Suit: not the black one; other than that it doesn't much matter.
Shirt: Either solid or stripes (not gingham or plaid), button cuffs.
Shoes: black.
Eyewear: if you prefer glasses, wear glasses. If anything, glasses would probably be mildly preferred. Don't wear fake ones, though.

 

What did the people who interviewed you wear?

Solid white or blue shirt, conservative tie, probably your dark blue with with black shoes. Most summer associates with us show up in suits, and eventually slow it down to trousers with a shirt and tie. One kid wore a red shirt with a black tie, I'm pretty sure that alone killed his chances of being asked back.

Also, you won't get hired back for articles, you'll get hired back for work product and fitting in. Firms are all about money, show them you can pad those pockets and won't be a weirdo with clients.

 

What did the people who interviewed you wear?

Solid white or blue shirt, conservative tie, probably your dark blue with with black shoes. Most summer associates with us show up in suits, and eventually slow it down to trousers with a shirt and tie. One kid wore a red shirt with a black tie, I'm pretty sure that alone killed his chances of being asked back.

Also, you won't get hired back for articles, you'll get hired back for work product and fitting in. Firms are all about money, show them you can pad those pockets and won't be a weirdo with clients.

Thank you for the wardrobe input, it is much appreciated; I will avoid the strange shirt and tie choice that doomed the kid at your firm!

I should clarify what I meant by "hired back for my articles". In Canada, where I now live (although born and raised in Vermont), this is short-hand for "I hope that they will hire me after I graduate as an Articling Student".

 

Whatever you do do not wear the black suit. Wear the CK or the navy suit with a pale blue shirt and a dark tie. Do not wear a red tie. Do not wear brown shoes with the CK. Wear the brown shows with the navy if you like the look. If you go with a white shirt pick a lighter tie so as to avoid too much of an eye-catching contrast.

 

Why are brown shoes acceptable with the navy suit but not the grey...?

Regarding vision correction, wear whatever is most comfortable to you. In this day and age, no one is going to think less of you as a "four eyes".

 

Why are brown shoes acceptable with the navy suit but not the grey...?

They just are. That's all you need to know

But seriously it might be a US contra-Europe thing.

Over here, for those who care about sartorial elegance, black or brown shoes
can be worn with navy suits.

However, black shoes are ALWAYS worn with grey suits.

The only people you will see in Europe wearing brown shoes with grey trousers and grey suits as a regular thing were born no later than the 1930s, or they are people who simply don't care what they look like or what they wear.

 

Since when? I've seen plenty of Europeans wearing brown shoes with grey. They look fine. That's a rather arbitrary and frankly baseless "rule".

 

I'm pretty sure black or burgundy shoes with a gray suit is a very standard rule for dressing conservatively. You're free to dress how you choose and indeed I'm wearing Chili bluchers with a solid navy suit today, but this kid needs to fit in to his environment and, at least next week, play it safe and do absolutely nothing to draw negative attention to himself.

I do a lot of work with two law firms that are 100+ attorneys and the dress is very consistent throughout. Frankly, as a lowly peon summer associate, save the lighter brown shoes for Friday. The espresso shoes will be okay with just about everything but the black suit (which you shouldn't wear anyway), but wearing the lighter shoes with a dark suit will make you stand out as "that fashion-forward/foppish guy," something you absolutely don't want at this point.

 

As an attorney who sees several clerks/interns come through my office, a suit, shirt and tie will get my attention. Regardless of the fact we are a 'business casual firm. Dressing well says a lot about your intentions and respect for the profession. However, if you were Kiton when I wear Canali, that we get you noticed but not in a good way.

No one in the firms expects a clerk/intern to have a cache of really nice clothing, it all about the effort.

Good Luck, jtb

 

Also, you won't get hired back for articles, you'll get hired back for work product and fitting in.

"Articling" is a thing in Canada. Nothing to do with publishing articles.

 

If you go with a white shirt pick a lighter tie so as to avoid too much of an eye-catching contrast.

... unless you are a 'winter'; if you are, contrast is what you'll need.

 

Thanks for all the input guys.

A few people have said not to wear the black suit with brown pinstripes. What is the problem with this suit? It is quite sharp looking in my opinion.

 

Black suits are traditionally not considered business wear. Opinion may differ on this, but it's highly likely that at least one (and probably more) people you come into contact with will have that reaction.

 

... unless you are a 'winter'

I have no idea what that means.

 

Since when? I've seen plenty of Europeans wearing brown shoes with grey. They look fine.

If you say so.

 

Lots of good advice already. Here are my thoughts as a partner in a law firm:

When a summer associate comes to work, I am first interested in whether their work (research, analysis, writing, and spoken communication). I want to know whether they will be capable (in an absolute can-he/she-do-it-or-not) of doing the work that we do. Is he/she smart enough?

Next, I want to know whether they will be willing to do the kind of work that we do, in the kind of quantity that is needed. Summer recruiting time is mostly sweetness and light. Day to day practice is closer to trench warfare. While nobody expects a summer associate to grind out 200 hours a month during the summer, it's not a bad thing to see them stay late to finish a project on time. Leaving early to attend a social function when the project due the next day is not ready? Bad. Really bad.

Then, I want to know whether they will be willing to put their clients' interests (and the firm's) ahead of their own. This is somewhat related to the prior issue, but it has other aspects. Sometimes, we have to sublimate part of our personality in the interest of protecting or catering to our clients. I have a particular personal writing style. Sometimes I have to alter it because of the court that I'm appearing before. Does that hurt? A little. But it's what the client needs, so I do it. I have certain political views. Sometimes I have to keep those quiet, or even express sympathy for a contrary view (without lying, of course), in order to cater to the client's preferences. Does that hurt? A little. But it's what the firm needs, so I do it. I do have a social and family life, and not infrequently have weekend plans. Sometimes I have to abandon those because of some exigency (real or perceived). Does that hurt? A little, and sometimes a lot. But it's what clients, firms, and courts need, so I do it.

And this factor is where clothing first enters into the question. Your firm, your clients, and your courts will have certain norms and expectations of how to dress. Those norms may be less hip or fashion forward than some young lawyers personally prefer. If they are smart, those young lawyers will bend their preferences to suit the desires of the firm, clients, and courts. Not so much because clothing is directly important, but because it demonstrates a willingness to be a part of the team. If you play a team sport, and show up for a game out of uniform because your think the colors are unflattering, you are a bad teammate. If you come to the firm dressed in overtly-sexual, fashion-forward clothing (even if it nominally complies with dress codes by being a suit), that sends a bad signal.

The next factor is whether the summer associate has a demeanor that will "play" with clients. This is one where a bit of projection (in the professional sports scouting sense) is required. Relatively few summer associates are socially polished and professionally confident enough to be ready for prime time with clients from day one. But you have to see that they are coach-able in that direction. Coming in dressed like a rube, or a jersey boy, or some other stereotype sends a bad signal in this department.

Finally, the last major factor, I think, is whether the summer associate will be enjoyable to work with over the long haul. Firms place varying degrees of importance on this - some are looking for kindred spirits, others are looking only for a "not an a$$hole" level of fit. Clothing can play a small role here, and this is the first factor where a bit of creativity or style in your clothes can be favorable - but only if the firm values style and creativity!

Some final thoughts: Remember that the practice of law is a profession that values seriousness. Being older is an advantage, youth is a disadvantage. Young people are used to the goal of "dressing up" to be attractive to the opposite sex. That's irrelevant in the practice of law. You dress up to be dignified. Nobody expects summer associates to have a bunch of first-rate clothes. They expect them to dress in uniform, in a way that doesn't look as though they've never worn a suit before, and in a way that does not detract from whatever air of seriousness a 23 or 27 year old can have. You don't have to dress as, nor be, a stick in the mud, but take care of business first. Within a couple of weeks, you'll have a good idea of how far out on a limb you can go (in terms of dress, jokes, demeanor, hours, etc.).

Over time (and I mean years) you can bank enough trust and confidence that many of the restrictions on dress fade away (at least when you're in the office with no judges or clients). But as a summer associate, you have earned nothing.

 

What did the people who interviewed you wear?

Solid white or blue shirt, conservative tie, probably your dark blue with with black shoes. Most summer associates with us show up in suits, and eventually slow it down to trousers with a shirt and tie. One kid wore a red shirt with a black tie, I'm pretty sure that alone killed his chances of being asked back.

Also, you won't get hired back for articles, you'll get hired back for work product and fitting in. Firms are all about money, show them you can pad those pockets and won't be a weirdo with clients.

I agree with this one.

 

Thank you for the wardrobe input, it is much appreciated; I will avoid the strange shirt and tie choice that doomed the kid at your firm!

I should clarify what I meant by "hired back for my articles". In Canada, where I now live (although born and raised in Vermont), this is short-hand for "I hope that they will hire me after I graduate as an Articling Student".

Good luck. Most importantly get clothes that fit and cared for. Of course the standard blue/grays but what is key is not getting a suit that is too big, pants that are too long, or shoes that are unpolished.

 

One other thought that's actually a direct response. Whenever I wonder what to wear for a business day, my default is: grey suit, white shirt, navy tie (often with a white pattern, such as pindots), black shoes. There is just about no way to go wrong with that if things fit even halfway. Add a stripe to the shirt, and/or brown shoes to take the formality down one peg and the creativity up one.

 

Lots of good advice already. Here are my thoughts as a partner in a law firm:

When a summer associate comes to work, I am first interested in whether their work (research, analysis, writing, and spoken communication). I want to know whether they will be capable (in an absolute can-he/she-do-it-or-not) of doing the work that we do. Is he/she smart enough?

Next, I want to know whether they will be willing to do the kind of work that we do, in the kind of quantity that is needed. Summer recruiting time is mostly sweetness and light. Day to day practice is closer to trench warfare. While nobody expects a summer associate to grind out 200 hours a month during the summer, it's not a bad thing to see them stay late to finish a project on time. Leaving early to attend a social function when the project due the next day is not ready? Bad. Really bad.

Then, I want to know whether they will be willing to put their clients' interests (and the firm's) ahead of their own. This is somewhat related to the prior issue, but it has other aspects. Sometimes, we have to sublimate part of our personality in the interest of protecting or catering to our clients. I have a particular personal writing style. Sometimes I have to alter it because of the court that I'm appearing before. Does that hurt? A little. But it's what the client needs, so I do it. I have certain political views. Sometimes I have to keep those quiet, or even express sympathy for a contrary view (without lying, of course), in order to cater to the client's preferences. Does that hurt? A little. But it's what the firm needs, so I do it. I do have a social and family life, and not infrequently have weekend plans. Sometimes I have to abandon those because of some exigency (real or perceived). Does that hurt? A little, and sometimes a lot. But it's what clients, firms, and courts need, so do it.

And this factor is where clothing first enters into the question. Your firm, your clients, and your courts will have certain norms and expectations of how to dress. Those norms may be less hip or fashion forward than some young lawyers personally prefer. If they are smart, those young lawyers will bend their preferences to suit the desires of the firm, clients, and courts. Not so much because clothing is directly important, but because it demonstrates a willingness to be a part of the team. If you play a team sport, and show up for a game out of uniform because your think the colors are unflattering, you are a bad teammate. If you come to the firm dressed in overtly-sexual, fashion-forward clothing (even if it nominally complies with dress codes by being a suit), that sends a bad signal.

The next factor is whether the summer associate has a demeanor that will "play" with clients. This is one where a bit of projection (in the professional sports scouting sense) is required. Relatively few summer associates are socially polished and professionally confident enough to be ready for prime time with clients from day one. But you have to see that they are coach-able in that direction. Coming in dressed like a rube, or a jersey boy, or some other stereotype sends a bad signal in this department.

Finally, the last major factor, I think, is whether the summer associate will be enjoyable to work with over the long haul. Firms place varying degrees of importance on this - some are looking for kindred spirits, others are looking only for a "not an a$$hole" level of fit. Clothing can play a small role here, and this is the first factor where a bit of creativity or style in your clothes can be favorable - but only if the firm values style and creativity!

Some final thoughts: Remember that the practice of law is a profession that values seriousness. Being older is an advantage, youth is a disadvantage. Young people are used to the goal of "dressing up" to be attractive to the opposite sex. That's irrelevant in the practice of law. You dress up to be dignified. Nobody expects summer associates to have a bunch of first-rate clothes. They expect them to dress in uniform, in a way that doesn't look as though they've never worn a suit before, and in a way that does not detract from whatever air of seriousness a 23 or 27 year old can have. You don't have to dress as, nor be, a stick in the mud, but take care of business first. Within a couple of weeks, you'll have a good idea of how far out on a limb you can go (in terms of dress, jokes, demeanor, hours, etc.).

Over time (and I mean years) you can bank enough trust and confidence that many of the restrictions on dress fade away (at least when you're in the office with no judges or clients). But as a summer associate, you have earned nothing.

Essentially, law firms have some similarities to pyramid schemes.

 

Certainly many of them (and essentially all of the large ones) have a pyramid shape, with many at the bottom, some in the middle, and fewer on top. This is a pretty well-documented and -understood phenomenon in the legal world. The shape only becomes a scheme, IMO, when those at the bottom have no prospect of climbing to the top. Even then, it's a pretty extraordinary pyramid scheme that pays even the lowest layers six-figure salaries, so don't feel too bad for them!

 

Over time (and I mean years) you can bank enough trust and confidence that many of the restrictions on dress fade away (at least when you're in the office with no judges or clients). But as a summer associate, you have earned nothing.

Ha, reminds me of a particular MP that I know. Been in the game for several decades, rarely, if ever, goes to court anymore, pulls in just over $850k. His standard is one of many bespoke tweed Norfolk-style jackets, khaki gabs, gucci loafers with no socks, and an open collar. One of the most well regarded guys in town, too.

Certainly many of them (and essentially all of the large ones) have a pyramid shape, with many at the bottom, some in the middle, and fewer on top. This is a pretty well-documented and -understood phenomenon in the legal world. The shape only becomes a scheme, IMO, when those at the bottom have no prospect of climbing to the top. Even then, it's a pretty extraordinary pyramid scheme that pays even the lowest layers six-figure salaries, so don't feel too bad for them!

Six figures is getting harder and harder to come by for new JD's, especially anyone outside of the top 25% and/or top 40% of T14's.

 

Schools, and not just law schools, would do their students a great service were they to hand out copies of Cuff's response to everyone embarking upon an internship. I hope the OP understands that to assist him, a total stranger, Cuff gave up billable time and went to some effort to organize, write, and edit a concise cogent primer, on internship in the real world. (Of course if he just typed out his response without need for prior organization or subsequent editing he is of a different species from the rest of us.) By the way, Cuff, if there is an opening at the bottom layer of your pyramid please let me know, I can make coffee, sort mail, and will wear whatever you say.

 

Six figures is getting harder and harder to come by for new JD's, especially anyone outside of the top 25% and/or top 40% of T14's.

Yeah, but those who don't fit that profile don't generally get into the "pyramid scheme" firms anyway. They'll go be ambulance chasers and end up waving to the big firm partners from the window of their Gulfstream IV's.

 

Thanks to everyone for the advice; as with everything in life, I will take some and leave the rest.

Thanks also for the insight from those in the profession.

I will be wearing:

My Navy suit, with black oxfords, a light-blue pinpoint shirt, with a conservative two tone tie.