There is a double standard for women when it comes to professional clothing. On the one hand, anything besides a suit* is just too sexual for the office. On the other hand, pant suits aren't conservative enough.
Mixed messages, anyone?
Let me tell you, some bizarre transformation invariably occurs to women lawyers around here. They simply are unable to dress themselves (or brush their hair, which is an entirely different issue). I have seen the most hideous suits on the planet this fall. Pants, skirt, it didn't really matter. They were all horrible and unflattering.
My advice for your interview wear: 1) suits should be lined, 2) suits should be constructed out of non-distorting fabric (that means it doesn't stretch on the bias), 3) houndstooth looks good on very, very few women (mostly on society ladies at the Kentucky Derby), and 4) hawaiian floral print blouses look good with no suits.
Pleats are bad for just so many reasons. And for goodness sake, don't be caught dead wearing one of those suits from Express with the flare pant legs! That should at least be obvious!
*By the way, contrary to what the New York Times would have you believe, some of those "people" who might show up in short or tight skirts are indeed (infrequently) men. Just ask the folks down at Foley!
Right on.
And damn, you're an excellent writer. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Donna on November 8, 2002 09:43 AMThere is no reason in the world for women who are interviewing for associates positions to look like nuns. On the other hand, as much as I like the leather pants look, it is not cool for an interview. There are lawyers in my office who might show up with that look from time to time, but not if there was any chance that they might be going to court. It is less about sexy than it is about respect, I'd say. You should dress for court, or for clients, the way you would for church. Actually, women have it a bit easier these days than men do with respect to office attire, I'd say.
Posted by: Bill Altreuter on November 8, 2002 10:29 AMI really hate this "politically correct" movement. I think people should be able to wear whatever they want as long as it is not disruptive to business or disrespective [I think I just made up this word] to the tribunal. I think common sense should be our guide. I also think that belly-shirts, short-shorts and mini-skirts have very few legitimate uses in our line of work.
Posted by: Larry on November 11, 2002 12:42 PM
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