2013 Lawyer Dress Code Survey

By: WISCONSIN LAW JOURNAL STAFF//January 17, 2014//

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Fashion_suit_2 When Clifford Chance sent out its now famous “Presentation tips for women” memo in October, we decided it was time to check in with Wisconsin’s law community.

Should female associates, as the fairly sexist memo advised, “wear a jacket, not a sweater”? Is it true that, as the memo stated, “No one heard Hillary the day she showed cleavage”?

What about men, we wondered. Can a man with a ponytail be taken seriously in court? Is an earring on a man acceptable to the lead partners or a judge?

Our resulting 2013 Dress Code Survey garnered the thoughtful responses of 165 people eager to weigh in on the style debate. Ninety percent of respondents were lawyers. Twelve judges took the survey, in addition to assorted other professionals including paralegals, office managers and law librarians. All responses were anonymous.

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The results showed that Wisconsin’s legal community, particularly at the office, is fairly accepting. Small nose studs, visible tattoos and male ponytails all got the OK for the office, although the courtroom inspired more conservative views.

Many commented that as long as the elements of style, whether a high heel or male earring, were not “too distracting,” then they would fly. Particularly in the courtroom, a polished look is preferred.

The full results of the survey follow, along with selected comments submitted by respondents.

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Is this an appropriate look for an attorney …

Comments: Maybe better for a paralegal or secretary … On a casual office day, it’s acceptable. … Not sufficiently formal for court, should wear a jacket.

Are earrings on males appropriate to wear …

Comments: Depends on the office setting … No dangling, glitzy or distracting earrings.

Is this outfit appropriate to wear …

Comments: No, unless you are a TV celebrity filming a PG13 movie … a little too much cleavage … could be distracting … jury, no, judge, maybe … her jury trials would be interesting.

Is a suit with no tie appropriate to wear …

Comments: On Fridays or if it is a casual office, yes … I would always wear a tie in court but I wouldn’t take special note if someone else dressed this way in the courtroom.

Is this skirt appropriate to wear…

Comments: Maybe if she had tights or leggings on … close to the line of improper … Who could take her seriously in court like this?

Is a nose stud appropriate to have …

Comments: It may be OK but may not endear you in the eyes of senior partners … if sufficiently discreet … for a judge, yes, but I wouldn’t for a jury trial … it is a risk to your client if the judge or jury is turned off.

Is this skirt appropriate to wear …

Comments: If you don’t bend over too often … I would advise against it because it could be distracting.

Are these heels too high for …

Comments: They are a classic black pump … As long as you can walk in them without looking like you have severe scoliosis.

Which outfit is most appropriate for …

Are peep-toe shoes appropriate to wear ...

Comments: Depends on your perspective. I think it’s a little too casual, but I can see the other side. … Who looks at shoes? … Before a judge, yes, before a jury, depends on the shoe.

Are visible tattoos appropriate …

Comments: As long as they are not large, distracting or offensive in nature … I would advise against it for either situation … For a judge, yes, but a jury, no.

Are sandals appropriate to wear …

Comments: In warm weather, yes …. with a pedicure … I usually don’t but would consider it more now that I have seen judges in them … as long as they are dressy like the ones in the photo.

Is it appropriate for a man to wear his hair in a ponytail …

Comments: Don’t love the look, but if he has long hair, a ponytail is better than not … Would not blame a firm for having a dress code that says men’s hair must be shorter.