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Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:29 pm
by megaTTTron
For an SA.
I don't recall seeing any at any of my interviews. I have two. Is it cool if I wear them, or will I look like an idiot? Or does it not matter at all?
Thanks.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:39 pm
by bdubs
megaTTTron wrote:Yes or no?
I don't recall seeing any at any of my interviews. I have two. Is it cool if I wear them, or will I look like an idiot? Or does it not matter at all?
Thanks.
For SA or interview? Three piece suits are really uncommon these days, I am not surprised you didn't see any during your interviews. I work in DC and almost never see them, although I would imagine if it were just a regular day in the office during your SA you would be fine to give it a try.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:41 pm
by Aqualibrium
Don't do it. When it comes to interviewing, if you have to ask yourself "is this too tight/too loud/too flashy/etc..." just don't do whatever it is you're considering.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:42 pm
by megaTTTron
Aqualibrium wrote:When it comes to interviewing, if you have to ask yourself "is this too tight/too loud/too flashy/etc..." just don't do whatever it is you're considering.
Yea, this is no doubt credited, I'd say even for the SA itself. But I'm wondering if adding a vest constitutes "loud/ flashy."
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:45 pm
by bk1
So you're thinking about wearing them fairly often while as an SA?
I think it really depends on what those who decide whether to extend an offer at the end of the summer or not think about it. I can imagine that some might be annoyed by it being too ostentatious and others not really caring, so it is really hard to tell.
I'd say if you don't know what they will think then err on the side of caution as it shouldn't be a big deal to you whether you can wear a vest for 3 months or not.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:46 pm
by bk1
megaTTTron wrote:Yea, this is no doubt credited, I'd say even for the SA itself. But I'm wondering if adding a vest constitutes "loud/ flashy."
It's not loud or flashy, but I think it draws at least some attention towards you for being a tad out of place.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:47 pm
by megaTTTron
bk187 wrote:So you're thinking about wearing them fairly often while as an SA?
I think it really depends on what those who decide whether to extend an offer at the end of the summer or not think about it. I can imagine that some might be annoyed by it being too ostentatious and others not really caring, so it is really hard to tell.
I'd say if you don't know what they will think then err on the side of caution as it shouldn't be a big deal to you whether you can wear a vest for 3 months or not.
The more I think about it, the more I think I just won't. It's not a big deal, I just have 2 and I didn't know if it was cool or not to wear them. Plus, it's going to be hot in the summer.
Thanks for the advice.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:49 pm
by bk1
megaTTTron wrote:The more I think about it, the more I think I just won't. It's not a big deal, I just have 2 and I didn't know if it was cool or not to wear them. Plus, it's going to be hot in the summer.
Thanks for the advice.
Oh yeah, wasn't even thinking about the weather. A suit during the summer is a nightmare for me, I couldn't imagine adding a vest on top of that.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:53 pm
by A&O
Don't do it. It's dumb. The weather is hot. And unless your office is business formal, you'll stick out like a sore thumb just for wearing the suit.
Wear it to court if you want, but it's going to be a hot ride/walk to the court.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:56 pm
by SilverE2
This post:
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=143744
will answer pretty much everything you wanted to know with regards to appropriateness of 3 piece suits. Though I love them, unfortunately the credited response seems to be that as long as you're an associate, no 3 piece suits to the office. Worn by a young guy, they may come off as ostentatious.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 2:58 pm
by DukeCornell
I hate vest!

Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:03 pm
by megaTTTron
[Redacted because A&O is a genius].
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:43 pm
by Renzo
You will literally melt into a puddle of sweat and wool if you wear a vest in NYC in summer. Also, they will make you look like a poser. Once you are the $1.8 million-a-year managing partner, you can wear the most ostentatious pinstriped 3 piece suit you can find. Until then, do everything you can not to ever make one person say, "what is THAT guy wearing?"
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:53 pm
by MartianManhunter
You'll be hot, but no one will care. Nobody holds being well-dressed against you. Don't wear a pocket watch with it, though.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:15 pm
by reasonable_man
I like them. But I tend to dress conservatively for a person in his late 20s (almost always wear a blazer if I'm not going to Court, though not required).
Here is my take. For an interview, absolutely not. For a SA gig, only if you see others wearing it... And by others, I mean other associates, not partners.
Once you're a lawyer, you can rock em out once in a while. I tend to wear them if I am hosting a deposition at my office (mostly so I can take off my suit jacket, but still be formal for the depo). I also tend to wear them for appearances in Court, but only appearances such as motions or conferences and typically only in Federal Court or at the Appellate Division. I would probably not wear one for a trial (unless the opposing attorney happened to dress like a slob and I thought it might help to set me apart as a well dressed professional and not a slob).
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:04 pm
by megaTTTron
reasonable_man wrote:I like them. But I tend to dress conservatively for a person in his late 20s (almost always wear a blazer if I'm not going to Court, though not required).
Here is my take. For an interview, absolutely not. For a SA gig, only if you see others wearing it... And by others, I mean other associates, not partners.
Once you're a lawyer, you can rock em out once in a while. I tend to wear them if I am hosting a deposition at my office (mostly so I can take off my suit jacket, but still be formal for the depo). I also tend to wear them for appearances in Court, but only appearances such as motions or conferences and typically only in Federal Court or at the Appellate Division. I would probably not wear one for a trial (unless the opposing attorney happened to dress like a slob and I thought it might help to set me apart as a well dressed professional and not a slob).
good advice. thank you.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:21 pm
by A&O
Nothing to see here.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:29 pm
by megaTTTron
.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:30 pm
by omg
Now I'm really curious if this is the firm I think it is.
Edit: Aaa, I see, NYC V10. Now I'm wondering if you're the person I think you are, haha. Nevermind though : )
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:39 pm
by A&O
megaTTTron wrote:A&O wrote:megaTTTron wrote:A&O wrote:Don't do it. It's dumb. The weather is hot. And unless your office is business formal, you'll stick out like a sore thumb just for wearing the suit.
Wear it to court if you want, but it's going to be a hot ride/walk to the court.
[Redacted because A&O is a genius].
Heh. You realize you just outed your firm, right?
Damn it. Editing previous post. lol.
I edited my post.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:40 pm
by megaTTTron
A&O wrote:
I edited my post.
My man. Haha. Thank you.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:45 pm
by ksimon2007
I'm a fan of the contrast collar...is it kosher to wear one during an interview...I understand being risk averse and going with the white shirt, navy suit look, but I mean the shirt is Brooks Brothers lol...I am OL, but since this topic is being discussed I wanted in
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:48 pm
by A&O
ksimon2007 wrote:I'm a fan of the contrast collar...is it kosher to wear one during an interview...I understand being risk averse and going with the white shirt, navy suit look, but I mean the shirt is Brooks Brothers lol...I am OL, but since this topic is being discussed I wanted in
The contrast-collar is almost unequivocally associated with "banker d-bag." Avoid.
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 5:52 pm
by ksimon2007
A&O wrote:ksimon2007 wrote:I'm a fan of the contrast collar...is it kosher to wear one during an interview...I understand being risk averse and going with the white shirt, navy suit look, but I mean the shirt is Brooks Brothers lol...I am OL, but since this topic is being discussed I wanted in
The contrast-collar is almost unequivocally associated with "banker d-bag." Avoid.
I thought it was the European style spread collar...this is terrible news haha
Re: Three Piece Suits in Biglaw
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:00 pm
by bk1
A&O wrote:ksimon2007 wrote:I'm a fan of the contrast collar...is it kosher to wear one during an interview...I understand being risk averse and going with the white shirt, navy suit look, but I mean the shirt is Brooks Brothers lol...I am OL, but since this topic is being discussed I wanted in
The contrast-collar is almost unequivocally associated with "banker d-bag." Avoid.
This. I also think it looks pretty awful.