The Laws of Fashion

[Carlisle Blues]

This article discusses the possible imposition of a dress code for lawyers.

"Lawyers, note well: Briefs might be long, but skirts cannot be brief. Neckties must be sober, not silly."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/us/23lawyers.html?hp

Should all professions/occupations have a dress code? [huh]

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Should all professions/occupations have a dress code? [huh]

Ummmletmethinkaboutitno.

 

["Skeet" McD]

This article discusses the possible imposition of a dress code for lawyers.

"Lawyers, note well: Briefs might be long, but skirts cannot be brief. Neckties must be sober, not silly."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/us/23lawyers.html?hp

Should all professions/occupations have a dress code? [huh]

Full disclosure: I didn't follow your links, CB: so what I'm saying is purely my own thought, for better and for worse:

"Yes. But the difference between a cohesive society (and its subsets: professions, classes, every OTHER conceivable division of society) and...the reverse...is when such things need not be codified except by consensus."

This is what USED to exist; it did not exclude deviation from the norm...but it did provide a norm to deviate from: a standard by which such deviation might be judged. In other words, everything did NOT go.

Artistically, in a landscape in which irony is the norm, there can be no irony (in other words: Spike Jones' deconstruction of late 1940s pop normalcy was hilarious in its day...but would be almost impossible to recreate in today's postmodern world--Wierd Al Yankowic may be funny...but he's hardly shocking). In a world with no standards of dress...there can be little, if any, true stylishness.

Or so I think.
"Skeet"

 

[Paisley]

This article discusses the possible imposition of a dress code for lawyers.

"Lawyers, note well: Briefs might be long, but skirts cannot be brief. Neckties must be sober, not silly."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/23/us/23lawyers.html?hp

Should all professions/occupations have a dress code? [huh]

If I'm paying upwards of $200 an hour for legal services, I want someone who looks like a high-priced lawyer, not a high-priced hooker.

I've got a solution for both lawyers and law students: traditional black robes.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

If I'm paying upwards of $200 an hour for legal services, I want someone who looks like a high-priced lawyer, not a high-priced hooker.

I've got a solution for both lawyers and law students: traditional black robes.

Black robes possibly it would be more uniform in dress and manner.

I also have to take into account the economics of a law practice. As a client I am paying for my attorney to look a the part. It is part of the "dog and pony" show.

If I were an attorney, my manner of dress would include Robert Talbott ties, ( I love seven folds) French cuff shirts (Robt Talbott) etc etc. That cost is passed on to the client as is every other cost associated with running a practice. Malpractice ins, administrative costs of a law suit etc.

I am hiring brains and not a suit unless it is for a meeting with the adversary or court.

That is the way i dress anyway.

I have never had a problem with an attorney dressing down if not in court, if the attorney knew what he/she was doing to begin with.

I cannot believe that an attorney would go to Court dressed in an unbecoming manner. It does not help get the desired result, which is a win. I know in this case she did win. However, I can't help but think it detracted from her case and argument and distracted the fact finder.

 

[ortega76]

My brother is a public defender in a small town in central IL. He is new and young and has always worn at least a jacket and tie to the office and a suit on days he's scheduled for court. In the past few years, his colleagues claimed suits and even sportcoats were impossible to wear with their busy schedules. The judges were worn down to allow that the male attorneys wear only shirts and ties. Now, after six months in the public defenders' office the judges have a policy of requiring male lawyers to wear a coat and tie (with no joke ties). Apparently it's taken some time to get everyone on board. The female lawyers have just started wearing only pant suits.

Funny that some have claimed wearing a coat and tie to work is a hardship.

 

[Solid Citizen]

NO Court CASUAL

My brother is a public defender in a small town in central IL. He is new and young and has always worn at least a jacket and tie to the office and a suit on days he's scheduled for court. In the past few years, his colleagues claimed suits and even sportcoats were impossible to wear with their busy schedules. The judges were worn down to allow that the male attorneys wear only shirts and ties. Now, after six months in the public defenders' office the judges have a policy of requiring male lawyers to wear a coat and tie (with no joke ties). Apparently it's taken some time to get everyone on board. The female lawyers have just started wearing only pant suits.

Funny that some have claimed wearing a coat and tie to work is a hardship.

15+ years ago lawyers coming in for govt. consult would at least have shirt/tie sportcoat or suit on. NOW if there not in court its casual Mo. thru Fri. whether with or without a client in tow. Solid Citizen [huh]

 

[Geesie]

If you can't enter a court of law in a serious mindset with sober, respectful clothing, get the hell out. Plain and simple. There are few things more serious than the law.

 

[ortega76]

If you can't enter a court of law in a serious mindset with sober, respectful clothing, get the hell out. Plain and simple. There are few things more serious than the law.

I agree wholeheartedly. I'll even allow a well-matched, somber colored sportcoat and tie to be acceptable for most aspects of court short of a major trial.

 

[Foofoogal]

I have the best of the best. His dress is part of the package. It is why he is highly, highly successful.
Even the client should dress up for court.
------------
ok, this may not sound right. I just figure if he is able to afford nice clothes he must of won a few cases. If not either he has not or he has blown his money on wine, women and song or gambled too much.

 

[Paisley]

...or doesn't know there's a difference between "shouldn't matter" and "doesn't matter."

 

[Harp]

------------... I just figure if he is able to afford nice clothes he must of won a few cases... or he has blown his money on wine, women and song or gambled too much.

if the conjunction fits:
a gunslinger, though some sartorial style is mandatory.

 

[Foofoogal]

yep. something also along the lines of " if you cannot run with the big dogs stay on the porch."lol

 

[Carlisle Blues]

yep. something also along the lines of " if you cannot run with the big dogs stay on the porch."lol

As much as I would like to forget my humble beginnings, I do not. My first three piece suit cost $50 from the garment district in New York. I was working on Wall Street(Big Dog territory).

I was hired by an investment bank. They hired my brains and I showed in an ill fitting suit and became a flamboyant success. :eusa_clap :eusa_clap

Sometimes all you have to do is show up for life.....and do your best. The rest will follow.

 

[Foofoogal]

Like I said, It is the package you present. Humble beginnings are nothing to be ashamed of but sloppiness is. It will show.

The other day I saw the most hardworking young man I have seen in a long while. I felt like I was in a time warp. Evidently your brains and not the suit won out.

 

[Carlisle Blues]

Like I said, It is the package you present. Humble beginnings are nothing to be ashamed of but sloppiness is. It will show.

The other day I saw the most hardworking young man I have seen in a long while. I felt like I was in a time warp. Evidently your brains and not the suit won out.

It is not about shame by any means; nor was it a contest between brains or clothes. It was and still is about courage, principles and execution of duties.

If I subscribed to the:

yep. something also along the lines of " if you cannot run with the big dogs stay on the porch."lol

theory, then I suppose I would be somewhere other than where I am. I saw plenty of that attitude and still do. It is deplorable.

Clearly, you missed the point of my post. [huh]

 

[Foofoogal]

and you evidently missed the point I was trying to be gracious to you. [huh]

 

[Carlisle Blues]

and you evidently missed the point I was trying to be gracious to you. [huh]

Your assumed act of grace was very condescending. :eusa_doh:

 

[stephen1965]

One might adhere to a dress code and be very finely dressed but inwardly still be very much the 'tramp' or the 'lunatic'. I'm sure most of us could find examples of this. I'm in favour of a dress code for professions but only by concensus, as Skeet mentions. When we start imagining that a dress code should be imposed by force or that it must mean something about a person's conscience or intelligence then it is probably formatory(simplistic) thinking. Dress codes IMO are an indicator of a person's 'alchemy'.. which isn't set in stone.

 

[John in Covina]

Funny that some have claimed wearing a coat and tie to work is a hardship.

************
I think that it's a rebellion that is part of an undercurrent of today's society. In reality, if the clothes fit properly how hard can it be? I tended not to like wearing the suit and tie when I was growing up or later gaining weight as the shirt collar had a tendency to be too tight and that's no fun, but a properly fitted collar or even one a half size larger is easier on the throat, the comfort level and the blood pressure. So maybe some guys are reacting to a collar too tight memory?