Top Law Schools

The firm I'll be summering at next year is "business casual." I interviewed mostly with female attorneys during the interview process, so I didn't really get a feel for what the male attorneys wear around the office. Seemed like business casual = brooks brothers, though. Looking to buy some clothes over Xmas break, anyone care to weigh in?

Slacks and a collared shirt.

Basic BizCaz Wardrobe - for a full time professional. Pair down for your needs.

3x Well Fitted White Dress Shirts
2X Well Fitted Blue Dress shirts - For both of these, cop BB extra slim fit on their regular sales.

1-2 Pairs of charcoal, navy and tan dress slacks, well fitted & quarter break length.

Pair of cordovan/burgundy cap toe oxfords, and pair of black cap toe oxfords.

A collection of conservative ties - J Press and BB are great for these.

A classic navy sport coat.

A classic belt to match both pairs of shoes, and a watch to match both pairs of shoes.

You're set for anything.

I've only seen partners in polos. I think button-ups are safe for associate business casual.

I think "business casual" varies significantly depending on location. (as in, SV probably much different expectations than NYC or DC)

flawschoolkid wrote:Basic BizCaz Wardrobe - for a full time professional. Pair down for your needs.

3x Well Fitted White Dress Shirts
2X Well Fitted Blue Dress shirts - For both of these, cop BB extra slim fit on their regular sales.

1-2 Pairs of charcoal, navy and tan dress slacks, well fitted & quarter break length.

Pair of cordovan/burgundy cap toe oxfords, and pair of black cap toe oxfords.

A collection of conservative ties - J Press and BB are great for these.

A classic navy sport coat.

A classic belt to match both pairs of shoes, and a watch to match both pairs of shoes.

You're set for anything.

I would recommend not wearing white shirts. I think it is strange to wear white shirts outside of the suit-and-tie context. Same goes for solid light blue shirts. Instead, just get shirts in checks and stripes. It doesn't really matter what color.

TTTooKewl wrote:I think "business casual" varies significantly depending on location. (as in, SV probably much different expectations than NYC or DC)

Credited. Where is OP's office?

Hopefully2012 wrote:

TTTooKewl wrote:I think "business casual" varies significantly depending on location. (as in, SV probably much different expectations than NYC or DC)

Credited. Where is OP's office?

NYC.

parkslope wrote:

flawschoolkid wrote:Basic BizCaz Wardrobe - for a full time professional. Pair down for your needs.

3x Well Fitted White Dress Shirts
2X Well Fitted Blue Dress shirts - For both of these, cop BB extra slim fit on their regular sales.

1-2 Pairs of charcoal, navy and tan dress slacks, well fitted & quarter break length.

Pair of cordovan/burgundy cap toe oxfords, and pair of black cap toe oxfords.

A collection of conservative ties - J Press and BB are great for these.

A classic navy sport coat.

A classic belt to match both pairs of shoes, and a watch to match both pairs of shoes.

You're set for anything.

I would recommend not wearing white shirts. I think it is strange to wear white shirts outside of the suit-and-tie context. Same goes for solid light blue shirts. Instead, just get shirts in checks and stripes. It doesn't really matter what color.

What? Can't go wrong with solid white/light blue with slacks and a blazer. Flawschool nailed it. Though checkered/striped shirts are fine too for business casual.

You could have designs on the dress shirts, but nothing outlandish.

Briney Spring Gun wrote:

Hopefully2012 wrote:

TTTooKewl wrote:I think "business casual" varies significantly depending on location. (as in, SV probably much different expectations than NYC or DC)

Credited. Where is OP's office?

NYC.

NYC is generally more formal, so adding a blazer with no tie will allow you to fit in better as well as generate more wardrobe variety.

I'd e-mail the recruiting coordinator. People hinted at it upthread, but I've been in business casual that means "we wear suits and just say biz cas to fit in" and business casual where you'd get looked at funny for ever wearing a tie or sport coat.

AReasonableMan wrote:You could have designs on the dress shirts, but nothing outlandish.

I don't think anything outside of a simple gingham or muted stripes would be traditional business casual, and could very quickly look very poor.

Don't look at the suits that are currently making the rounds on talks shows, TV, etc. They're not classic, not conservative, and in my opinion not great.

Unfortunately it varies. Somes places this means suit no tie. OR suit but you can hang your jacket up. LOL at those firms.

DC gets to rock slacks and collared shirt. And you can pull off polos and patterned shirts no problem. Jeans on friday.

Carter1901 wrote:

parkslope wrote:

flawschoolkid wrote:Basic BizCaz Wardrobe - for a full time professional. Pair down for your needs.

3x Well Fitted White Dress Shirts
2X Well Fitted Blue Dress shirts - For both of these, cop BB extra slim fit on their regular sales.

1-2 Pairs of charcoal, navy and tan dress slacks, well fitted & quarter break length.

Pair of cordovan/burgundy cap toe oxfords, and pair of black cap toe oxfords.

A collection of conservative ties - J Press and BB are great for these.

A classic navy sport coat.

A classic belt to match both pairs of shoes, and a watch to match both pairs of shoes.

You're set for anything.

I would recommend not wearing white shirts. I think it is strange to wear white shirts outside of the suit-and-tie context. Same goes for solid light blue shirts. Instead, just get shirts in checks and stripes. It doesn't really matter what color.

What? Can't go wrong with solid white/light blue with slacks and a blazer. Flawschool nailed it. Though checkered/striped shirts are fine too for business casual.

To me, a white shirt looks like you took off part of your suit. But I also don't like wearing a tie sans jacket, which to me smacks of used car salesman/Al Golden (pick your poison).

FWIW I agree that a white shirt looks a little odd without a jacket and tie. It's not awful but it's a little too formal. IMO solid blue is okay though. A conservative pattern (striped or checked) is probably best.

I don't know that any firm would claim to be business casual but require suits every day. That doesn't make any sense. The variation is more like, you can wear khakis and polos (not often if ever the case in NYC) or you can wear dark slacks and a dress shirt. It's probably safe to assume the latter.

Either way you'll still need a couple suits.

Brooks Brothers has plenty of subdued pattern dress shirts that are appropriate for business casual if you to skip the white shirt.

parkslope wrote:

Carter1901 wrote:

parkslope wrote:

flawschoolkid wrote:Basic BizCaz Wardrobe - for a full time professional. Pair down for your needs.

3x Well Fitted White Dress Shirts
2X Well Fitted Blue Dress shirts - For both of these, cop BB extra slim fit on their regular sales.

1-2 Pairs of charcoal, navy and tan dress slacks, well fitted & quarter break length.

Pair of cordovan/burgundy cap toe oxfords, and pair of black cap toe oxfords.

A collection of conservative ties - J Press and BB are great for these.

A classic navy sport coat.

A classic belt to match both pairs of shoes, and a watch to match both pairs of shoes.

You're set for anything.

I would recommend not wearing white shirts. I think it is strange to wear white shirts outside of the suit-and-tie context. Same goes for solid light blue shirts. Instead, just get shirts in checks and stripes. It doesn't really matter what color.

What? Can't go wrong with solid white/light blue with slacks and a blazer. Flawschool nailed it. Though checkered/striped shirts are fine too for business casual.

To me, a white shirt looks like you took off part of your suit. But I also don't like wearing a tie sans jacket, which to me smacks of used car salesman/Al Golden (pick your poison).

Fair point, well said.

Great, thanks for all of the input guys!

Ew brooks brothers. Unless you're a 40+ olds steer clear

My place is business casual, and I was planning to load up on JCrew Factory Washed shirts and wear them under a navy/charcoal/gray suit with no tie. This thread is making me think that's going to be too colorful. Thoughts?

jbagelboy wrote:Ew brooks brothers. Unless you're a 40+ olds steer clear

Their extra-slim fit non-irons are solid (i.e., not functional parachutes like their "traditional" fit).

Carter1901 wrote:

jbagelboy wrote:Ew brooks brothers. Unless you're a 40+ olds steer clear

Their extra-slim fit non-irons are solid (i.e., not functional parachutes like their "traditional" fit).

Yeah. The Extra slim fit shirts are excellent, Just make sure to try them on.

Their 1818 Line suits fit very well, although they are traditional. Suit Supply may be better for a bit less $$$ and a more modern cut.

The pants/slacks are hit and miss, but depending on your body type you can find something. I've had good luck with Milano and Fitzgerald cuts.

Also, lets not excuse 40+ year olds for dressing poorly, haha.

Be careful with the extra-slim fit if you don't have a naturally lean, lanky frame. I know slim fit is all the rage right now, but you can easily take it too far. There is a happy medium between billowy tarp and lycra bodysuit. I've seen many guys look like overstuffed sausages in their dress shirts. I'm not talking about fatties, either. I'm 5'11 and 170 lbs and look ridiculous in most extra-slim shirts. Basically anyone not built like a distance runner should go for slim over extra slim IMHO. At least try both on and see which looks better on your frame.

I'm 6' and 205 (some of it's actually muscle, too!) and the BB extra slim fit is perfect for me.