Summer Associate Clothing Forum

[cavalier1138]

Why did 100% of the posters here assume that the OP was a man? Women wear suits too! Weird.

It may also have been the "business casual with a jacket" remark. As far as I know, that's not how women's dress codes work.

[QContinuum]

Why did 100% of the posters here assume that the OP was a man? Women wear suits too! Weird.

It's a depressing sign that, despite all the progress we've made, people continue to think of the "typical" BigLawyer as being a straight white man.

That said, I don't think any of my earlier posts ITT assumed anything about OP's gender. My advice was to wear business formal on day one, then adjust downward to match the full-time associates.

[nixy]

One of the previous posters actually wrote something about "a tie (if you're a man)" so I don't think everyone was assuming.

[lomp123]

Slightly related question: what did you all use for a bag? Is a backpack ok? Or would a decent messenger bag be more appropriate? Or does it not matter?

[carsondalywashere]

Slightly related question: what did you all use for a bag? Is a backpack ok? Or would a decent messenger bag be more appropriate? Or does it not matter?

Also interested

[Mullens]

Slightly related question: what did you all use for a bag? Is a backpack ok? Or would a decent messenger bag be more appropriate? Or does it not matter?

Also interested

As long as it looks professional then it’s fine (like it wouldn’t look weird if you wore it with your work clothes).

[nixy]

I’m going to be slightly snotty, and this isn’t really worth worrying about - your success as a summer won’t hinge on this. But if you’re K-JD or look like you are, I think a messenger bag makes a slightly better impression (mostly I think many backpacks lean juvenile and look bad over jackets). But mostly repeating if it looks okay with your work clothes you’re good (so not something really technical/camping/casual).

[papermateflair]

I would approach it like this - if you run into a partner in the hall or elevator on your way to your desk in the morning, are you going to be thinking about your bag/backpack and whether the partner things you're doing things appropriately, or focused on the conversation with the partner? If the bag issue is going to be distracting for you, buy something that is low key and nice enough that it isn't something you will be second guessing. I say this as a senior associate who wears a backpack into work every day and doesn't give it a second thought, and would never think about it if I saw a summer associate with a wild colored backpack or whatever. Pay the $40 for something from Target or whatever that's a normal neutral color and then never think about it again. Peace of mind in exchange for $40 or $50. No one is going to be reading labels or expecting you to have some sort of designer bag that costs you $1,000, and ultimately no one is not going to hire you over your bag. But why worry when you can spend $40 and just carry around a messenger bag or a large laptop purse instead of your neon Cotopaxi backpack.

[Anonymous User]

In the same vein, should I be concerned about wearing things that are too nice? I don't own anything flashy but have things that would be considred reasonably expensive by a layperson and I assume some big law associates and partners would be able to recognize, Filson bag, Allen Edmonds, IWC that I got for a grad present etc. Is it okay to wear these things or should I buy less expensive alternatives to avoid looking like a silver spoon kid?

[Anonymous User]

In the same vein, should I be concerned about wearing things that are too nice? I don't own anything flashy but have things that would be considred reasonably expensive by a layperson and I assume some big law associates and partners would be able to recognize, Filson bag, Allen Edmonds, IWC that I got for a grad present etc. Is it okay to wear these things or should I buy less expensive alternatives to avoid looking like a silver spoon kid?

A good friend of mine got some snarky remarks about her expensive attire from the partner that did her end-of-summer review. She still got an offer, but I think the takeaway is, better to avoid luxury brands that might raise folks' eyebrows.

[QContinuum]

Slightly related question: what did you all use for a bag? Is a backpack ok? Or would a decent messenger bag be more appropriate? Or does it not matter?

Also interested

Backpack is more than OK. As another poster noted above ITT, I'd avoid anything particularly "wild-colored," or with Snow White or Mickey Mouse on it or a Twilight theme or whatnot. But short of that, typical school backpacks are fine and won't raise anyone's eyebrows. Plenty of partners use backpacks.

[papermateflair]

In the same vein, should I be concerned about wearing things that are too nice? I don't own anything flashy but have things that would be considred reasonably expensive by a layperson and I assume some big law associates and partners would be able to recognize, Filson bag, Allen Edmonds, IWC that I got for a grad present etc. Is it okay to wear these things or should I buy less expensive alternatives to avoid looking like a silver spoon kid?

I had to google "Filson bag" because apparently I'm not hip to whatever the nice stuff is, so I wouldn't be the best judge of what's a nice expensive brand and what's the in-house brand at Target But generally I would just say be reasonable. I guess I would have the same advice as before - if you are worried it may be an issue, then just buy something more moderate so you don't have to stress about it. If you're really a "silver spoon kid" people are going to find out anyway when you accidentally drop tidbits about your life - and honestly, unless you're really intolerable about your family's money or don't know when to stop going on and on about your elite background, no one is really going to care.

[nixy]

The Filson and Allen Edmonds aren’t at all crazy extravagant in the context of the legal profession, so I wouldn’t worry about that at all (for a while this site was all about the Allen Edmonds and there was much discussion in them in a men’s fashion thread). The IWC I had to google, and unless you have a super flashy model I suspect the only people who’d recognize the brand are people already into watches.

This seems to come up a bit more with women, but I think more of an issue is something like visibly branded stuff from brands that sell only $1000+ plus bags and shoes, not what you’ve mentioned. I don’t think a really nice watch is a problem on its own, but again, you could not wear it to start and see what other people are going to wear, if it’s going to worry you.

[Person1111]

For men, unless you have something truly outrageous (like a diamond-crusted Hublot/Vacheron Constantin/Panerai watch), no one will notice or care about your clothes/watch being too expensive. No one will bat an eye at Allen Edmonds shoes, a Rolex/IWC watch, etc.

For women, I would be careful about really extravagant marquee brands (like a Birkin bag or Louboutin shoes), but short of that it doesn't really matter.

[Mullens]

Generally agree with the sentiment of avoiding ostentatious items or super marquee brands with the qualification that the line of acceptable/too flashy is gonna be firm and market dependent. Don’t think anyone would think twice about a summer wearing black leather louboutins (lots of associates wear them) in my office but I probably wouldn’t wear them at a midsize firm in Cleveland.

[FND]

Lawyers wear suits - I mean seriously that's not a very egregious claim. My firm has a business casual dress code but people still wear suits regularly, which i don't perceive to be uncommon.

[/quote]
I've met clients in jeans & t-shirt.

Back when I was doing big-city transactional, I NEVER wore a suit. Always business casual. In my current position, I wear jeans if I'm not seeing a client, suit without a tie if I know I have meetings (and only because I prefer it to slacks)

[Anonymous User]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I figured it might be OK to ask here rather than to start a million new "summer associate general question" threads since we're already talking about SA etiquette.

What are peoples thoughts on SA's listening to headphones (I listen to special music designed to help focus) and installing programs like Freedom (a content blocker)? I have a borderline ADHD (confirmed by a doctor) and have a lot of difficulties concentrating, but it's not so severe that I take Adderall or anything. I know companies can be sketchy about installing software on laptops, so I'm not sure how to approach this best, but these tools have gone a long way in helping me as opposed to turning to RX meds. Also w/r/t the headphones, I know some places don't love that.

(Anon for the ADHD thing).

[Anonymous User]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but I figured it might be OK to ask here rather than to start a million new "summer associate general question" threads since we're already talking about SA etiquette.

What are peoples thoughts on SA's listening to headphones (I listen to special music designed to help focus) and installing programs like Freedom (a content blocker)? I have a borderline ADHD (confirmed by a doctor) and have a lot of difficulties concentrating, but it's not so severe that I take Adderall or anything. I know companies can be sketchy about installing software on laptops, so I'm not sure how to approach this best, but these tools have gone a long way in helping me as opposed to turning to RX meds. Also w/r/t the headphones, I know some places don't love that.

(Anon for the ADHD thing).

In my office, earbuds would've been fine (if they were simple) but I wouldn't wear beats or anything that's huge/obnoxious-looking.

[cavalier1138]

I know companies can be sketchy about installing software on laptops

That's putting it mildly. There's no way you can do that without asking, which means you're going to have to discuss your ADHD with someone at the firm. Since you seem to be worried about that, it's going to be your call. But absolutely, 100% do not install software on your work laptop without permission (assuming that IT at your firm doesn't prevent you from doing it already).

[floatie]

I know companies can be sketchy about installing software on laptops

That's putting it mildly. There's no way you can do that without asking, which means you're going to have to discuss your ADHD with someone at the firm. Since you seem to be worried about that, it's going to be your call. But absolutely, 100% do not install software on your work laptop without permission (assuming that IT at your firm doesn't prevent you from doing it already).

It's possible to discuss this with someone without mentioning ADHD. A statement like "this is a software program that I have used throughout law school that has helped me use my time as efficiently as possible" might work.

[Anonymous User]

In the same vein, should I be concerned about wearing things that are too nice? I don't own anything flashy but have things that would be considred reasonably expensive by a layperson and I assume some big law associates and partners would be able to recognize, Filson bag, Allen Edmonds, IWC that I got for a grad present etc. Is it okay to wear these things or should I buy less expensive alternatives to avoid looking like a silver spoon kid?

IWC is ok depending on the model, but if you think Filson and Allen Edmonds are too nice then you don't have to worry about what you are worrying about

[Anonymous User]

Jumping on the fashion questions here, I'm guessing belt buckles that show off the brand (think Ferragamo, Gucci, LV, etc) would make you look way too douchey right?

[clshopeful]

In the same vein, should I be concerned about wearing things that are too nice? I don't own anything flashy but have things that would be considred reasonably expensive by a layperson and I assume some big law associates and partners would be able to recognize, Filson bag, Allen Edmonds, IWC that I got for a grad present etc. Is it okay to wear these things or should I buy less expensive alternatives to avoid looking like a silver spoon kid?

I had to google "Filson bag" because apparently I'm not hip to whatever the nice stuff is, so I wouldn't be the best judge of what's a nice expensive brand and what's the in-house brand at Target But generally I would just say be reasonable. I guess I would have the same advice as before - if you are worried it may be an issue, then just buy something more moderate so you don't have to stress about it. If you're really a "silver spoon kid" people are going to find out anyway when you accidentally drop tidbits about your life - and honestly, unless you're really intolerable about your family's money or don't know when to stop going on and on about your elite background, no one is really going to care.

No one will notice you are wearing Allen Edmonds, Lol. Nor would anyone care, they are just high quality shoes; not like you're wearing louis vuitton print oxfords.

[Anonymous User]

Jumping on the fashion questions here, I'm guessing belt buckles that show off the brand (think Ferragamo, Gucci, LV, etc) would make you look way too douchey right?

Yes. Someone in the summer class did this and it was not a good look. Also stay away from obviously-branded ties too -- same issue.

[lomp123]

Do any guys have recommendations for pants/slacks? I have heard good things about Bonobos weekday warriors.