Insights spoke to McDougall on what lawyers should keep in mind when dressing for court, an admission ceremony, an interview, or general office wear.
“The legal profession is conservative and follows tradition; Judges and Barristers have dress codes to abide by, and whilst there are no rules about what a solicitor should wear, it is safe to say young lawyers will be taken more seriously if they dress in a professional manner from the outset of their career,” advised McDougall. “Whilst I acknowledge that young lawyers should be offered jobs based on skills rather than appearance, it is important to recognise that dressing professionally shows respect for yourself, the company and clients.”
Dressing for an Interview
“Interviews can be difficult to dress for as every workplace has different dress standards,” McDougall acknowledged. “First impressions are important and what you wear may impact on how you are perceived. It is important to keep in mind that the interviewer may be conservative. For that reason, I always recommend over-dressing rather than under-dressing for the occasion. You will not be criticised for overdressing for an interview at a law firm! As a rule of thumb, if you are uncertain about an outfit, then it is probably not suitable.”
“For women, you cannot go wrong with a skirt or pant suit paired with a simple white shirt or blouse. You should always wear a blazer and try and keep accessories to a minimum,” said McDougall. “It is important that hemlines are knee length and if you want to wear a bit of colour, I recommend colours such as green, blue or pastel tones – definitely nothing too bright! Additionally, I always take a handbag to fit a copy of my resume and notepad.”
“For men, it seems obvious, but a tie is absolutely necessary and the top button should always be done up,” McDougall said. “It is important that your suit fits well. If it is cooler weather, a plain coloured knit under your blazer looks professional and provides extra wamth. Ensure that shoes are polished.”
For her first interview, McDougall wore a black dress, black blazer and heels. “You want the interviewer to remember your talent and skills rather than what you wore.”
Dressing for the office
Be mindful of the office dress code, advised McDougall.
“Once you get to know your boss and colleagues, you can dress according to the standard in your workplace. However, you should never dress more casual than your boss, even if it is a Friday!”
On casual Fridays, McDougall advised always keeping a spare suit handy, in case an unexpected client meeting or Court appearance. “I also have a pair of comfortable flats in case I need to go somewhere in a hurry,” she said.
For the office, McDougall advocates the well-tailored suit. “Outfits that are too tight look unprofessional. It’s worth spending a bit of money having an outfit tailored to fit your body shape.”
Adding a bit of personality can be a challenge for men’s outfits. McDougall suggests trying a check shirt or patterned tie – though not both at once. “I generally suggest plain shirts for days in Court; you can add some variety to your outfit in the office.”
Dressing for Admission/Court
“I recommend darker coloured suits such as grey, black, navy, or subtle patterns,” said McDougall. “The Courtroom is definitely not the place to wear bright colours, bold prints, lace or sheer outfits.”
For women, hemlines should be at least knee-length, advised McDougall. “Try to avoid lower cut blouses. At my admission ceremony, I wore a dark green dress with black blazer, sheer black stockings and heels. I suggest closed in shoes, which are comfortable to walk in. If you do not like high heels, try some lower heels or patent leather flats for a dressier look. Closed in block heels are my personal favourite – they look professional and are easy to walk around in all day. Stockings should be neutral, opaque black or sheer black – try and avoid patterned or fishnets.”
For men, well-tailored suits are essential. “I recommend a simple patterned tie and plain shirt, such as blue, grey or white. It seems obvious, but make sure your outfit is clean and pressed. Nothing looks worse than food stains or a crushed shirt.”