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Re: Women's suits
Posted: Fri Jul 20, 2012 8:33 am
by keg411
Get it once you have a SA. Not for OCI. You don't need something that trendy for OCI; stick to normal, old-fashioned, conservative suits.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:12 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:to keep it going with the hair questions:
how long is too long? my hair is a few inches below my chest/a few inches above my elbow. too long?
also interested in this! anyone have opinions on women's hair length for oci?
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:18 pm
by Ozymandias
That question is almost completely unanswerable. It depends on what your hair looks like, how you wear it, whether you plan on putting it up, tons of things. If it's so long to the point of it being distracting, that's a problem. Other than that, no one can say without seeing what it looks like, so ask your OCS or something. If you're super worried, wear it up or get it cut.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2012 3:26 pm
by Anonymous User
Ozymandias wrote:That question is almost completely unanswerable. It depends on what your hair looks like, how you wear it, whether you plan on putting it up, tons of things. If it's so long to the point of it being distracting, that's a problem. Other than that, no one can say without seeing what it looks like, so ask your OCS or something. If you're super worried, wear it up or get it cut.
i understand that most appearance stuff is obviously a case by case basis. just wanted to know if there is a general rule of thumb about hair length to keep in mind.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:07 pm
by alicrimson
Anonymous User wrote:Ozymandias wrote:That question is almost completely unanswerable. It depends on what your hair looks like, how you wear it, whether you plan on putting it up, tons of things. If it's so long to the point of it being distracting, that's a problem. Other than that, no one can say without seeing what it looks like, so ask your OCS or something. If you're super worried, wear it up or get it cut.
i understand that most appearance stuff is obviously a case by case basis. just wanted to know if there is a general rule of thumb about hair length to keep in mind.
I don't know if this is a general rule or just what I've been told. I've heard that if its shoulder length or longer, pull it up.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:21 pm
by Xifeng
So I'm just going to post what our OCS office emailed us, I found it REALLY helpful. In case anyone cares/wants the OCS opinion:
Rule of thumb: Wear to legal interviews what you would wear to a client meeting or to court.
Attorneys are hired for their judgment, and what you wear to an interview can show potential employers how you execute judgment in at least one arena. Interviews are not an opportunity to make a fashion statement—the goal of your dress is for no one to remember what you were wearing because they are so impressed by your intellect, articulateness, and poise. There is no need to wear an interview uniform of white shirt and black suit, but there are a few guidelines to follow:
a. Suit: Plan to have one or two tailored suits for the interview season, preferably in a dark, neutral color (black, charcoal gray or navy).
i. Women can wear pant suits or skirt suits (skirts should come to the knee, and if you choose to wear a skirt, you should wear nylons either in a skin tone or neutral color). If you choose to wear a skirt, practice sitting down to make sure that it does not rise up in an uncomfortable manner (for you or your interviewer). It is perfectly appropriate for women to wear a suit that consists of a matching dress and blazer.
ii. Men’s and women’s suits can be either a solid color or have a subtle pattern (a light pinstripe or windowpane are common).
iii. Remember that the bulk of interviewing will happen during warm months, so save the heavy wool suits for another time.
iv. Get a second opinion. Consider shopping at a specialty or department store where salespeople can help with fit and tailoring, or shopping with a workplace fashion-savvy friend or family member. Suits are an investment for the long-term. Buy within your budget, and make sure the fabric and fit are worth the expense.
v. Suits rarely fit perfectly off the rack, so make sure to find and purchase your suits with enough time for tailoring (shortening hems, tailoring shoulder width, etc.). Tailoring may take 1-2 weeks.
vi. Many students prefer to have at least two suits so that they can have a backup (in case of spills or stains) and so they can have each suit dry cleaned at least once during OCI (for those of you who haven’t experienced August in Chicago, it can be beautiful, but incredibly hot, humid and sweaty).
b.Shirts/Tops: Men should have ironed button down shirts, either solid (white, light blue or French blue are most common) or a subtle pattern (stripes or checks). Ties can be solid or patterned, but should not stand out (no comic book characters or neon colors). Women can wear button down shirts, sweaters, shells or blouses under suit jackets as long as no cleavage is revealed.
c. Shoes: For men, shoes should be polished and a dark neutral color, worn with socks that are the same color as your pants. For women, heels are not required as long as the shoes are appropriately professional. Shoes should not be open-toed (some attorneys are very annoyed by open-toed shoes, even if they may be fashionable) nor should heels be higher than 3 inches (no stiletto heels, please).
d.Grooming: Men should have haircuts within 1-2 weeks of your interviews. Any facial hair should be trimmed and neat. If you have no facial hair, you need to shave each morning on days that you have interviews. Nails should be trimmed and clean.
Women with longer hair can wear their hair up or down in a professional manner (severe buns are not required, but butterfly clips are not appropriate). If you tend to fidget with your hair, consider wearing your hair up so this does not become a distraction in interviews. Women may choose to wear make-up in muted colors. If you choose to wear nail polish, make sure the color is neutral and not chipped.
e.Jewelry and accessories: Wedding and/or engagement rings are completely appropriate to wear during interviews. Generally, men should not wear jewelry other than a wedding or class ring. Women may choose to wear small earrings and a necklace. Avoid any jewelry that can be a noise distraction (a jangly bracelet, for instance) or will cause you to fidget. Any tattoos should be covered by clothing. We recommend that all candidates wear a watch so that they can be on time for each interview. Note: If you use your cell phone as a watch, be sure to turn it off completely and put it away before entering any interview.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:50 pm
by sheD
Thank you!
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 8:52 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:
Also, my main problems when suit-shopping are 1) I have really broad shoulders, and a lot of women's suits have REALLY BIG shoulder pads, so I look a bit like a linebacker and 2) I'm skinny, but I have really long arms--so anything that fits my torso is too short in the arms, and anything that fits my arms I'm swimming in the fabric. Any tips?
Hey, I'm this anonymous poster from the first page. Just wanted to say thanks for everyone who offered tips--I really appreciate it! In case anyone with a similar hard-to-fit body type is lurking, I went to J.Crew and found a suit that fit PERFECTLY. It's totally true that their suits are built for tall people! Warning though: their sizes run big (vanity sizing blah) so maybe talk to a salesperson when you get there, don't try to buy online or anything.
Also thanks Xifeng for that list!
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:15 pm
by petite chouette
Anonymous User wrote:to keep it going with the hair questions:
how long is too long? my hair is a few inches below my chest/a few inches above my elbow. too long?
+1...
I have always wanted to ask these two things and it would be sweet to finally learn the truth:
My hair is pretty much this exact haircut and color,
People always tell me to dye it brown because it makes me look ditzy, so I was wondering if that is actually "a thing" IRL. Also, do the bangs look unprofessional? I've had them for about 8 years and would feel very strange without them but always wonder if they are too "edgy" or young looking for legal hiring
ETA: I wouldn't dye my hair just because haters gonna hate, but that would definitely affect whether I wore it in a bun as opposed to down etc
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 9:33 pm
by jess
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Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:40 pm
by soupisgood
Do I have to wear a suit jacket to a screener? Or would a nice, short-sleeved (not sleeveless) white silk blouse and pencil skirt be considered appropriate?
If I do need a jacket, can I take it off when I enter the room (assuming that the rest of the outfit is the same)? Or is anything that shows bare arms just an absolute no-go?
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 10:59 pm
by Ozymandias
soupisgood wrote:Do I have to wear a suit jacket to a screener? Or would a nice, short-sleeved (not sleeveless) white silk blouse and pencil skirt be considered appropriate?
If I do need a jacket, can I take it off when I enter the room (assuming that the rest of the outfit is the same)? Or is anything that shows bare arms just an absolute no-go?
Wear a full suit and leave the jacket on at
every screener. Anything else is not professional enough.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:12 am
by Anonymous User
3/4 sleeve black suit. too casual?
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:22 am
by petite chouette
Jessuf wrote:
Too long to wear down. I had hair like that, and it looked unprofessional for interviews, in my opinion. I LOVED it, but I kept having to do a bun, which was annoying. I just chopped off so many inches, so it's more appropriate now.
Edit: My hair was probably longer than Reese's in that photo but hard to tell because the photo is cropped. Bangs are dangerous if you ever touch them or they get in your eyes. I had someone complain once about that, so I wore my bangs pinned back the next time.
For my interview tomorrow, I am thinking of doing half-up, half-down now that my hair is a bit shorter.
Good point about pinning back bangs- I never mess with them because of the fear of forehead greasiness but might as well pin them back. Do you think one of those braided chignon things (eg, impressive pictures people put of their hair on Pinterest) is an appropriate alternative to a bun? how about low ponytail/French braid? so many questions!
And congrats on having an interview, good luck!
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:31 am
by Anonymous User
What are everyone's thoughts on engagement rings? Some have told me not to wear mine, others have said it doesn't matter, others have said it might make me seem more mature/serious. If it matters, I'm interviewing in Boston/NY, and my ring is not ostentatious or flashy in any way, it's a solitaire in white gold.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:37 am
by formerbiglawpartner
As for the engagement ring, I think it depends where your fiancee is currently working. If he is already in one of your target markets and is your tie there, that could be a plus. Otherwise, having a fiancee who would have to move could be a negative if the subject comes up in an interview. Frankly, your marital status should be of no concern to them, so I might be inclined to drop the ring to avoid any inquiries.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:53 am
by firm administrator
Sorry for jumping into this conversation and I apologize if unwanted. As a male who interviews and assists in hiring new associates I thought I would add these words of advice. I interviewed approximately 7 female associates this past spring and summer. Most, if not all, were dressed in dark navy or gray suits with skirts. I am not very observant when it comes to this type of thing. I would notice and remember (probably not in a good way) somebody who dressed in pink, yellow, etc. I have never looked at ring finger for any indication. Hair should be short enough to not attract attention. However, I actually had one woman who cut her hair to a "butch" (she volunteered without being asked that it was not for medical reasons, she just felt like a change). , that was not a good look. For the most part, dress conservatively and relax. Interviewers are really focusing on your personality and abilities. Don't be shy about asking questions about the firm. Don't get into how many hours worked, salaries, benefits, etc. The interviewers will bring this up if relevant. Too early. But do inquire about initial practice areas, environment, growth areas, etc. Relax and good luck.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:44 pm
by glitter178
petite chouette wrote:Jessuf wrote:
Too long to wear down. I had hair like that, and it looked unprofessional for interviews, in my opinion. I LOVED it, but I kept having to do a bun, which was annoying. I just chopped off so many inches, so it's more appropriate now.
Edit: My hair was probably longer than Reese's in that photo but hard to tell because the photo is cropped. Bangs are dangerous if you ever touch them or they get in your eyes. I had someone complain once about that, so I wore my bangs pinned back the next time.
For my interview tomorrow, I am thinking of doing half-up, half-down now that my hair is a bit shorter.
Good point about pinning back bangs- I never mess with them because of the fear of forehead greasiness but might as well pin them back. Do you think one of those braided chignon things (eg, impressive pictures people put of their hair on Pinterest) is an appropriate alternative to a bun? how about low ponytail/French braid? so many questions!
And congrats on having an interview, good luck!
i recently went to a women's reception at kirkland and ellis and they said (this is for west coast) no one gives a shit if you wear your hair down. way more important: being conservative in your choice of top/ blouse. showing cleavage is the biggest no-no.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 4:50 pm
by banjooooo
What do you guys think about patent leather shoes for an interview? My matte black shoes are too high for an interview, so I'm trying to decide if I should get new ones or if patent would be fine.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 5:55 pm
by Anonymous User
Ozymandias wrote:soupisgood wrote:Do I have to wear a suit jacket to a screener? Or would a nice, short-sleeved (not sleeveless) white silk blouse and pencil skirt be considered appropriate?
If I do need a jacket, can I take it off when I enter the room (assuming that the rest of the outfit is the same)? Or is anything that shows bare arms just an absolute no-go?
Wear a full suit and leave the jacket on at
every screener. Anything else is not professional enough.
Keep the button on or off the jacket after sitting down?
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 8:06 pm
by Ozymandias
Anonymous User wrote:Ozymandias wrote:soupisgood wrote:Do I have to wear a suit jacket to a screener? Or would a nice, short-sleeved (not sleeveless) white silk blouse and pencil skirt be considered appropriate?
If I do need a jacket, can I take it off when I enter the room (assuming that the rest of the outfit is the same)? Or is anything that shows bare arms just an absolute no-go?
Wear a full suit and leave the jacket on at
every screener. Anything else is not professional enough.
Keep the button on or off the jacket after sitting down?
http://top-law-schools.com/forums/viewt ... 5#p5701406
I don't think it matters for girls.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:31 pm
by LHC
Here's a question nobody has asked yet. I am married and four months pregnant. I plan to wear a suit to the screener interviews because even though I'll already be in maternity sizes a suit will at least minimize the pregnancy. I anticipate by the time call backs come that a suit will look awkward. In a situation where a person is clearly pregnant, would a dress with a blazer be fine?
For example:
http://www.apeainthepod.com/Product.asp ... ry_Id=MC19
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:37 pm
by Xifeng
I think the dress has to match your blazer, but our OCS says that suit dress + blazer is fine in general.
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2012 11:58 pm
by alicrimson
banjooooo wrote:What do you guys think about patent leather shoes for an interview? My matte black shoes are too high for an interview, so I'm trying to decide if I should get new ones or if patent would be fine.
I'm also interested in this. Particularly, if the rest of the outfit is very conservative and the heel is low. Something like this? Or is this too much?
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/joan-david- ... tback=5408
Re: Women's suits
Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2012 12:03 am
by ilovesf
banjooooo wrote:What do you guys think about patent leather shoes for an interview? My matte black shoes are too high for an interview, so I'm trying to decide if I should get new ones or if patent would be fine.
This is only my personal preference so it means nothing, but I find patent to be less professional under a lot of circumstances. I wouldn't wear them to an OCI interview, but that's just me.