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female, tattoo on one arm (not crazy nor big but def. easy to notice) and summer job at a vault firm. What do I do during social events?

Show it? or pretend I never want to wear a dress or short sleeves?

Well with lesser firms I would say go and ahead and show it, but since you're going to be at a vault firm, you should keep it covered at all times.

lawbuddha wrote:female, tattoo on one arm (not crazy nor big but def. easy to notice) and summer job at a vault firm. What do I do during social events?

Show it? or pretend I never want to wear a dress or short sleeves?

Do not show. Invest in a lightweight cardigan sweater/shrug that will cover without making you hot. Then you can wear it with any dress or short sleeve shirt. Offices are usually air conditioned so you'll want something warmer. And then you can take it off in your own office or out grabbing lunch (non-firm).

Cover it.

Visible tattoos may not be universally frowned upon, but it only takes one partner to notice and badmouth you for it.

lawbuddha wrote:female, tattoo on one arm (not crazy nor big but def. easy to notice) and summer job at a vault firm. What do I do during social events?

Show it? or pretend I never want to wear a dress or short sleeves?

light cardigans should do the trick

lawbuddha wrote:pretend I never want to wear a dress or short sleeves?

I'm a 0L, but that is my long-standing plan. FWIW, no one has ever questioned my wearing of long sleeves at unusual times. I also have a lot of cardigans and shrugs, which put dresses back on the table for informal events.

Thanks for the advice. Off to shopping after final.

btw, how many suits do one need? I'm planning to stock up 3 jackets, each with matching skirt and pants. That should give me enough combinations to survive a week, I hope.

I would definitely cover it. I came to law school from a very conservative engineering firm, and there were a few people with large tattoos. They were consistently passed over for projects that involved meeting clients at accounting firms, federal agencies, representing us at trade shows, etc. Plus, the bosses would regularly comment on it.

Also, a close female relative of mine has some surgical scarring on her upper arm that she prefers to keep covered. You would be surprised how easy it is to do this without looking overdressed, dressed too warmly/conservatively, or actually being uncomfortable. Look for dressed or blouses with light flutter sleeves. Or, long-sleeved tops and dresses that are backless or have sheer backs or cut-outs. Unless you have a very full bust, you can still look very ladylike in a low neckline and 3/4 or cap sleeves. Then, buy a few very light cardigans in summery colors. Go to Talbot's and get the very lightest weight cashmere cotton blend in colors like french grey, taupe, and white. Wear these over camisoles and trousers for work, and over satin sundresses or cocktail gowns for evening wear. There. Problem solved.

Just wondering....do you now regret getting the tat?

LjakW wrote:Just wondering....do you now regret getting the tat?

Ha, no! It's not a one minute crazy decision. Took me 3 years to think it through and I'm very happy with it. But I'll play it safe before landing a job.

lawbuddha wrote:

LjakW wrote:Just wondering....do you now regret getting the tat?

Ha, no! It's not a one minute crazy decision. Took me 3 years to think it through and I'm very happy with it. But I'll play it safe before landing a job.

I'm a boy, so that makes covering my tattoos much easier. People thing I'm just extra formal--I wear long-sleeve linen shirts when others wear polos, rugby-style shirts when others where t-shirts, etc. I have a full sleeve, plus some other large tattoos. I don't regret them, but I do wish there was more separation between my personal and school/professional lives. I am nervous about wearing a T-shirt to the gym or on my days off, for fear of who I'll run into.

I'd say don't work at places that have problems with something as benign as a tat, but I'm guessing you want to have your cake and eat it, too.

Anonymous User wrote:I'd say don't work at places that have problems with something as benign as a tat, but I'm guessing you want to have your cake and eat it, too.

You mean I should give up on 100% of all legal jobs? Because if you think that firms/clients/corporate GCs/gov't appointees don't have problems with tattoos, you're either incredible naive or deluded.

BaiAilian2013 wrote:

lawbuddha wrote:pretend I never want to wear a dress or short sleeves?

I'm a 0L, but that is my long-standing plan. FWIW, no one has ever questioned my wearing of long sleeves at unusual times. I also have a lot of cardigans and shrugs, which put dresses back on the table for informal events.

Also a 0L, and plan on doing the same thing (which should be a lot easier, since I'm a male). Like the anonymous user said, it shouldn't be too much of a problem to always wear long sleeves, considering I live in NYC, plan on working in government, and don't expect to be socializing too much with my colleagues.

(I also tried to talk about this in another thread earlier: http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... 6&start=50
Some other posters there seem convinced that anything that shows in a t-shirt is no good, since being a lawyer apparently requires wearing polo shirts to golf outings.)

.

Anonymous User wrote:

Anonymous User wrote:I'd say don't work at places that have problems with something as benign as a tat, but I'm guessing you want to have your cake and eat it, too.

You mean I should give up on 100% of all legal jobs? Because if you think that firms/clients/corporate GCs/gov't appointees don't have problems with tattoos, you're either incredible naive or deluded.

False. I have received positive feedback about my tattoos from my legal employers. I would keep them covered at a stuffy firm job, but most other lawyers don't care.

bilbobaggins wrote: I would keep them covered at a stuffy firm job, but most other lawyers don't care.

This implies there is some other kind of legal employer besides stuffy.