By Sabrina Di Giambattista
While it is true that job interviews and other encounters are meant to assess your work skills and not your ability to accessorize, clothes speak volumes about who you are and often make an impression long before you even get the chance to speak. As such, in order to convey the fact that you are indeed a competent and hard working law student who will undoubtedly be an asset to the firm, you must dress the part.
1: Cleanliness and Neatness.
A sloppy appearance conveys disorganization and suggests sloppy work. Hair and nails should be clean and neatly groomed. This is not the place for showy hair-do’s or glitter nail polish – hair and make-up should be understated and professional. Facial hair should be shaved or neatly trimmed. Shoes and briefcases should be clean and shined. Suits and shirts should be clean, pressed and pill-free. Make sure suits and shirts are well-fitted and pants are properly hemmed.
2: The Suit.
The suit makes the man (or woman) and a power suit will do just that – convey power and competence. A classic, well cut suit in a fabric that can be worn year-round is an essential investment. His. A classic 3 button wool suit is timeless and all purpose. While black is a fool-proof color, dark grey, pinstripe and navy blue are equally good choices. Lightly pleated pants are classic but the latest trend leans more toward flat-front trousers.
Hers.
A men’s cut trouser or a knee-length pencil skirt are smart options. Women can allow themselves to be a little more daring; tweed (in winter), brown, camel and burgundy can be worn as alternatives to traditional black, grey and navy.
3: The Shirt (and Tie)
The white shirt is an old stand-by; however, adding a little bit of color conveys confidence and personality. His. Choose a shirt in a color that compliments your suit (think pale yellow or blue with a navy suit or light pink with a grey suit) – muted palettes and pale colors work well – steer clear of overly vibrant colors which tend to be aggressive. Subtle patterns such as light pinstripes, subtle checks or windowpane prints add a modern twist to the classic white shirt but must be chosen with care – steer clear of busy patterns in loud colors. A few good rules of thumb when choosing a patterned shirt: steer clear of flowers, choose a solid tie a few shades darker than the pattern, light grey/pastel stripes or checks work best, and never wear a patterned shirt with a pinstripe suit. Finally, when buying a shirt make sure that it is indeed a “suit shirt” that can be worn with a tie and not a sport shirt.
A tie should match your shirt and compliment your suit. The monochromatic look – a solid tie a shade or two darker than your shirt – remains an easy option. Simple patterns like large diagonal stripes in a few colors that match and compliment your shirt are an equally good choice. Always bring the shirt you intend to match the tie with along when selecting ties and err on the side “less is more” when choosing a pattern. Generally, the proper width for a tie is around 3 ¼ inches and anything in that range will never really go out of style.
Hers.
Women are not bound to wear a shirt under their suit jacket. Turtlenecks, fitted tee shirts, cache-corps sweaters or a layered shirt and v-neck are all equally acceptable looks. Solid colors in tones that compliment your suit are recommended and while tops should be fitted, steer clear of anything skin tight or too low-cut. A small scarf knotted at the neck in a color and pattern that compliments your suit and top adds personality.
4: Shoes.
|
Black |
black, tan or camel, oxblood |
|
Grey |
black, oxblood |
|
Navy |
camel, tan, oxblood, brown |
|
Brown |
any shade of brown, camel |
|
Earth tones |
any shade of brown, camel, black |
The most important rule of shoe selection is color combination. Your belt must always match your shoes and your choice of appropriate color must compliment your shirt/tie
Always opt for leather or suede over synthetic materials; they’re more comfortable and durable.
His.
Dressy shoes are generally characterized by a cleaner, more delicate cut, a tapered point and a flatter sole. In other words, chunky rubber-soled shoes are to be avoided. Black leather cap toe lace-up shoes are a staple in any businessman’s wardrobe and wingtips or straight tip blucher shoes are equally good options. Moccasins and elongated pointy-toe ankle boots are trendier takes on the suit shoe.
Hers.
A pointy-toe pump is a timeless staple that can easily be worn with pants and skirts. Steer clear of platforms and keep heel height reasonable – kitten heels are stylish and comfortable. Knee-length stiletto boots paired with a pencil skirt are a smart alternative in winter. Moccasin-style flat soled shoes are fine paired with a pant suit and this season’s round-toe pumps look stylish paired with both skirts and pants.
5: Accessories.
Keep accessories to a minimum – they can be distracting.
A watch is a must but make sure that it is a classic leather or metal band dressy enough for a suit – steer clear of sport or plastic models. Jewelry should also be toned down. For example, a thin chain to highlight a v-neck is fine but steer clear of flashy baubles, distracting earrings, “fashion” jewelry and keep rings to a minimum.
Hers.
Nylon stockings are best worn in black (under a black skirt) or flesh tone (black and any other color). Purses should either match or compliment shoes (brown with camel shoes, grass green with camel and burgundy with black).
