Appropriate Attire for Male Summer Associates? Forum

[urbancowboy]

What should a summer associate at a V100 in NY plan on wearing? Strictly white/blue shirts with a conservative grey/navy/charcoal notch lapel/single-breasted suit and solid navy tie? Potentially just a shirt and slacks some days? Should one stick to cap toe dress shoes? Is it okay if they have rubber soles provided that the top looks traditionally dressy? Are monk straps off-limits for mere summers? Should one use a brief case/messenger bag? Or will a backpack suffice?

Very seldom do men seek guidance on this subject here, and I would be eager for some input.

[Anonymous User]

solid navy tie?

I'm also an incoming SA, at a traditional white-shoe firm where coat and tie everyday was apparently the norm before covid, but there's no way you have to stick only to a solid dark tie...

[Anonymous User]

Assuming in-person, it still depends on the firm (S&C and QE have different vibes). If you are not told by your firm closer to the start date, just reach out to the associate coordinator.

I have never heard that shoes should be cap-toed, but maybe I am just okay with more Italian-style shoes. I would probably avoid broguing just because it is flashier.

Your suit combination sounds good.

[Anonymous User]

What should a summer associate at a V100 in NY plan on wearing? Strictly white/blue shirts with a conservative grey/navy/charcoal notch lapel/single-breasted suit and solid navy tie? Potentially just a shirt and slacks some days? Should one stick to cap toe dress shoes? Is it okay if they have rubber soles provided that the top looks traditionally dressy? Are monk straps off-limits for mere summers? Should one use a brief case/messenger bag? Or will a backpack suffice?

Very seldom do men seek guidance on this subject here, and I would be eager for some input.

Shirt and slacks most days besides your first will be fine. White/blue are defaults, can also mix it up with light checkers, etc. Nothing too bold. CT has great dress shirts and not too pricey. Throw on a blazer on your way into the office but I wouldn't wear it around all day. Might also do non-matching blazer/pants (i.e., navy jacket, charcoal pants). Monk straps are definitely the right call. Backpacks are fine, messenger bag wouldn't hurt. Some of this is firm dependent, so just see what other lawyers are doing.

Don't wear a tie on any day besides your first unless someone tells you to. Just leave one in your office.

[urbancowboy]

What should a summer associate at a V100 in NY plan on wearing? Strictly white/blue shirts with a conservative grey/navy/charcoal notch lapel/single-breasted suit and solid navy tie? Potentially just a shirt and slacks some days? Should one stick to cap toe dress shoes? Is it okay if they have rubber soles provided that the top looks traditionally dressy? Are monk straps off-limits for mere summers? Should one use a brief case/messenger bag? Or will a backpack suffice?

Very seldom do men seek guidance on this subject here, and I would be eager for some input.

Shirt and slacks most days besides your first will be fine. White/blue are defaults, can also mix it up with light checkers, etc. Nothing too bold. CT has great dress shirts and not too pricey. Throw on a blazer on your way into the office but I wouldn't wear it around all day. Might also do non-matching blazer/pants (i.e., navy jacket, charcoal pants). Monk straps are definitely the right call. Backpacks are fine, messenger bag wouldn't hurt. Some of this is firm dependent, so just see what other lawyers are doing.

Don't wear a tie on any day besides your first unless someone tells you to. Just leave one in your office.

This may be a silly question, but how do offices work for summers? Do they usually share one with an associate?

[Anonymous User]

What should a summer associate at a V100 in NY plan on wearing? Strictly white/blue shirts with a conservative grey/navy/charcoal notch lapel/single-breasted suit and solid navy tie? Potentially just a shirt and slacks some days? Should one stick to cap toe dress shoes? Is it okay if they have rubber soles provided that the top looks traditionally dressy? Are monk straps off-limits for mere summers? Should one use a brief case/messenger bag? Or will a backpack suffice?

Very seldom do men seek guidance on this subject here, and I would be eager for some input.

Shirt and slacks most days besides your first will be fine. White/blue are defaults, can also mix it up with light checkers, etc. Nothing too bold. CT has great dress shirts and not too pricey. Throw on a blazer on your way into the office but I wouldn't wear it around all day. Might also do non-matching blazer/pants (i.e., navy jacket, charcoal pants). Monk straps are definitely the right call. Backpacks are fine, messenger bag wouldn't hurt. Some of this is firm dependent, so just see what other lawyers are doing.

Don't wear a tie on any day besides your first unless someone tells you to. Just leave one in your office.

This may be a silly question, but how do offices work for summers? Do they usually share one with an associate?

Yes, or with another Summer. In NYC at least. I know in non-NYC markets a lot of summer get their own offices.

Alternatively, some NYC firms have also moved to bullpens for 1st years/summers, so again, firm dependent.

[RedNewJersey]

Strictly white/blue shirts with a conservative grey/navy/charcoal notch lapel/single-breasted suit and solid navy tie? Potentially just a shirt and slacks some days? Should one stick to cap toe dress shoes? Is it okay if they have rubber soles provided that the top looks traditionally dressy? Are monk straps off-limits for mere summers? Should one use a brief case/messenger bag? Or will a backpack suffice?

I appreciate the paranoia, but all of these are fine and the fact that you know to ask means you won't have any problem. In order:
Any button-up shirt that looks good is fine. I wouldn't do lumberjack-style flannel, but any solid color or reasonable pattern/texture is solidly fine.
Yes, as long as at least one partner and associate in your group does that (and maybe not the first week). You will be told the dress code (probably) when you start.
Any leather dress shoe is fine (oxford, derby, loafer, monkstrap, rubber-soled, etc.). Really, I think even a suede shoe in the right style is fine.
Brief cases / a leather messenger bag looks cool and is fun for that reason. But a backpack is fine--lots of associates do that. If you can get a nice-looking backpack so you don't look like a gradeschooler, that's better (and try to have an excuse, like that you're going to the gym or whatever).