When selecting lawyer clothes, most attorneys strive for a polished professional appearance that conveys their high-powered careers. From appearing in court proceedings or meeting clients to meeting partners or making important presentations – impeccably pressed clothing is an absolute necessity for professional legal practice.
Doing your part to provide lawyers, law students and clerks in your life with wardrobe essentials will put them ahead of the pack! With these pieces, they’ll stand out as leaders of their field.
1. Blazer
A blazer is the backbone of any lawyer’s wardrobe. Wear it casually on date night with jeans and a V-neck shirt or to client meetings with chinos and white dress shirt for an indisputable professional appearance. Also pair it with skirt suits, business casual trousers and dress shoes to complete your office ensembles or add it as part of an office look with skirt suit or business casual trousers and dress shoes; or opt for wool for something dressier compared with cotton or linen materials.
In many parts of the world, lawyers are required to wear traditional court attire when appearing before a judge or jury. South Korean prosecutors wear black robes when arguing cases in front of judges or juries while barristers in England wear long black gowns with traditional white wigs and old-style white caps for appearances before them. Even where this requirement doesn’t exist, dressing conservatively when representing clients may still be wise.
Female lawyers usually wear suits when appearing in court; on days when meeting clients or conducting other business at the courthouse, however, skirt suits or pantsuits may be preferred instead. Both of these suits typically consist of a jacket paired with pants featuring pencil-skirt cuts–often referred to by fashion bloggers as a “pucker skirt.”
Lawyers typically opt for neutral color palettes when it comes to suits and shirts – plaid suits or plaid shirts would look too flashy – however women can add some flare by pairing their suits with button-up dress shirts in dark colors such as navy blue or black for more subtle ensembles.
2. Suit
No matter where your legal business takes you, looking the part is of paramount importance. While some lawyers may get by with jeans and tees for court or client meetings, most lawyers adhere to a dress code often called professional dress or business attire that requires tailored sharp-looking clothing like suits with ties for men and skirt suits or pantsuits for women.
Though you could buy suits at your local mall, online retailers usually provide better value and selection. With filtering tools to make finding exactly what you’re searching for easier, online retailers are an excellent way to purchase suits quickly and at great value.
Suitsupply, Nordstrom Rack and Banana Republic are great online destinations to shop for suits at reduced costs compared to department store prices. Furthermore, each offers seasonal sales to make finding a deal even simpler!
As a new lawyer, it’s essential to have dark-colored suits as a part of your wardrobe. Navy blue or grey suits can be customized with various accessories to achieve different looks; alternatively, black suits can serve as versatile tuxedo options with bow tie and cummerbund additions.
Large law firms tend to impose strict dress codes; small firms and solo practitioners tend to be more relaxed about what their dress codes entail. When attending court hearings, female and male lawyers alike should wear classic pencil skirt suits or pantsuits in neutral or dark colors for optimal appearances; tight fit/crop top blouses should also be avoided for added modesty.
3. Trousers
Lawyers in many countries must wear specific attire when attending court or meeting clients, which typically involves female lawyers wearing business suits and male lawyers in black robes in some instances. Traditionally, this meant women wore trousers with shirt or blouse and men in suits; but the rules have since relaxed so trousers may now be styled more casually with casual pieces like T-shirts, sweaters or light jackets for maximum impact with potential clients.
Black trousers that fit well and appear tailored are an ideal pairing with a fitted sheath dress, particularly one in neutral colors with a high neckline and knee-length hemline. A pair of classic flat shoes in black will complete this ensemble.
Cropped trousers offer another versatile choice when accessorized with a sweater or tee and stylish running shoes, and make an excellent way to run errands between meetings or for casual brunch dates with clients.
Female lawyers need more than the essential wardrobe components such as suits, blazers and pencil skirts in their collection for court. Aside from suit essentials such as suits, blazers and pencil skirts, female lawyers should invest in at least two pairs of trousers in various colors and styles – tailored made trousers would ensure that your clothes remain crisp and professional at all times. It would also be wise to purchase at least one light or mid blue blazer as well as several length pencil skirts; accessorize with jewelry, handbags or scarves to add your personal flair into their look.
4. Shoes
Lawyer shoes are one of the first things people notice about an outfit and one of the first impressions made. Selecting simple, sleek and elegant dress shoes for professional attire is essential; black shoes go perfectly with any suit jacket while smooth-finish lace-up leather boots make an impressionful statement.
Female attorneys need pencil skirts in a neutral color such as black or navy to complete their wardrobe. Pencil skirts are flattering on women and easy to accessorize by adding blouses or button-down shirts; an essential staple in every lawyer’s closet would be one with classic style made of breathable material that provides all day comfort.
Every female lawyer needs a pair of tailored trousers in her closet – either black, navy or gray will do. In addition, comfortable heels should also be essential as these will create polished office looks which will impress clients and colleagues.
If you are shopping for a lawyer as a gift, why not give them this stylish docking station as the perfect present? Made by hand with care in a chic material such as wood or plastic, this hand-crafted beauty will keep their keys, wallet and other essential accessories organized in style – plus it makes them feel just as smart! Personalized engraving can add even more personalization – it will truly make them feel smart!
5. Accessories
Opting for accessories that complement their professional attire is key for lawyers. Men should opt for classic cufflinks and watches while women may add discrete scarves or necklaces that complete their look. Avoid brightly colored or patterned jewelry as this could send the wrong signal about their profession. Ideally, tailor made pieces should be purchased specifically to fit in seamlessly into an outfit a lawyer wears – this ensures a perfect fit with seamless results.
Lawyers should wear shoes made of dark leather that complement their suit. Loafers may be acceptable under some circumstances; sneakers or flip-flops must always be avoided. Sock selection should also match that color; men should sport either a neatly trimmed beard or clean-shaven face for better professional presentation while female lawyers should use minimal makeup and keep their hair tidy combed back neatly for a professional appearance.
Women’s blouses can make for an eye-catching alternative to formal dress shirts, provided that they still feature crisp white coloring and an authoritative cut. Bold colors or patterns that detract from professional appearance should be avoided as this will undermine a lawyer’s image.
Modern female lawyers can make a strong first impression with clients and colleagues by adhering to stringent professional dress codes and accessorizing carefully, as outlined above. Female lawyers can create polished looks that exude confidence and credibility with these steps; for more expert guidance on dressing like a successful lawyer contact Global Image Group now for image consulting and virtual styling services that will help achieve the perfect look for every event!