What constitutes "casual" dress for a law firm reception? Forum

[Anonymous User]

Question is in thread title. Should I go buy polish for my loafers, or can I wear puma-style suede shoes? Is "business" an implied term when a firm writes the word "casual" on an invitation?

[Anonymous User]

Question is in thread title. Should I go buy polish for my loafers, or can I wear puma-style suede shoes? Is "business" an implied term when a firm writes the word "casual" on an invitation?

I would still wear slacks and a polo. It IS a recruiting event after all.

[chadwick218]

If this is a law firm reception, I would wear business casual (very nice slacks, polished shoes, and either a button down or dressy polo shirt).

[Anonymous User]

I always just wear a suit but with the tie in a pocket. saves having to have separate outfits for different levels of casualness, and you can immediately switch to more formal if you find it necessary

[Dingo McPhee]

What would you like to be wearing when you meet the senior partner? Wear that.

[Anonymous User]

i work at a v5 law firm as a paralegal and i would say that you should either definitely wear a suit or dark dress pants and a button down. do not wear slacks...

[paratactical]

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[El Orance]

What would you like to be wearing when you meet the senior partner? Wear that.

spiderman outfit it is, then

[Anonymous User]

If this is a law firm reception, I would wear business casual (very nice slacks, polished shoes, and either a button down or dressy polo shirt).

To be more specific, the reception is at a place called "Good Time Charley's." It's not like we'll be in the lobby of the Four Seasons... Does this change anything?

[ancientone]

Dress trousers, button-down shirt (something with a not-too-loud pattern is good), dress shoes. Maybe a jacket if you want.

Press your clothes and try to keep them looking freshly pressed (don't put them on and wear them around the house for 45 minutes before leaving).

Edit: Don't wear a polo. Or khakis.

[paratactical]

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[chadwick218]

If this is a law firm reception, I would wear business casual (very nice slacks, polished shoes, and either a button down or dressy polo shirt).

For me personally, I would wear very nice dress slacks, a button down shirt, and a jacket.

[Anonymous User]

tweed jacket
white shirt with broad checks in dark blue and light blue
dark knitted tie
(tie bar optional)
brown belt
navy chinos
no socks
dark brown loafers with tassels
white hankerchief in jacket pocket

edit: and a panama hat. and a cane.

[underdawg]

def no polos or khakis. come on now

shirt and dress pants, perhaps a tie

[Da Stain]

So glad, I didn't have to deal with this today. My interview ended at 5:30, reception at 6. So i just ditched the coat and tie fully confident they wouldn't think anything of it.

If I DIDN'T just finish the interview, I'd still have done this. It looks more normal, to just wear the suit you had minus coat and/or tie, since they don't know if you had interviews all day either. This would be my suggestion: Look like you just came from interviews/ended your work day.

[gollymolly]

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[Anonymous User]

Went with the button-down shirt and nice dark pants...and I was one of the best-dressed guys there. Only one of the lawyers wore a suit, and he went without the tie and was guzzling beers.

[edcrane]

Went with the button-down shirt and nice dark pants...and I was one of the best-dressed guys there. Only one of the lawyers wore a suit, and he went without the tie and was guzzling beers.

What range firm was this, and was it NY?

[Anonymous User]

V50, Chicago office.

[Dick Whitman]

It's very hard to look overdressed in a suit. Don't wear a tie to a casual event, though.

[Kohinoor]

It's very hard to look overdressed in a suit. Don't wear a tie to a casual event, though.

It's actually extremely easy to look overdressed in a suit. Is anyone else wearing a suit? No? You look overdressed.

[Dick Whitman]

It's very hard to look overdressed in a suit. Don't wear a tie to a casual event, though.

It's actually extremely easy to look overdressed in a suit. Is anyone else wearing a suit? No? You look overdressed.

Not if anyone else is wearing a collared shirt or a coat.