Summer Associate Cheap Wardrobe Forum

[Anonymous User]

You just described a slob -- something I expressly said *not* to look like. What you describe is quite different from someone who is put together but who, apparently in your firm, would become an outcast because, "OMG did you see he is not wearing 100% wool navy pants, but rather a tech fabric!?"

You completely missed the point here pal. I'm pretty sure I didn't say outcast, but check me on that.

Anyway, I described a slob to prove your point that you're not going to get fired or no offered for what you wear as a summer. On that we both agree. I think we also both agree that you shouldn't be judged for what you wear. I honestly don't care if you're in a t-shirt as long as you do good work.

But some people do care, for better or for worse. So what we disagree on is whether wearing comfortable tech pants instead of wool ones is worth the risk of one of those so-called "assholes" making a snap judgment about you. By all means, there may be some firms where those "assholes" don't exist. And you make a good point that maybe you shouldn't care about them if they do. All I'm asking is whether it's worth the potential of ticking off a future colleague (or just standing out) so you can wear tech pants instead of wool for 12 freaking weeks. I'd say wait until you've settled in and know your surroundings before deciding to buck the trend.

[Wubbles]

Holy cow, what firm does this bozo work at so I can avoid it?

My firm is casual and jeans-approved everyday. Chinos and lulu pants are fairly common. At my previous more formal firm, chinos were the move (before lulu pants became popular). I'd dress nice for the first day, if you see casual pants go for that from then on out.

[Anonymous User]

Holy cow, what firm does this bozo work at so I can avoid it?

My firm is casual and jeans-approved everyday. Chinos and lulu pants are fairly common. At my previous more formal firm, chinos were the move (before lulu pants became popular). I'd dress nice for the first day, if you see casual pants go for that from then on out.

Glad you're at a casual firm - enjoy! But your little anecdote is irrelevant to OP unless they too are at a casual firm. Anyway, OP, take everything on here with a grain of salt. If you are going to a casual firm, don't care what others think about you (totally fine), or think I'm a bozo like Wubbles does, don't take my advice. If you're risk averse like I am, just wear the wool pants for 12 weeks. They look nice and really aren't that bad.

[Anonymous User]

Why do you have to wear wool pants in the summer though? Aren’t decent chinos appropriate?

[Anonymous User]

Why do you have to wear wool pants in the summer though? Aren’t decent chinos appropriate?

Because wool pants are more formal, and chinos are less formal? Maybe other firms are different than mine (and OP should confirm), but even during the summer the vast majority of men in my office do not wear chinos.

Historically, wool has not been relegated to the cooler seasons. When we think of wool we think of heavy weight wool sweaters or wool-flannel pants. But there are plenty of lighter weight wool fabrics (and some with linen blends) that are designed for the summer. Those fabrics are breathable, wick away moisture, and don't wrinkle easily even in humid weather. Wool is basically the original tech fabric - that's why most suits are made from it. Even if given the chance to wear chinos, I'd probably still wear wool pants. I can get more wears out of them without bringing out the ironing board, they stay pressed, and I even find them more comfortable. Plus, wool drapes better, making the fit a bit less important. The only caveat is it doesn't stretch as nicely as some of these newer tech fabrics, so you'll need them to be a bit roomier (which, TBH, is better for the work environment).

Cotton, on the other hand, tends to hold in moisture, making uncomfortable in humid weather. It also wrinkles easily. That's why all these new tech fabrics add chemical treatments and synthetic fibers just to get it to perform like wool.

[Anonymous User]

This is a top tier TLS thread. Lots of helpful advice, and an ON TOPIC flame war. We love to see it.

Anyone want to chime in about KIRKLAND’s dress code and why it is the worst/best/TTT?

[Anonymous User]

Wool pants are plenty cool, they are pretty thin and breathable. Unless you live in like a a southern swamp which is why seersucker ever become a thing. (Do not wear seersucker, that's just a historical example. I repeat, do not wear seersucker.)

Anyway this thread is weird. Why ask advice what to wear if you then reject any advice that doesn't fit your priors? Why pick fights with people just trying to help?

Bottom line, no one can really tell you what to do. Show up the first week a little more formal then get a sense of the vibe.

[kraudeira]

Why do you have to wear wool pants in the summer though? Aren’t decent chinos appropriate?

Because wool pants are more formal, and chinos are less formal? Maybe other firms are different than mine (and OP should confirm), but even during the summer the vast majority of men in my office do not wear chinos.

Historically, wool has not been relegated to the cooler seasons. When we think of wool we think of heavy weight wool sweaters or wool-flannel pants. But there are plenty of lighter weight wool fabrics (and some with linen blends) that are designed for the summer. Those fabrics are breathable, wick away moisture, and don't wrinkle easily even in humid weather. Wool is basically the original tech fabric - that's why most suits are made from it. Even if given the chance to wear chinos, I'd probably still wear wool pants. I can get more wears out of them without bringing out the ironing board, they stay pressed, and I even find them more comfortable. Plus, wool drapes better, making the fit a bit less important. The only caveat is it doesn't stretch as nicely as some of these newer tech fabrics, so you'll need them to be a bit roomier (which, TBH, is better for the work environment).

Cotton, on the other hand, tends to hold in moisture, making uncomfortable in humid weather. It also wrinkles easily. That's why all these new tech fabrics add chemical treatments and synthetic fibers just to get it to perform like wool.

OK, any wool pants recommendations?

[Anonymous User]

Wool pants are plenty cool, they are pretty thin and breathable. Unless you live in like a a southern swamp which is why seersucker ever become a thing. (Do not wear seersucker, that's just a historical example. I repeat, do not wear seersucker.)

Anyway this thread is weird. Why ask advice what to wear if you then reject any advice that doesn't fit your priors? Why pick fights with people just trying to help?

Bottom line, no one can really tell you what to do. Show up the first week a little more formal then get a sense of the vibe.

You are right. I was just frustrated by basically being called a moron for thinking the pants might be appropriate. but conservative seems to be the way to go!

[Anonymous User]

(Anon who asked about wool v chinos here - I’m not the OP and was just curious about the difference. For me the issue with wool is dry cleaning and itchiness, though I agree overall about the difference in fabrics. I also agree overall that the OP should just wait and see what their particular office culture is because that kind of thing varies so much.)

[Anonymous User]

(Anon who asked about wool v chinos here - I’m not the OP and was just curious about the difference. For me the issue with wool is dry cleaning and itchiness, though I agree overall about the difference in fabrics. I also agree overall that the OP should just wait and see what their particular office culture is because that kind of thing varies so much.)

Never had a problem with itchy pants, but maybe I'm more used to it / depends on the individual. I do have a thing against synthetic materials, which are really so much better these days but I still prefer cotton over polyester whenever possible. Anyway to your question -- maybe look for pants with lining past the knee, or a more traditional (less skinny) fit? More lining = less breathiness, so there's a tradeoff.

Dry cleaning does add up. You can rotate your pants and air them out (don't be sending to the cleaners after one wear!) to reduce the need, but they will need to be sent to the cleaners. I have a cleaners that does a weekly pickup and delivery, and I end up sometimes sending stuff that doesn't actually need it to them for the convenience and extra pressed look (eg non iron shirts, khakis even).

[Anonymous User]

(Anon who asked about wool v chinos here - I’m not the OP and was just curious about the difference. For me the issue with wool is dry cleaning and itchiness, though I agree overall about the difference in fabrics. I also agree overall that the OP should just wait and see what their particular office culture is because that kind of thing varies so much.)

One thought - OP is trying to save money, so it may be hard to find the right sale on short notice after going into the office. Might be worth reaching out to an associate at the firm. You could even try to set up coffee and an office tour as a covert way to observe how people dress (though things are admittedly different now for many firms while they transition back to the office). Alternatively, if OP has a high enough credit limit, OP could buy more and less formal wardrobes in the month or two before the summer starts and then return one after the first week. Just make sure you time the return window right.

[Anonymous User]

I reject wool because it’s overly formal and, more importantly, it’s likely you’ll put on pounds once you start working full-time and need the stretch of lulu or bonobos.

[Anonymous User]

I am a partner at a big firm. I wore wool pants and a dress shirt M-Th before the pandemic (and jeans and a button-down on Friday) and will probably switch to jeans and a button-down as my default attire once I start going back into the office. I would not look askance at any lawyer--even a first year associate--who wanted to wear chinos, jeans, or Lululemon technical pants to work, unless he or she was going to court or a client meeting or something like that. But as a summer associate, you are still interviewing for a job and you should look the part. That doesn't mean wearing a suit everyday (unless you are at a firm that is business formal) but it does mean not wearing Lululemon to work.

[Anonymous User]

OP here

Would you acknowledge a degree of difference between the exposed graphic t-shirt and a pair of chinos made of tech fabric? (I think that is a fair description of the lulu pants, link: https://shop.lululemon.com/p/men-pants/ ... olor=31382)

I'm not looking to make waves, just hoping to be comfortable and wondering if these are appropriate!

Those do not look appropriate to me as dress pants. I'm not sure why you'd think they are. They're not even advertised as such, the model is wearing a t shirt and hiking (?) boots. Doesn't mean you can't get away with it, but if you're asking if it's business casual, no it's not.

Personally I think they might be fine as business casual, though it's hard to say for sure without seeing them in person. I think the bigger problem is they are 128 freaking dollars, so they are I hope no one's definition of cheap pants.

[LBJ's Hair]

look ... I generally love Lululemon. I am wearing the ABC joggers right now, WFH.

I'm sorry, the tech pant slack things look like shit. put on a pair of decent dark jeans or slacks and you'll look a million times better.