what to wear to an lawyer interview

1. Suited and Booted You must wear a suit to a law firm interview -- period. ...
2. Get It Tailored What matters most in a suit is fit, not the cost. Make sure your suit is tailored -- that means you too, ladies. ...
3. Accessories Make the Man or Woman Get a nice, simple pair of black shoes. Men, please make sure your shoes are not scuffed. ...
4. Grooming You can have the nicest clothes and accessories, but the most important thing you can do is be well groomed. Guys, please comb your hair and shave. ...
5. Test Drive

Full Answer

What do you wear to a law school interview?

The Law School Interview Tie. Your tie should be conservative for a legal interview. Red, Blue, Green or Gold are all popular favorites; stand out from the crowd by choosing a tie with a simple repeating pattern. Striped ties are a good choice, but you should be aware as to whether it is a regimental tie or not.

What should I wear to a job interview?

Or you might opt to wear your gray suit initially, and a pinstripe suit to callbacks. Follow the Steve Jobs method of dressing, and cut down the number of things you need to think about before an interview!

Can you wear a suit to a law firm interview?

No one is going to look too askew at a suit in a law firm interview, even if it’s not entirely necessary. (Tech companies are exceptions to this rule, but most law firms are still relatively conservative places.) If you decide to dress down a bit, don’t take it too far.

What kind of tie should I wear to a legal interview?

Some interviewers view this display of cuff jewelry as obnoxious. Your tie should be conservative for a legal interview. Red, Blue, Green or Gold are all popular favorites; stand out from the crowd by choosing a tie with a simple repeating pattern. Striped ties are a good choice, but you should be aware as to whether it is a regimental tie or not.

What should I wear to a law interview?

Standard attire for law firm interviews is business formal. This is the most strict and conservative work place attire. Your goals should be to look polished and professional -- not unique, cute, memorable or trendy. Your interviewer should remember you for your answers to questions -- not your attire.

What should I bring to an attorney interview?

Always bring copies! You can't assume your interviewer will have them. Bring any personal care items you might need: gum, mints, a toothbrush (if you're coming for a meal), extra hosiery, eyedrops, touch-up makeup, etc. And don't forget directions (including parking locations, if you're driving).

What is the appropriate attire for a lawyer?

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 do you wear to a courthouse interview?

As with business attire, gender-neutral clothes are an appropriate option. Always minimize tattoos and piercings in a business environment. Keep hairstyles and makeup conservative as well. Bring your briefcase to house your resume, pad of paper, working pen, and breath mints.

Can lawyers have long nails?

Wearing strong perfumes, too much makeup, revealing bra straps or tattoos, and long nails should be avoided. For men, having professional looking tie clips and pins may be suitable for their attire. Wearing a professional watch would be acceptable.

Can lawyers wear nail polish?

No bright nail colors. Some lawyers I spoke with expressed tolerance for red nail polish (definitely not purple, blue, or anything edgier), but the fear here is chipping—with brighter colors, any flaws are much more noticeable. Also, keep nails short. “No talons,” says Nina. “It just means you can't type.”

Can lawyers have long hair?

As a general rule, hair length should not extend beyond the lower lobe of the ear or touch the shirt collar. Facial hair should be neat and groomed. Avoid long hair, wild, untamed styles, long beards or excessive facial hair, or hair dyed in an unnatural color such as pink or blue.

Can lawyers wear bright colors?

Ties shouldn't be flashy; most attorneys typically avoid bright colors. For female attorneys working in large firms, pantsuits are typically acceptable. However, standard formal business attire often consists of a lawyer jacket and matching skirt in a neutral or dark color.

What color should a woman wear to court?

What Color Should a Woman Wear to Court? Darker, more serious colors are preferable, and bright colors should be avoided. The best colors to wear to court are “conservative” colors (white, blue, navy, gray, and the like) and to steer clear of crazy patterns and shocking fashion statements.

What should a woman wear to a law interview?

Formal instead of casual is therefore the way to go! Anyone can rock a full suit, but those who wish can also choose to wear a skirt instead. Think 'professional' when you are picking out your outfit and you'll get there. Sometimes you will be asked to wear smart casual dress.

What should I wear to an interview if I don't have dress clothes?

Fortunately, because many summer jobs tend to be more "business casual" than especially dressy, most likely, you won't have to dress in a dark wool suit or heavy blazer. Both men and women can consider wearing tailored khakis, a nice polo shirt or button-down, and a pair of sensible shoes—but no flip-flops!

What should I bring for interview?

What to bring to an interview.Copies of your resume.Copies of your cover letter.Copies of your professional portfolio or clips if the job requires them.Bottle of water.Notebook and pen to take notes.

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).

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 color tie should I wear for a legal interview?

Your tie should be conservative for a legal interview. Red, Blue, Green or Gold are all popular favorites; stand out from the crowd by choosing a tie with a simple repeating pattern.

Do I need socks for law school?

Yes, you need a pair only for law school interviews – label them and never wear them except for interviews. (Just Kidding!) Your socks should match your slacks or shoes and be preferably dark in color.

What is acceptable clothing for men?

Acceptable clothing for men includes casual slacks, khakis, short or long-sleeved dress shirts, crew and V-necked sweaters with a collared shirt, and cardigans. Acceptable shoes include thin- to medium-sole leather shoes, lace-up loafers, dock shoes, or Rockport style.

What are acceptable pants?

Acceptable pants include khakis, linen blends, silk, twills or corduroy, and Capri pants that end close to the ankle. Acceptable shoes include thin- to medium-sole leather shoes, loafers, pumps or any updated style with a low or stacked heel, open-toed or dress sandals.

What is considered unacceptable clothing for women?

Unacceptable clothing for women includes tight, sheer, and low-cut clothing of any style; sweatshirts; T-shirts; denim of any type or color; spaghetti straps; open backs; midriff; tank tops; halter tops; stretch pants; stirrup pants; jogging or warm-up suits; casual shorts; dress shorts; miniskirts; and Capri pants that end close to the knee.

What do you wear to an interview?

If you’re interviewing for a corporate position in finance or law, for example, wear formal business attire. For men, this means a matching suit and tie. For women, it means a tailored dress, pantsuit or skirt suit. However, for less formal positions and workplaces, business casual is almost always the best option.

What to wear to a business interview?

For your business casual interview, wear black or brown closed-toe flats, pumps or low heels. Make sure your shoes are not scuffed, scratched or dirty, and avoid strapped sandals, flip-flops, sky-high stilettos, sneakers or brightly colored shoes.

What to wear with a blazer?

Always wear a leather belt that closely matches your shoe color. You could add a simple pocket square to a blazer pocket to complete the look.

What shoes should I wear to wear a dress?

Choose dark-colored, freshly-polished leather shoes. You can wear brown or black loafers, lace-up dress shoes, Oxfords or another professional closed-toe shoe that compliments your outfit. Be sure to wear mid-calf length dress socks that match the color of your trousers. Avoid athletic socks.

What color jeans should I wear to work?

Stick to neutral colors like grey, black, brown and navy blue, since these match many shirt colors. In some workplaces, it may be acceptable to wear dark-colored jeans. If you’re not sure if jeans are appropriate in this office, wear chinos or dress pants instead.

What to wear with long sleeves?

Collared shirts with long sleeves. Wear a light-colored, pressed button-down shirt with long sleeves and a collar, and make sure it’s neatly tucked into your pants. You can wear a knit tie with a simple pattern or solid color, but this is completely optional.

What to wear with a button down shirt?

If you’re wearing a button-down shirt, you may want to tuck it into your pants or skirt for a polished look. It’s also acceptable to wear khaki or cotton pants, as long as they look professional .