what to wear lawyer interview female

You must wear a suit to a law firm interview -- period. For women, black, navy or grey will work, while men should stick to navy or grey. Women should wear a skirt

suit (or sheath dress suit); you need to wait until you have the job to break out the pant suit.

Full Answer

What should you wear to a law firm job interview?

She is a lawyer and founder of The Girl's Guide to Law School. Congratulations! You’ve got a job interview at a law firm. Exciting! On to the really important question – what are you going to wear?!? If you’re interviewing for a BigLaw job in a large law firm, the answer is pretty simple. You wear a suit and a relatively conservative one at that.

What should a woman wear to a job interview?

A pair of classic black slacks is an essential part of a woman's interview wardrobe. It's worth investing in a pair of quality black dress pants that fit well and will hold up after many wears. Once you have a good pair of dress pants, it's easy to dress them up or down.

What should a law student wear to OCI interviews?

For law students doing OCI interviews, it’s handy to have a “suit wardrobe” that you can mix and match for multiple days of interviews. For example, you might have:

Do you have to wear a suit to an interview?

Suits are not mandatory, but for a business professional workplace or context that’s a bit more formal, suits with skirts or pants are always a good choice. In fact, you shouldn’t be afraid to wear a suit in any business professional scenario. Pumps and flats are the safest choices.

What should a woman wear to a law firm interview?

You must wear a suit to a law firm interview -- period. For women, black, navy or grey will work, while men should stick to navy or grey. Women should wear a skirt suit (or sheath dress suit); you need to wait until you have the job to break out the pant suit.

What should I wear as a female lawyer?

Dress Codes for Female Lawyers A tailored suit is a great option for women lawyers, although for women, a black suit is more acceptable in a legal setting than it is for men. A blazer or suit jacket is typically a must in most law firms, whether you wear pants or a skirt.

What females should not wear to an interview?

Fashion faux pas #1: Too casual She says casual interview attire might show your potential boss that you don't take the job seriously enough to dress the part. “Always err on the side of overdressing,” says Melissa Coleman, an executive recruiter. “You can always take off a jacket or tie or accessories.”

What should I wear to a law internship interview?

As a rule of thumb you should usually wear business formal attire. In the event you're interviewing with a public interest organization or even a startup company a full suit may not necessarily be required. However, it's always better to err on the side of caution.

What is the dress code of lawyers?

Lawyers in India have a common dress code with some variations depending upon the court in which they argue. Male advocates are required to wear: A black buttoned up coat, chapkan, achkan, black sherwani and white bands with gown; or. A black open breast coat, white collar stiff or, soft, and white bands with gowns.

Can female lawyers wear pants?

Vests worn with short or long-sleeved shirts are also acceptable, as well as blouses knit tops and collared polo shirts. Acceptable pants include khakis, linen blends, silk, twills or corduroy and Capri pants that end close to the ankle.

What are 6 mistakes that can be made during an interview?

6 Mistakes to Avoid While Conducting an InterviewTaking over. ... Rhetorical questions about the job description. ... Probing too deep into how they spend their personal time. ... Stress interviewing. ... Sparing newbies the difficult questions. ... Falling for the well-presented candidate.

What is the best color to wear for an interview?

Choose Neutrals Over Brights Neutral colors - navy, gray, black, and brown - are the best colors for a job interview. White is also an excellent color for a blouse or button-down shirt. You can certainly add a pop of color to a neutral interview outfit.

How should a lady dress for an interview?

For women, a blouse and dress pants or a statement dress is appropriate. You can also incorporate some modern style trends into your outfit. All interviewees should consider color when selecting an interview outfit and avoid wearing anything too bright or flashy that will distract the hiring manager.

What should I wear to a law firm zoom interview?

If the interviewer is at the office, then I think wearing a blazer or jacket would be safe but a full suit would still seem too formal. I wore a suit for my Zoom interviews. It's always better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially as a lawyer.

What do lawyers wear in the summer?

2) Try Cotton Ties and/or Suits You can go with more traditional colors like olive, navy, grey with that lighter, more summery cottony feel. And a surprising option: seersucker in navy offers a relaxed suit without the traditional look you're might associate with this old-school fabric.

What should I wear to my first day of law clerk?

If this is your new job, then you will have to wear business formal at all times. Yes, I mean a full business suit on a daily basis. For the men, this is a blazer, dress pants, buttoned up shirt, a tie and dress shoes. Whereas, for the women, this means a blazer, under shirt, a pencil skirt or tailored pants and heels.

Interview Outfits for Lawyers: 13 Tips for Nailing It

On my quest to rejoin the workforce, I learned finding interview outfits for lawyers was a great source of stress. I constantly polled my lawyer friends via text chains about whether it was okay to wear these earrings or those heels or that suit.

1. In almost all cases, wear a suit

I’m sorry—I know suits can be terrible! ( Not all, of course.) But even when I knew the attorneys interviewing me at a nonprofit would be in jeans, I showed up in a suit. You want to be a lawyer, so make sure your interview outfit makes you look like the best version of one.

2. Stick with standard gray, black, or navy

Very thin pinstripes are okay, but nothing big and garish. The point is not to be flashy or noticeable, but to look professional and respectable.

4. If wearing a skirt or a dress, watch out for skirt length, and consider hose

Any skirt you wear should be to the knee. Before your interview, check what happens when you sit down in your skirt or dress, and when you cross your legs. Is your skirt riding up? Don’t wear it!

7. Dust off the black pumps

The standard? Nice, plain black pumps that aren’t too high (this isn’t the time for stilettos). Don’t wear open-toed shoes, and get any scuffs polished away. Check to make sure that the shoes don’t slip off your heels or make unflattering noises when you move.

8. Keep your jewelry simple

My law school advisors said that some old-guard attorneys think women should wear pearl necklaces as part of their interview outfit, so I did. However, I don’t think it’s necessary anymore. In general, stick with (no surprise) plain, understated pieces that don’t look cheap or costume-y (for example, the Odile earrings ).

9. Polished totes or professional briefcases only

Don’t bring a normal everyday handbag to an interview. Instead, carry a leather (or leather-looking) tote bag or women’s briefcase. “It must fit your portfolio and printed copies of your résumé inside,” says Kate. Arial thinks designer or generic are equally fine, but logo prints (and brazen logos in general) are gauche.

What do you wear to a big law interview?

Interviewing for a BigLaw Job. If you’re interviewing for a BigLaw job in a large law firm, the answer is pretty simple. You wear a suit and a relatively conservative one at that. For law students doing OCI interviews, it’s handy to have a “suit wardrobe” that you can mix and match for multiple days of interviews.

What to bring to an interview?

One recurring question is what to bring or carry in an interview. The reality is you need to bring copies of your resume, transcript, and writing sample, in case any of the interviewers need them. For men, the best option is a simple portfolio that you can tuck under your arm. (Don’t bring a briefcase. It’s overkill.

Can you wear brown shoes with a dark suit?

At least one suitable pair of shoes for each suit (no, you can’t wear brown shoes with a dark suit). Suitable accessories for each version of your outfit, including some way to carry necessary documents (extra versions of your resume, transcript, and writing sample).

Dress for a Legal Interview: Wear Something Dark

If you have ever done mooting or negotiation competitions, you might have heard this tip before. For legal settings you should dress somewhat on the conservative side.

Dress for a Legal Interview: Wear Something Smart

You can sometimes spot law students walking across campus as they are the only ones that are wearing suits. This might be because they are either going to networking events or taking part in competitions. This should be your go-to outfit for a legal interview.

Dress for a Legal Interview: Wear Something Appropriate

Watch out for those unbuttoned top buttons and tight dress shirts or you will be sending out the wrong signals!

What to wear to a job interview?

Pair a blouse or a button-down top with a V-neck sweater for a versatile look. You can dress the top up with black dress pants or a skirt, or dress it down with khakis or dark-wash jeans if you're interviewing at a start-up or casual company.

What is the best outfit for an interview?

These blazer and blouse combinations are great business interview outfits that consist of three pieces that are simple, yet extremely versatile. A navy blue blazer is a great addition to your interview wardrobe. Not only can you wear a blazer on numerous occasions, but it also works well with many different outfits—over a button-down, ...

What to wear with navy blue blazer?

A navy blue blazer also looks great paired with a simple blouse or button-down shirt. It's a staple combination that you can wear with khaki pants, a khaki skirt, and even dark-wash jeans in a casual workplace or to a casual interview . A matching skirt or slacks, or a khaki skirt or dress pants, round out the outfit.

What to wear with khaki blazer?

A menswear-inspired khaki blazer is an extremely versatile piece to have in your wardrobe. Wear it with a button-down shirt or blouse. It looks great with a matching skirt, dark-wash jeans for a startup casual interview, or navy blue bottoms for a dressier look.

How to make a business look your own?

Add a skinny waist belt for a touch of detail that makes the top pop. A skirt made of an interesting fabric or a simple black pencil skirt is a great way to make a business look your own. Depending on where you're being interviewed, you can add a jacket to dress up the look.

What is a little black dress?

AA tasteful "little black dress" is the hallmark of a simple yet refined business wardrobe. Invest in a quality dress that skims the knee. A dress with a structured fit and nice details (like the capped sleeves here) is professional yet still modern.

What is a navy blue skirt?

Another option for a unique collar detail is a rounded Peter Pan collar. Finally, a navy blue skirt is a stylish alternative to the traditional black pencil skirt. It's a bit more easygoing than the typical black skirt, but it's still professional, creating a look that is relaxed and also refined.

What color should a business suit be?

This attire generally means a suit comprised of a pencil skirt or slacks, a blazer and an under shirt. It’s typically recommended that the suit should be a solid color such as: black, navy or grey. The under shirt should be a solid color as well with the exception of pinstripes perhaps being the most adventurous design.

What does it mean to wear a short skirt in an interview?

As a result, wearing informal slacks or a short skirt may be an indicator that you lack professionalism, which suggests that you may not be a good fit for the job. As a rule of thumb you should usually wear business formal attire.

What is business formal attire?

This typically means a well-tailored suit of a solid color such as: black, navy or grey, which comprises of a blazer, dress pants, a buttoned up shirt and a tie. Also pair this with a black or dark brown leather dress shoes.

Do you have to dress business casual for a judge?

However, if you’re working in a government position, for the District Attorney or clerking for a judge, you may be required to dress business formal each day. If dressing business casual, this makes your transition between classes and work a lot easier.

Should I bring my purse to an interview?

As you get your interview wardrobe together, one thing to keep in mind is that it may be best to not bring along your most expensive accessories. Although some interviewers could care less if you’re bringing a $5000 purse into an interview, I’ve heard some employers discuss that this has rubbed them the wrong way as it gives off the impression that you’re already financially stable and not necessarily in need of the job. Firm culture will certainly play a role in making this decision. Bringing along expensive accessories may not be a huge deal if you’re interviewing for a big firm position. However, if you’re interviewing for a public interest job this could certainly run counter to the interest of the organization and not play well in your favor. So to be safe, it may be best to leave your most showy possessions at home.

Can you wear a camisole under a blazer?

While it is never acceptable to wear a camisole as your sole undergarment beneath your blazer, wearing this camisole under a sheer blouse as opposed to a buttoned up shirt may be an acceptable undergarment at a more liberal firm.

What is business professional attire?

There are four many types of business attire (of course, there are many nuances and subsets as well): Casual, business casual, business professional and business formal.

Business attire tips

Now, need some help styling? Here are our general business attire tips and tricks.

Key takeaways

Business professional attire is a bit less formal than business formal and is often the type of clothing you might wear to an interview.