I've come to realize....working in the legal work is going to get expensive....and fast.
1. There are business suits- don't get me started on how expensive those are. And suits are VERY important. Even though the firm I work with doesn't require a suit every day, you always have to wear a suit jacket when going in front of a judge, so its going to be a basic staple in your wardrobe. Plus depending on what you're going to, you'll want to be in a business suit with a skirt. Yes, the legal world is still old fashioned at times, and girls are supposed to be in skirts.
2. Then there are shoes. The last two weeks I've been wearing heels...which is a whole new thing for me. I stopped wearing heels about 4-5 years ago, when I stopped feeling the need to be taller. I'm average height, so I don't need help. Heels are essential. Comfortable heels are a must. And if you're smart you'll get ones without metal in the heel so they don't set off the courthouse metal detectors.
3. A satchel. One of those cute little bags to keep all of your belongings in when going out of the office, like court of meeting with a client.
4. Since I'm a law clerk, I really only need a portfolio to take notes and keep paperwork with me.
5. Business suit tops. I have a huge sweating problem, so cotton shirts are not an option for me unless I want sweat marks down to my waist.
As for the other necessities
6. A few pairs of pantyhose, simply because some of the older lawyers/judges feel women should still be wearing them.
7. I'm going to have to figure out something with my hair. I rock the tight bun usually, because it is the easiest. However, its getting old and when I have to be at work at 7:30, I don't want to straighten my hair for an hour. My natural wavy hair gives me a little too much of the unkempt lawyer look, which isn't what I need to be going for at this point in my life....or ever really. How all women lawyers manage to get beautiful silky straight hair is beyond me.
8. Makeup. BLECK. I have worn mascara for the last 5 weeks....which is 5 weeks longer than I've ever worn makeup. I need to start getting in a makeup routine. But I'm one of those people who just thinks "This is going to all come off in a few hours...and these people hired me without makeup....so how much are they REALLY expecting??" However, I'm still in the awkward 20s where acne is still alive and thriving...so makeup needs to become a priority in my professional life.
9. Business Jewelry. I'm more of an artsy jewelry person. I need to get some simple earrings, a simple necklace...those sorts of things that are basic staples in every working woman's waredrobe.
Those are the basics! I've started on a few (heels, skirts, tops) but the rest I still have to work on!
16 comments:
I feel your pain- I'm dreading the day when I have to give up my jeans or leggins- routine for actual lawyer-attire. I'm actually thinking about setting up a piggy-bank, so I don't completely have to rely on H&M...
Can you straighten your hair at night, pull it back in a clip or low pony, and then just touch it up in the morning? That helped me a ton when I had to leave my house by 6 am every morning last semester!
i've never had a problem finding reasonably priced suits at department store sales and places like Stein Mart.
Good luck! I agree with Casey, straightening your hair the night before seems to work really well for me too (and I have wavy hair as well!).
What about a french braid? Super easy to do and you can tuck it under for a polished look. Also a chignon looks classy and is easy with long hair.
Great choices right there. My aunt, who has been a lawyer for years, is fascinated with gold earrings and is fond of wearing those at work. That style is also ideal since gold earrings have a charm unlike any other piece of jewelry. Another accessory that would be ideal is a wristwatch, something that is simple but has a professional appeal to it. After all, time is very precious for every hardworking individual. So you won’t go wrong with having a wristwatch with you.
I'm currently a (summer) law clerk for a judge (and rising 2L) so I feel your pain! Target has some great work tops. I've found a couple and I've bought them in multiple colors! Also they have some low heels that are simple that don't have my feet crying at the end of the day! As for hairstyles pinterest has some great minute updos I totally understand the wavy hair thing. I usually straighten mine or curl it at night and then run a brush through it in the AM! Works like a charm! Good Luck!
I'm about to start law school and I'm DREADING the legal/professional wardrobe. I've been slowly collecting pieces whenever I find things on sale but it's so crazy how much things cost! I'm still lacking a professional bag because I don't have the money to buy a good looking one that happens to be practical (I'm a casual tote bag kind of girl)!
I just finished my first year at Creighton Law School, and am clerking at a firm in Omaha this summer, so I feel your pain. One tip: New York and Company. Some of their stuff is a little bright and too patterned for the conservative world of lawyering, but they have great sales and great business suits. I do all of my business attire shopping there.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Kayla- I actually just bought a bunch of stuff from NY&C this weekend!
Elizabeth- Dont worry about the bag....there are alot more things to dread about law school :)
Everyone else- THANKS SO MUCH! You guys are so wonderful!
My law school has a professional dress code EVERY DAY, so I'm used to dressing up all the time..... But it's for a purpose! Good luck with your summer activities! :)
Def try a french braid! I do variations on that and it is super fast and you can do it when your hair is still wet.
Why can't those old-fashioned fogies just retire already?
You should try Bare Minerals makeup. It is SO easy. I don't have acne, but my complexion is very ruddy. The mineral powder takes like 30 seconds to buff onto your face, and it lasts me all day. I work in the polical gov't arena, so I am in a similar boat. You want to look professional without losing your own personal style in the mix. Seriously try that makeup... I have been using it for a few years now and it has made my skin so happy! I usually pair it with a few swipes of mascara, some tinted lip gloss and a neutral cream shadow that stays on all day.
:-) Love reading your blog. I'm just a paralegal student, not heading to law, but just found blog and have been catching up. You are a great inspiration! Your simple look is one that can always be complemented by the Bare Minerals. I only wear it a few days a week, so it lasts a long time for price. It is very very light feeling makeup, it can kind of wear down as the day goes on, but i use sunblock and it kind of primes it so it lasts longer. I still use Great Lash Mascara, waterproof black or you can't see it on me anyway. Yes, its a pain to take off at night, but BM seems pretty forgiving and less hard to use for coverups of breakouts. I also love the idea of a simple set of pearls, earrings, necklace and gold, as one comment suggested. I don't mind mixing gold and silver. I insist on a watch with silver and gold so it is never an issue matching metals.
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