<p>Low ponytail…something discreet. You want the focus on your eyes and face, not your hair. The main thing, I think, is to walk in looking enough like other people that they don’t think ‘What’s <em>that</em> about?’ but with a sense of your own personality so that you aren’t a lawyer-clone-drone. Fit says more about class and $$$ than all the big logos in the world, so if you need to have a little tailoring done to make the pants the right length or the jacket hang right or the sleeves taken up, do it. It’s an investment that repays you, esp. if, like me, you’re a regular misses…almost. </p>
<p>You’ll notice Ann Coulter always wears that (or an identical) little black dress. She does not dress as an attorney on tv because she’s there to sell books, not her services.</p>
<p>Yea, when I’m in cold, I ONLY wear slacks, as long as they fit properly–not TOO tight but fitted and in great fabric. Being frozen never makes a good impression & makes no sense to me. In HI, that problem doesn’t occur often.</p>
<p>" I wasn’t interviewing at law firms but rather at corporations who were business casual. I think a skirt and jacket or pants/jacket is fine. I wouldn’t worry about peep-toes. It’s fine. The line has blurred a lot."</p>
<p>I agree. I wouldn’t worry about peep-toes either. And don’t be afraid to have something interesting (pin, scarf, earrings, etc.) that show personal style.</p>
<p>oldfort, that is true, I had trouble finding closed-toe dress shoes this year! Jumping through the downtown puddles in peep-toe shoes is not fun! And what’s up with the peep-toe tall boots (I think they are called “shooties”)?</p>
<p>“they will likely be better dressed than the partners with whom they are interviewing.”</p>
<p>And so they should be. Partners with portable business can wear and do whatever they want. Applicants can’t.</p>
<p>Put it this way: let’s say for the sake of argument that only 10% of law firm partners would cut an applicant for not wearing a suit to the interview. You don’t know where those partners are or whether you’re going to meet them at the callback. Why would you risk it?</p>
<p>They still sell closed toe shoes at the “Walking Company,” and Macy’s also has several. Personally, I don’t see the appeal of other types of shoes in cold, wet weather.</p>
<p>Hanna - I know which clients prefer suits and I would advise those applicants to wear them there. If I have a client that specifically tells me to tell the applicant to wear business casual, then I pass that along too. They really don’t want the candidates to have to duck into a bathroom someplace to change into a suit. Some of these firms have taken business casual to an art. They have brought in fashion consultants from designers to show associates what business casual looks like. I work with one small firm in which everyone wears jeans. They would cut someone who wore a suit so I have to convince applicants who go there to dress casually - not jeans - but khakis, slacks, etc. The key is to know the culture of the firm and there is no “one size fits all.”</p>
<p>Have a bit of good news. My SIL just got an offer as an administrative assistant to a senior law partner. She has never worked since she married my brother 20 years ago, even though she has a degree from Barnard. They offered her 75000 to start. We are so excited for her because we didn’t think she would be able to get her first job in this economic environment, and getting such a good offer. She found the job listing on the Craiglist.</p>
<p>Wow, oldfort! That’s good news for your SIL!</p>
<p>Thanks again for all the really helpful advice!! I ended up wearing pinstriped, wide-legged pants, black pumps, soft, grey, fitted blazer (from one of my old, ‘expensive’ suits!), black tank & my hair down. </p>
<p>What I learned: if it’s cold—wear a scarf & gloves! I had a (stylish) hat but froze walking from the parking area to the office building. Plus, it’s colder in a big city w/all the buildings!</p>
<p>Recruiter was very positive (who knows what that means, though!). In fact, he started asking me if I wanted to be involved in the management of some start-up business that he’s developing (outside of recruiting). I’m thinking: “What the? I thought I was attny, not a manager?” I guess it was a positive reaction, though…</p>
<p>A gf who is a lawyer the next town over said that, locally, ladies wear pants suits these days, even to court. </p>
<p>I think if I were interviewing for a huge firm (maybe like Hanna & some of cartera’s clients?) then I’d definitely do dark suit. There’s much more variability, these days, it seems. Which is fine w/me—I had enough years of pearls & pantyhose!! (though, for the right price, I could go back! lol). </p>
<p>Glad to see it was a positive experience. You never know what might come out of an interview - that’s why people just need to get out there when they can. I became a recruiter because I went to a recruiter in an effort to find a position with a smaller firm. Instead, she asked me if I would consider joining her. I thought about it for a week and did it and I have never looked back - well, I might be looking back a little now because none of my clients are hiring.</p>
<p>Jolynne, I’m happy to hear that it went well. Your law background can be very advantageous in “management” type positions! The CEO of one of my former companies had a JD, and I also know several IP attorneys who worked in some sort of business development positions at small and larger biotech companies.</p>
<p>Oldfort - yay! Good to hear that silver (hair) is a commodity in demand.</p>
<p>I’ve been a lawyer at two different New York City law firms, since 1979. So, although I can’t speak for what’s usual for New Jersey (even though I live there!), I’m pretty familiar with how women lawyers dress in New York. I have to say that I <em>never</em> see women lawyers wearing open-toed shoes here, except in the summertime. (Boots in the winter are unusual, too – people might wear boots to and from the office, but they change when they get there.) And even in the summer, it’s rare to see someone appearing in court, or at a deposition, in anything but closed shoes, with hose. In the winter, tights or dark-colored hose are OK. </p>
<p>I haven’t worn a suit every day for years. Business casual has been the norm for a long time. But I still wear one when I’m appearing in court, or meeting with a client, or attending a deposition, etc. And it’s certainly the safest choice to do the same for an interview. I don’t think it makes a difference as to whether you wear pants or a skirt, though. On a cold day, you don’t see too many women lawyers wearing skirts, although I do once in a while. I also don’t think it makes any difference whether the suit is light or dark, either. And I haven’t seen a woman with one of those little bows for about 20 years! </p>
<p>My favorite time of year is the summer, when I can come to work barelegged, wearing sandals, on days when I’m not meeting with anyone out of the office. (If I’m wearing a sleeveless dress, I always have a sweater over it – the rule is, no visible armpits at the office!) I do always feel kind of sorry in hot weather for all the male lawyers with their long-sleeved button-down shirts and long pants, with socks and shoes!</p>
<p>I have not read through all the posts but I’ll thrown in my two cents.</p>
<p>Early on you asked about a not expensive handbag. To me, if going for a high end job, women should have a high end handbag and briefcase. If you put together clothes well, you can often get away with inexpensive pieces, but you carry those bags daily and folks notice. It’s kind of the dress for the next job you want (your bosses) thinking.</p>
<p>As a new ebay fan, you can get phenomenal buys on great, slightly used bags and briefcases there. I would invest in those 2 items above all. Nothing with loud logos, but a nice Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Prada (leather) or similar quality bag will really dress you up.</p>
<p>Interesting how you ended up as a recruiter, cartera! Bunsen–thank you! VHappy–good luck in your search too!! DonnaL, I’m glad to hear the NYC female lawyer perspective. Looks like I may have to spring for a matching pantsuit (instead of black dress pants, a black tank and one of the blazers [burgundy or grey] from my old suits).</p>
<p>hmom5…sigh…I have never owned an expensive handbag in my life…guess I may have to spring, eventually. Do people usually carry lap-top bags rather than more traditional briefcases, now? Those looked cool to me–sleeker and less cumbersome than the multipart briefcase I used to haul around. Thanks for the starting list of names…agree, ebay is awesome & I’ll have to eventually check them out.</p>
<p>Again–thanks for the great advice! Recruiter was a casual environment, but (crossing fingers) if I do a law firm interview, I’ll be prepared w/matching pantsuit and a nicer bag (confession on current purse–it’s nice, black w/subtle contrast stitching, but I got it on markdown for $4.50! Guess that won’t cut it…lol).</p>
<p>I think whatever works for what you have to carry, Jolynne. I always carry an 8 inch laptop that can fit in most of my handbags.</p>
<p>I kept wondering how my junior staff was buying ultra high end handbags and briefcases that I thought were too expensive (of course they’re not putting 3 kids through college) until one admitted the ebay secret! She had a $3000 plus briefcase she got for $400. You need to just browse for awhile until you get the hang of it and you’ll start to see some amazing bargains. Be careful, it’s addictive! Amazing designer clothes there too.</p>
<p>Carrying a designer bag can be a lose/lose proposition. Interviewing for some positions carrying a Prada bag will not situate you well in salary negotiations - I was actually told that by someone in human resources during a salary negotiation. The flip side is the assumption that the bag is a knock off - not a great image for a lawyer either.</p>
<p>My guess, from everything I’ve read, is that 90% of the high-end designer handbags sold on ebay at “great prices” are fakes. Same with things like Diane von Furstenberg wrap dresses. (A good hint is if the seller is in China – I think those are all fakes.)</p>
<p>My everyday handbag is a perfectly nice Liz Claiborne bag that’s big enough to hold a ton of stuff without looking like I’m carrying a suitcase! I spent about $150 on it, and that’s the most I’ve ever spent on a handbag in my entire life! I’d love a Coach bag, but I’m sorry, I’m not spending $400+ on a bag.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t worry about it. I don’t even notice the brand of women’s handbags for the most part, and I can guarantee you that 99% of male lawyers will have no idea, and won’t even be able to describe your bag within 30 seconds of your departure.</p>