Anomaly, or not? Forum

[Renne Walker]

As you know, MOST Law Firm internet sites display headshots of their attorneys. I just visited a law firm site (ranked in the low nineties) that displayed individual full-length photos of all their attorneys. I like the concept, but nevertheless, it was the first time I have seen that.

What surprised me is that +90% of the women were dressed in pantsuits. Up until now, I thought dresses were favored over pantsuits. Keep in mind this was not what people were wearing on a typical day, this was their official photo for their law firm. Dress up, look your best.

So, if nearly every female attorney is wearing a pantsuit, is it wise to show up for an interview in a dress? Is it possible that this is just the way it is at some law firms or are pantsuits the overwhelming norm?

[c3pO4]

As you know, most law firm internet sites display headshots of their attorneys. I just visited a law firm site (ranked in the low nineties) that displayed individual full-length photos of all their attorneys. I like the concept, but nevertheless, it was the first time I have seen that.

What surprised me is that +90% of the women were dressed in pantsuits. Up until now, I thought dresses were favored over pantsuits. Keep in mind this was not what people were wearing on a typical day, this was their official photo for their law firm. Dress up, look your best.

So, if nearly every female attorney is wearing a pantsuit, is it wise to show up for an interview in a dress? Is it possible that this is just the way it is at some law firms or are pantsuits the overwhelming norm?

Ever had a job? You don't wear a dress to the office, dude.

[Ludo!]

If by "dress" you mean a blouse, jacket and a skirt then yes that's pretty common.

[I.P. Daly]

I'm not a women, but during a career services presentation, the panel of hiring attorneys strongly recommended that women should wear formal "skirt suits" to interviews.

After getting the job, it's easy to determine what to wear by looking around the office...

[TooOld4This]

As you know, most law firm internet sites display headshots of their attorneys. I just visited a law firm site (ranked in the low nineties) that displayed individual full-length photos of all their attorneys. I like the concept, but nevertheless, it was the first time I have seen that.

What surprised me is that +90% of the women were dressed in pantsuits. Up until now, I thought dresses were favored over pantsuits. Keep in mind this was not what people were wearing on a typical day, this was their official photo for their law firm. Dress up, look your best.

So, if nearly every female attorney is wearing a pantsuit, is it wise to show up for an interview in a dress? Is it possible that this is just the way it is at some law firms or are pantsuits the overwhelming norm?

I think the bolded assumption is what is throwing you.

Firm photos are designed to pitch a certain image of the firm. Some firms what a super formal image, others want a professional, but approachable feel.

Skirt suits are still the most formal attire for women, though there is less of a gap between skirt suits and pant suits than there used to be. Since formality of dress is an indication of respect for the person/process in which you are engaging, you will hardly ever go wrong with a skirt suit. (The exception would be if you run into someone who is very vigilant about wanting to change the social norm and expects others to disregard it. -- But, in my experience, even women who choose never to wear skirt suits themselves, recognize that it is still generally considered to be a sign of formality and won't hold it against women who wear them.)

[BeenDidThat]

As you know, most law firm internet sites display headshots of their attorneys. I just visited a law firm site (ranked in the low nineties) that displayed individual full-length photos of all their attorneys. I like the concept, but nevertheless, it was the first time I have seen that.

What surprised me is that +90% of the women were dressed in pantsuits. Up until now, I thought dresses were favored over pantsuits. Keep in mind this was not what people were wearing on a typical day, this was their official photo for their law firm. Dress up, look your best.

So, if nearly every female attorney is wearing a pantsuit, is it wise to show up for an interview in a dress? Is it possible that this is just the way it is at some law firms or are pantsuits the overwhelming norm?

Not a woman, but it could be that an overwhelmingly male steering committee of the firm didn't feel comfortable asking women to show up wearing skirt suits for full-length photos (as some of the female attorneys may not appreciate such a demand), while also wanting uniformity amongst the pictures. Hence, pantsuits.

Having gone through OCI, and having a pretty good memory for such things, I remember female classmates wearing either, and I really doubt that your choice of pantsuit v. skirt suit is going to sway a firm one way or the other. I'll cede the floor here to a real, live woman who will naturally have a better sense of appropriate dress.

[romothesavior]

ZOMG FULL LENGTH SHOTS?!?!?!?! NO WAI GUYZ!

Christ, you are such an awful poster.

[SilverE2]

ZOMG FULL LENGTH SHOTS?!?!?!?! NO WAI GUYZ!

Christ, you are such an awful poster.

that was mean

[MrAnon]

So, if nearly every female attorney is wearing a pantsuit, is it wise to show up for an interview in a dress?

Hmmm. If everyone is doing x, I'll do y. Sounds shrewd.

[cam_leafer]

I don't get it. Be confident and wear whatever you want. I know a guy who wore a Hawaii shirt, flip flops, and shorts to an interview. He got the job. He is brilliant too. Anyway, if you feel confident in a skirt, wear the skirt; if you feel confident in a pant suit, wear the suit. I just think it's stupid to confine to some norms. Exude confidence, be smart, and they will want you. If they are stupid enough to ding you for choice of clothes, then you probably won't like working for them anyway.

[romothesavior]

I know a guy who wore a Hawaii shirt, flip flops, and shorts to an interview. He got the job.

Wut

Also, a lot of firms will judge you for poor attire choices or for not looking professional. I heard a story about a hiring partner dinging a guy because he didn't have collar stays. I agree with you that the pant suit/skirt suit thing is more and more becoming a matter of personal choice in this day in age, but you can't say "wear whatever, its cool brah." I'd rather be employed than cling to my personal tastes.

Also, women, you look way better in skirt suits. Seriously. Pant suits = not attractive. Skirt suit with a nice little button down blouse? Yes please.

[cam_leafer]

The whole 'women look better in skirts' is quite a sexist comment. Regardless, the partner who dinged is probably an idiot--what do collar stays have to do with intelligence? And yes, the guy I mentioned wearing those atrocious things got a job. They just saw his resume, all the achievements he has, and they don't give a damn what he wears, so long as he works for them. He knows this too. Now I'm not encouraging doing what this person did, but a skirt versus pants suit is just a disgusting triviality. Again, be confident in yourself.

[I.P. Daly]

I know a guy who wore a Hawaii shirt, flip flops, and shorts to an interview. He got the job.

Interesting approach. I've been in a federal court room where the judge actually kicked an attorney out for not wearing a suit coat to court.

Not sure I'd try the Hawaiian shirt approach to a federal clerkship interview...

[romothesavior]

The whole 'women look better in skirts' is quite a sexist comment.

Saying that I have a personal preference for seeing women in skirt suits is sexist... how?

I suppose saying I prefer brunettes over blondes would be a gross miscarriage of sexual justice, amirite?

[Ludo!]

I don't get it. Be confident and wear whatever you want. I know a guy who wore a Hawaii shirt, flip flops, and shorts to an interview. He got the job. He is brilliant too. Anyway, if you feel confident in a skirt, wear the skirt; if you feel confident in a pant suit, wear the suit. I just think it's stupid to confine to some norms. Exude confidence, be smart, and they will want you. If they are stupid enough to ding you for choice of clothes, then you probably won't like working for them anyway.

At a Vault-ranked law firm? I don't believe you.

[Grizz]

ZOMG FULL LENGTH SHOTS?!?!?!?! NO WAI GUYZ!

Christ, you are such an awful poster.

that was mean

But true.

Romo I'd watch out though, she's waltzing into Cravath or Wachtell or something. HAVE YOU SEEN HER WALTZ???

[Grizz]

I know a guy who wore a Hawaii shirt, flip flops, and shorts to an interview. He got the job.

QUINN REMAINS

[romothesavior]

I know a guy who wore a Hawaii shirt, flip flops, and shorts to an interview. He got the job.

QUINN REMAINS

Lawl, I almost said the same exact thing duder.

[NeighborGuy]

The whole 'women look better in skirts' is quite a sexist comment.

Saying that I have a personal preference for seeing women in skirt suits is sexist... how?

I suppose saying I prefer brunettes over blondes would be a gross miscarriage of sexual justice, amirite?

Dif'rent strokes, I guess. I dig pantsuits on women. They seem to say, "Respect my authoritah, but check out my ass, also." And I'm only too happy to comply.

[Renne Walker]

I double checked a few more of the “Fox” offcies and Pant Suits dominate, followed by Skirt Suits then dresses. I noticed that dresses are mostly worn by partners. Hard to compare with other firms since most firms tend to stick with headshots.

As best as I could tell, Hawaiian apparel has not made it to Fox.

[cam_leaf3]

This is so crazy. Do you actually think about this? Gosh we should be glad that people can't read our minds or go out of their way to IP-trace posts: now if I had the skillz to ip-track, I wouldn't want to hire you for two things: apparent lack of confidence and for thinking too much on what to wear instead of on what to say to the interviewer.

And yes, the Hawaiian thing was for a vault-ranked firm. I met with him after the job interview, and we both had a good laugh. Again, he is brilliant, and I don't think many could pull it off. I realize that his situation is more of an "anomaly" and more befitting of the title.

Is saying that you prefer women with skirts a sexist comment. Yes, I would say it is. I have a gut feeling that if you had said this in a work environment, someone might claim sexual harassment and rightfully so. It's an ignorant comment that can lead to serious discomfort and might promote stigmatization of the opposite sex, which I suppose could somehow be construed somehow into discrimination as well. I'm curious how you'd feel if people around you started saying that they'd prefer you wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--because all men who wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--have great bulges to show and are therefore sexier. Honestly, I don't know if you'd like to go back to work where men would saliva over your bulge unless that's what you like.

[Grizz]

This is so crazy. Do you actually think about this? Gosh we should be glad that people can't read our minds or go out of their way to IP-trace posts: now if I had the skillz to ip-track, I wouldn't want to hire you for two things: apparent lack of confidence and for thinking too much on what to wear instead of on what to say to the interviewer.

And yes, the Hawaiian thing was for a vault-ranked firm. I met with him after the job interview, and we both had a good laugh. Again, he is brilliant, and I don't think many could pull it off. I realize that his situation is more of an "anomaly" and more befitting of the title.

Is saying that you prefer women with skirts a sexist comment. Yes, I would say it is. I have a gut feeling that if you had said this in a work environment, someone might claim sexual harassment and rightfully so. It's an ignorant comment that can lead to serious discomfort and might promote stigmatization of the opposite sex, which I suppose could somehow be construed somehow into discrimination as well. I'm curious how you'd feel if people around you started saying that they'd prefer you wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--because all men who wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--have great bulges to show and are therefore sexier. Honestly, I don't know if you'd like to go back to work where men would saliva over your bulge unless that's what you like.

U alting bro?

[cam_leaf3]

yah getting banned a lot.

[Dex]

Is saying that you prefer women with skirts a sexist comment. Yes, I would say it is. I have a gut feeling that if you had said this in a work environment, someone might claim sexual harassment and rightfully so. It's an ignorant comment that can lead to serious discomfort and might promote stigmatization of the opposite sex, which I suppose could somehow be construed somehow into discrimination as well. I'm curious how you'd feel if people around you started saying that they'd prefer you wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--because all men who wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--have great bulges to show and are therefore sexier. Honestly, I don't know if you'd like to go back to work where men would saliva over your bulge unless that's what you like.

Personal preferences on certain clothing choices (for your own or the opposite sex) don't have to be motivated by something as purely sexist as showing "great bulges". By assuming that a man can only have a preference over a woman's clothing choices based on some sexually motivated interest, it is you - and not Romo - who is being a sexist.

[romothesavior]

Is saying that you prefer women with skirts a sexist comment. Yes, I would say it is. I have a gut feeling that if you had said this in a work environment, someone might claim sexual harassment and rightfully so. It's an ignorant comment that can lead to serious discomfort and might promote stigmatization of the opposite sex, which I suppose could somehow be construed somehow into discrimination as well. I'm curious how you'd feel if people around you started saying that they'd prefer you wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--because all men who wear tight pants--or short, tight shorts--have great bulges to show and are therefore sexier. Honestly, I don't know if you'd like to go back to work where men would saliva over your bulge unless that's what you like.

You are a goddamn moron, and your opinion is absolutely retarded.