How formal ought I dress while attending class in law school Forum

[punklaw86]

Hello, I researched this question prior to this post and came up short of a concrete answer. What is considered proper attire for male law students? Jeans and T-shirts, polos and jeans, dress shirt and jeans, dress shirts with a tie and dress pants, or full blown suits?

[swc65]

Short skirts and high heels is prolly your best bet. Full-on drag will get you noticed.

[Renzo]

Hello, I researched this question prior to this post and came up short of a concrete answer. What is considered proper attire for male law students? Jeans and T-shirts, polos and jeans, dress shirt and jeans, dress shirts with a tie and dress pants, or full blown suits?

Don't dress like a slob, it's an assault on the public. Otherwise, whatever you want.

[reverendt]

However you want/are comfortable, but not too formal.
Nobody wears a tie/dress slacks/dress shoes, etc., unless they're going to work after class or they have an interview.
If someone did I have a feeling they would get a rep as a complete tool real fast.
Wear jeans or casual pants, a t-shirt is fine, or a casual collared shirt/sweater. Sneakers, boots, casual loafers, whatever.

[punklaw86]

The question was regarding male attire. Please re-read original post swc65.

[thuggishruggishbone]

you can wear anything--i've worn workout clothes to class and a formal suit (had an interview)-no dress code for class

[Renzo]

The question was regarding male attire. Please re-read original post swc65.

I don't think there was any confusion. A skirt isn't "full on drag" for a woman.

[gdane]

There was a big discussion about this on here last week.

The conclusion was: Wear whatever the hell you want. You're being graded on your performance, not what you wear.

If you want to look nice, then go ahead. Otherwise, just wear whatever you feel comfotable in.

[macattaq]

There was a big discussion about this on here last week.

The conclusion was: Wear whatever the hell you want. You're being graded on your performance, not what you wear.

If you want to look nice, then go ahead. Otherwise, just wear whatever you feel comfotable in.

Practically speaking, you don't want your classmates thinking you're a douche. That could hurt you professionally, since they will be your colleagues. Best to make sure you wear something acceptable, and not too far out there.

[PDaddy]

Geography matters. It's mostly fine to just wear what you wore in UG. But, although some people may not realize it, schools with part-time programs, especially urban ones, will have better dressed students, for the obvious reasons. Schools in large urban cities like NY, Chicago or Seattle are different. People like to wear nice stuff there, but they don't wear houndstooth jackets with patches on the sleeves and smoke pipes or anything. It's nice/casual. Plan on seeing a lot of Banana Republic, Kenneth Cole and Gap.

Generally, jeans or khakis, polos or button-downs or T-s, loafers, driving shoes or nice tennies should be cool. On Fridays at urban schools like NYU, happy hour is king on and off campus. Urban women (and gay men) like a guy who dresses nicely once in awhile. So dress up in some chinos and a nice Friday dress shirt and a pair of loafers. Wear that cashmere turtle-neck sweater once in awhile with a pair of slacks. It's all gravy. On Fridays, plan on seeing everything from Gap to Prada!

If you go to Iowa or 'Bama, jeans and t's are the thing. Plan on seeing a lot of Gap, Old Navy, Levis, and Foot Locker!

[Renzo]

Geography matters.

This is actually true. I have found that on average, the northeast is one tiny step dressier at all times than the rest of the nation. For events you'd wear a polo shirt to in LA, people wear a button-down, maybe even a sport coat in NY/Boston/Philly/CT/etc.

[dextermorgan]

Sweat pants and halter tops.

Seriously.

I've been here too long.

[JazzOne]

full blown suits

[Chris_cpb]

Personally I feel like leather boots/shoes and jeans are perfect but I am a boot fiend so this is just my opinion.

[PDaddy]

Geography matters.

This is actually true. I have found that on average, the northeast is one tiny step dressier at all times than the rest of the nation. For events you'd wear a polo shirt to in LA, people wear a button-down, maybe even a sport coat in NY/Boston/Philly/CT/etc.

NY is one of the fashion capitals of the world, and that affects the culture there and in the surrounding states. Chicago is also a big fashion city, as are L.A. and Miami. And even in D.C., with its international flavor and population of high salaried professionals, students care just a bit more about their appearances.

If you're in Ann Arbor, who cares what you wear? You're on your way to the library, the apartment, the gym and the "tavern/bar". But if you're at NYU...Greenwich Village...different story at least a few days a week. You will just feel compelled to dress a little nicer sometimes. And, happy hour in the big cities, which is a big part of law and b-school school culture(s), influences fashion.

Take a look at the movie Hitch, and you'll see what a NY bar on a Friday night with law students looks like. Look at will Smith's style. That's a NYU/CLS/Fordham/'Dozo law student even on a Friday afternoon. Look at Gossip Girl, cuz some students actually dress like that in NY.

[Cupidity]

For gunning (which must be the concern of someone asking how to dress in law school) don't think "formal", think "prepared".

Of course there are the obvious requirements of your gunner fashion:
1. Wheeled Backpack
2. Breifcase
3. Well supported shoes (So you don't throw your back out with the combination of 1 & 2)
4. Dress Slacks, always pleated. Not gunning if you don't have pleats.
5. Bow-tie is a must

And don't forget, acessories make the look:
1. Laptop Privacy Screen
2. Pocketwatch so you can always make sure you are 15 minutes early
3. Sports-Bandages to provide support for that right arm--should it get tired
4. Business Cards you can hand out to people you are impressing

[PDaddy]

Personally I feel like leather boots/shoes and jeans are perfect but I am a boot fiend so this is just my opinion.

It means you have some style. I like to dress. You never know who's watching. I won't be in suits unless i have an interview, but I might wear a blazer once a week (Fridays) with jeans or flat front/skinny pants.

Normally, I'll wear skinny pants/flat front pants/slacks with a boot or loafer, a nice v-neck with a shirt under it or a fitted button-down shirt, and a leather or suede jacket. At school, I like to look "dressed", but not dressed up. Even if I wear jeans, I'll put on a loafer, and a cardigan with a shirt and skinny tie to go with it. But that's my style. I will do jeans and a really nice t-shirt once in awhile...with a loafer.

[dextermorgan]

For gunning (which must be the concern of someone asking how to dress in law school) don't think "formal", think "prepared".

Of course there are the obvious requirements of your gunner fashion:
1. Wheeled Backpack
2. Breifcase
3. Well supported shoes (So you don't throw your back out with the combination of 1 & 2)
4. Dress Slacks, always pleated. Not gunning if you don't have pleats.
5. Bow-tie is a must

And don't forget, acessories make the look:
1. Laptop Privacy Screen
2. Pocketwatch so you can always make sure you are 15 minutes early
3. Sports-Bandages to provide support for that right arm--should it get tired
4. Business Cards you can hand out to people you are impressing

Dude, you forgot the $300 leather portfolio.

[PDaddy]

...and the latest blackberry, ipod and i-phone.

[Cupidity]

For gunning (which must be the concern of someone asking how to dress in law school) don't think "formal", think "prepared".

Of course there are the obvious requirements of your gunner fashion:
1. Wheeled Backpack
2. Breifcase
3. Well supported shoes (So you don't throw your back out with the combination of 1 & 2)
4. Dress Slacks, always pleated. Not gunning if you don't have pleats.
5. Bow-tie is a must

And don't forget, acessories make the look:
1. Laptop Privacy Screen
2. Pocketwatch so you can always make sure you are 15 minutes early
3. Sports-Bandages to provide support for that right arm--should it get tired
4. Business Cards you can hand out to people you are impressing

Dude, you forgot the $300 leather portfolio.

Portfolios are for plebs. Real gunners carry a 500-stack of resume's in their breifcase along with their business cards.

[rayiner]

Please no t-shirts. You're not a kid anymore --- wear something with buttons.

[T14_Scholly]

This is probably the most retarded thread I have ever seen.

[Chris_cpb]

I would say hair is relevant as well for dudes. A little gel is appreciated, but too much may appear flamboyant.

and I would say this thread is less dumb than the 'short guy' thread.

[OperaSoprano]

Please no t-shirts. You're not a kid anymore --- wear something with buttons.

<3

[Helmholtz]

simple rule - if you wouldn't wear it to the prom, don't wear it law school