Dress Code for Lawyers: How to Dress Like an Attorney

Carl

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Published August 31, 2021

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Updated May 4, 2024

Woman in Sleek Professional Look
Photo Credit: Shutterstock

The first impression means a lot to a person, and lawyers are likely to influence people’s thoughts and decisions through their outfits. Whether you are a lawyer and prepare to show up to court, meet clients, or go to the law firm, you must follow some rules regarding clothing. Your professional image has a lot to do with that.

Make sure you are dressed according to each situation, as different levels of business dress codes are expected. It can be tricky to search for different dress codes for lawyers, but that’s why we’ve created this guide for you. Here’s an overview of safe yet straightforward options for lawyers. 

Working in Law – What Not to Wear?

Typically, successful lawyers are well-dressed individuals. People need to trust them, so they need to inspire confidence and show that they can do their job correctly. First appearances aren’t always accurate, but someone looking like a mechanic and working in the law isn’t smart and presentable.

If someone is looking for a lawyer (a settlement lawyer, for example), they expect them to dress professionally. Most law firms require their lawyers to dress well in any circumstances. They have dress codes, and they expect their employees to dress accordingly. 

Here’s what not to wear:

  • Sandals
  • Big Logos
  • Wrinkled or Creased Clothes
  • Sneakers
  • Denim
  • Ill-fitting Clothes
  • Spaghetti Straps
Woman Office Suit Jacket White Shirt Standing Wall
Photo: Shutterstock.com

Dress Code for Lawyers

Instead of the awful clothing ideas above, browse professional shirts, suits, blazers, and skirts. Make sure that the suits and jackets are tailored to fit you. Buy yourself a good outfit: don’t settle for a baggy suit. If you need to see a professional tailor to achieve the right fight, do so.

The key to the dress code for attorneys is looking clean and professional. If you show up with creased clothes, no matter how nice your suit is, it will look worn in the eyes of others. Make sure your clothes are pressed and ironed, with no tiny area looking scruffy. To avoid showing up accidentally to any event without your clothes looking fresh and clean, ensure you have a few outfits ready for unexpected trials. 

Don’t Forget About the Colors of Your Clothes

As a professional lawyer, it’s essential to keep your wardrobe colors as simple as possible. It means that classic, neutral colors are the best option when it comes to dressing code. Ideal colors are medium to dark grays, navy, and black. If you’re more into lighter shades, a subtle gray is perfect. These colors are suitable for both women and men. 

Black is the safest and standard color for many professionals, but lawyers tend to avoid it. They only choose it for more formal activities in the evening, and during the day, they opt for lighter shades. Aside from these colors, brown or green might be acceptable in some law firms. But these colors can look too informal for some law firms and are best avoided. 


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