This month we take a break from other legal news to provide insight into a recent poll taken by Virginia Lawyers Weekly on Dress Codes.
You may work for an employer with a very strict and specific dress code or you may work for an employer with no written code. Of the people responding to the Virginia Lawyers Weekly survey, sixty percent [60%] confirmed that their firm had no written code but many thought that their were certainly unspoken expectations for how attorneys should dress.
Not Acceptable for Either Men or Women
Nose RingsVisible Tattoos
Not Acceptable for Men
Unshaven or stubbly lookLack of a tie in court
Encouraged for Men
Long Sleeve ShirtsTies in court and when meeting with clients
Not Acceptable for Women
Short SkirtsCleavage and plunging necklines
Encouraged for Women
High heels of an appropriate height, conservative color and closed toePantyhose with skirts and dresses
Not Even Discussed
Jeans and ShortsObjectionable Jewelry
Political Statements
Flip-flops
T-Shirts
Makeup
Hair styles and colors
Summary
A law firm should have a clear policy on appropriate dress for attorneys and other staff members.
The policy might take into account the type of clients the firm serves as well as the likelihood that an attorney will be called upon to appear in court during the day.
And I would pose one further question for an attorney to ask themselves regarding any questionable fashion - Would you hire you as an attorney if you were wearing ____________?