Summer Associate Attire: Dress Shoes w/ Rubber Soles Forum

[Anonymous User]

Hi. I am a law student in the midwest. I wear cap toe dress shoes with rubber soles as they are more practical with the the walkways and whatnot here. However, I'll be summering at a law firm in a major city. Will I be okay wearing these shoes over the summer? They look completely normal from the top; they just have Vibram soles underneath.

[Sackboy]

It's fine. Don't worry about it.

[eastcoast_iub]

At my firm, the rubric for a summer getting an offer to return was as follows:

25% - attitude/responsiveness
25% - demonstrated aptitude in assignments (writing, legal research)
50% - appropriateness of attire, with a particular emphasis on the nature and quality of materials in the dress shoe

I would not take a chance on wearing rubber-soled dress shoes given the importance of criterion three. This would have been a major no-no at my firm.

[Anonymous User]

Without the familiar click-clack of leather bottom dress shoes on the office hallway floors, you may startle folks that you're walking behind. Startle the wrong partner, and that's a no offer.

In all seriousness: You'll be fine. I personally think full rubber bottom dress shoes are a bit tacky (you can find comfortable leather-bottom dress shoes, and if its really rainy/snowy where you live/work you can wear rubber galoshes on their exterior when you're walking to/from the office). BUT I'd never hold that against a summer associate, and I can't imagine even the most sartorially snobby partner doing that. Wear your existing rubber shoes, and reward yourself with a nice pair of leather ones when you get the offer.

Accidental anon: Barrred.

[HenryHankPalmer]

"I mean, seriously, how often do you really look at a mans shoes? Andy crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of shit smelling foulness I can't even imagine, or maybe I just don't want to. Five hundred yards... that's the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile."- Red Redding

[AspiringAspirant]

Hi. I am a law student in the midwest. I wear cap toe dress shoes with rubber soles as they are more practical with the the walkways and whatnot here. However, I'll be summering at a law firm in a major city. Will I be okay wearing these shoes over the summer? They look completely normal from the top; they just have Vibram soles underneath.

That's a tough one. I wouldn't risk it but, ultimately, I think this is a question better suited for your firm. Most firms have very helpful listservs that you can use for important questions like this (e.g., ~Associates; ~Attorneys; etc.). Ask an assistant for the the listserv with the most associates and shoot this question to it on your first day or two.

[Anonymous User]

I thought these responses were all sarcastic, but now I cannot tell. Unless you are working at the douchiest law firm imaginable, this will not make a difference.

If you do want to splurge on shoes and are not able to make it to Rome, I would recommend Allen Edmonds and Quoddy. The later only makes shoes to order and is (relatively) well priced. The former is classic American.

[AspiringAspirant]

Ok I feel bad so I'm back.

OP: You can wear $5 dress shoes from Goodwill. Nobody cares. Now, if you we're talking about what to wear to court, that could be a different story. But your colleagues will not pay attention to something as trivial as your shoe soles.

My unsolicited advice is to let go of what appears to be serious anxious paranoia, or at least direct it toward matters that are relevant like legal research and brief writing. Perhaps most importantly, focus on not being a weirdo and you'll be okay.

[Anonymous User]

I'm at one of Ropes/Wilmer/Goodwin/Choate in Boston, and I'd say maybe only half of the summers wear leather bottomed shoes on the reg. Lots don't even own a pair, and the same can be said of associates too. Someone in my summer class wore beeswax desert boots during the first week, and that was probably what you'd have to do to cross the line.

Maybe you could post your firm and office alongside some peer firms? That way you might get some anecdotes that are on point.

Also, don't feel obligated to get AEs or something else fancy for the summer. If you must buy something leather soled, you could probably get away with a pair of Wenjuns at most firms. Otherwise, I hear Meermin makes relatively good quality shoes that look good from what I can tell online for about half the price of AEs.

[Prudent_Jurist]

Make a power play people will respect and wear Vibrams.

[BrowsingTLS]

OP, I got one question for you.

[crazywafflez]

You'll be fine, just wear them. Nobody cares unless you are wearing camo crocks

[Anonymous User]

What about concentrated power of will?

At my firm, the rubric for a summer getting an offer to return was as follows:

25% - attitude/responsiveness
25% - demonstrated aptitude in assignments (writing, legal research)
50% - appropriateness of attire, with a particular emphasis on the nature and quality of materials in the dress shoe

I would not take a chance on wearing rubber-soled dress shoes given the importance of criterion three. This would have been a major no-no at my firm.

[Anonymous User]

I'm at one of Ropes/Wilmer/Goodwin/Choate in Boston, and I'd say maybe only half of the summers wear leather bottomed shoes on the reg. Lots don't even own a pair, and the same can be said of associates too. Someone in my summer class wore beeswax desert boots during the first week, and that was probably what you'd have to do to cross the line.

Maybe you could post your firm and office alongside some peer firms? That way you might get some anecdotes that are on point.

Also, don't feel obligated to get AEs or something else fancy for the summer. If you must buy something leather soled, you could probably get away with a pair of Wenjuns at most firms. Otherwise, I hear Meermin makes relatively good quality shoes that look good from what I can tell online for about half the price of AEs.

I’m very happy with my Meermins, though breaking them in was a bit uncomfortable.

But yeah OP nobody cares

[Anonymous User]

I've seen people wear tight t shirts to their office. You're fine. Nobody cares.

[Anonymous User]

Hi. I am a law student in the midwest. I wear cap toe dress shoes with rubber soles as they are more practical with the the walkways and whatnot here. However, I'll be summering at a law firm in a major city. Will I be okay wearing these shoes over the summer? They look completely normal from the top; they just have Vibram soles underneath.

I wore boat shoes and rolled my cuffs up; mostly polo or a button down if it was colder.

Now a 7th year corporate law associate - secondary market for V50 firm. Never have worn a suit to work; with post-covid I wear jeans and a crewneck sweatshirt/sweater in the winter, planning on chinos and/or shorts in the summer.

Just follow the lead of your colleagues.

[Casper123]

As long as Americans think it's okay to wear Patagonia vests you'll be fine.

[Pulsar]

On my rare trips to my V10 office these days, I wear a leather-bottomed shoe, but the upper is sadly only full-grain rather than full-grain calfskin. I am far better shoe'd than all but the wealthiest share partners at the firm.

Vibram is practical; you will beat the crap out of those leather-bottomed soles if you walk around on concrete in a city much, especially if it rains.