Fashion advice for young lawyers

Getting a job on Bay Street is hard. Dressing for that job is even harder. To get some insight into how to do it well, Precedent sat down with three smartly dressed lawyers and demanded they give up the goods. 

Emma Williamson: You need to play it safe at the beginning of your career, recognizing the impact your dress will have on how you’re perceived. Your coworkers have little else to go on but that first impression.

Choose conservative pieces: sheath dresses with jackets, shoes in pristine condition, simple jewelry and accessories. For skirts, go with knee-length or slightly above the knee. Always wear a cardigan or jacket if you’re meeting with clients or if you’re wearing a sleeveless top. To make daring fashion choices when you’re just starting out takes the focus off your talent as a lawyer during that precarious time when you’re trying to stake out space and build your identity at the firm. Once you’ve proven yourself to be bright, capable and hard-working, then you can experiment with fashion within your comfort zone (and that of your workplace). 

On my first day of articling, I wore a black suit and a white collared shirt, with black pumps and a pearl necklace and earrings. Can you say cater-waiter? But it was a safe, conservative and classic outfit. I may have played it a little too safe, but that’s how I dressed as an articling student and during my first year as an associate. As I became more comfortable in the workplace and built a reputation with my colleagues, I felt okay branching out a little. I stopped wearing a suit every day, traded collared shirts for blouses and wore more colour. As the years went by, I took more fashion risks: I tried silk dresses, patterned tights and statement necklaces.

I felt confident that my colleagues knew I produced great work and that I was good with clients, so even if they didn’t like my green jacket or bright dress, at least my style wouldn’t damage my professional reputation. And now, I get to wear outfits to work that don’t make me look like a lawyer from a Getty Images stock photo! 




Gentlemen

• Well-kept facial hair is fine. Just no soul patch. Ever
• When the collars or cuffs start to wear, toss the shirt
• Skip the bow tie

Ladies

• Always have a blazer hanging on your door (or cubicle wall)
• If you’re going to wear red lipstick, the rest of your makeup should be subtle
• If you’re not interested in fashion, don’t pretend to be. Stick to classic pieces

Everyone

• If you want to play it safe, don’t wear jeans in your articling year. Not even on Friday
• A little colour goes a long way. Try not to overdo it
• Always err on the side of over- dressed. That way, you’re ready for anything 

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