remove or reduce the chest darts? I’m very flat chested and having a hard time finding a jacket that works. I found a great Hugo Boss one on sale, but am worried that the baggy chest area can’t be altered away.
I am a 2L studying international human rights law and have applied to several organizations outside of the U.S. The interviews take place via phone or skype. Is it appropriate to send a “thank you email” rather than letter?
Thanks!
I’m a young lawyer, and while our office does not require us to wear suits every day, I want to get into the habit of doing so. How many suits would I need to rotate through a year?
Question. Can you give an recommendations for plus-size readers like myself? I LOVE your blog and all of the clothes, suggestions, etc., but most of the clothing recommendations don’t come in plus-sizes. Thanks.
Please bring back the 360 Reviews of TV Wardrobes. Those were great! Perhaps someone from The West Wing?
I also e-mailed this question to the editor, but thought your readers may have advice: I am attending a charity ball in mid-April, and “formal attire” is suggested. This is a big event and dress-to-impress is required. I rarely attend formal events and don’t really want to invest in a ball gown I’ll wear once this century. Are there chic evening separates to consider that might be appropriate and chic? I am in my mid-50’s, 5′5″ and a size 16W-18W. (Mid-April here in the midwest is probably still very early spring.) Thanks!
With all of the discussions regarding wearing tights to the office, I would appreciate some pictures on how best to wear tights with skirts in a professional setting. It could just be my body type (tall but with disproportionately short and stumpy legs), but when I wear tights I always wind up thinking I look like a child or the look is just incredibly unflattering on me. Any insight and/or pictures of the “right” way to wear tights to a lawfirm environment would be incredibly helpful! Thanks!
so, I see so many round toe pumps now. are pointy toes not “in” anymore? I love a good pointy toe shoe with pants, but don’t want to be a fashion don’t!!!
any opinions on this?
What’s your opinion on skinny dress pants? Theory has some really nice ones in good fabrics, but I wonder if they might still look too casual in the law firm setting.
Law Student seeking advice:How should I dress for an informational interview? I sent my resume to someone who replied that they aren’t hiring right now, but would be happy to talk to me about the industry. Do I wear a suit? Button-down and pants, but no jacket?
I need help with shoes, DESPERATELY!! My heels are uncomfortable and wear out quickly and I can’t find work-appropriate flats. I need both!!! I know there has to be a great place to buy good shoes that I’m missing out on and I NEED TO KNOW where to go!! Please help.
https://www.scarpasa.com/
This is a business a friend of mine founded to sell fashionable low heels and flats that are comfortable.
It might be of interest to your readers. You should check it out.
I am a second year law student and was recently elected to an executive position on my journal. It’s a specialized journal and already has facilitated significant networking in a relatively small legal community. I have the business cards required by my school. They have the school logo and my information. But I considered getting custom business cards with my picture on them since some people remember a face better than just a name. Would this be considered over the top?
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