Summer is a hectic time for young lawyers. We’re balancing work with weddings, showers and (hopefully) cottage weekends, while attempting to maintain a professional appearance amid wild swings in temperature. We spend our days alternating between cold offices and sweltering heat and humidity, while traipsing through the rain to get to meetings (rain boots in 30 degree weather = ugh). Personally, I just love getting to the office already sweaty and flustered, trying to cool down while some partner tries to talk to me about a purchase agreement. (No problem; let me just take a shower first. Oh, incidentally, do you happen to have any snow pants on hand? It’s an ice cold minus 20 in here.)
The young female lawyer needs tips that will take her from hot to cold, from work to patio, and from casual Friday to girls’ night out. With that in mind, here are my tips for navigating the most wonderful and yet trickiest of seasons.
Cotton is your friend. Cotton and cotton blends = yes. Silk = no. I’m a big silk lover, but let’s be honest — silk and heat don’t mix. Choosing summery, breathable fabrics will keep you cool and comfortable all season long. Some options that won’t break the bank: short-sleeved cotton blouses, belted cotton dresses in minimalist shapes and cotton (are you sensing a theme here?) cardigans in bright colours. Pair these pieces with pointy-toe flats and a structured bag, and you’ve got professionalism and comfort in one tidy package.
Be strategic. Whether you’re speed-walking to make that morning meeting, fighting road rage or trying not to smell the armpit of the dude crammed beside you on the subway, you want to keep it light. There’s no need to look like a lawyer on your way to work. You have all day for that! Wear comfortable flats or sandals, keep your hair up or back in a hairband, and keep your jacket or cardigan in your bag until you get to work. Better yet, keep a number of jackets in your office or cubicle. See? More closet space to fill with more clothes! When you arrive at work and the A/C is cranked on high, just let down your hair, put on that jacket and don some hose. (Whether you love or hate pantyhose, they’re a lifesaver in overly air-conditioned offices, and they help cover up pasty Scottish skin like mine. Bonus!)
Be selective. Choose pieces that are multi-purpose and can work for a variety of summer shindigs and temperatures. If your job absolutely requires that you wear a suit, pick up a suit or two in lighter colours (pale grey, taupe), and pair with a short-sleeved cotton blouse. When you head out to a patio after work, just remove the suit jacket, add a statement cuff and some patterned flats, and presto – you no longer look like the one lawyer in a patio full of carefree girls in sundresses. Wear floral print dresses that are conservative enough for work (with the appropriate jacket or sweater), but can be dressed down in the evening with flip flops and a cropped denim jacket. If you’re lucky enough to have casual Fridays, try dark jeans, a blouse and a cardigan, and if you’re heading straight from work to meet friends for girls’ night out, all it takes is a pair of awesome heels, a cross-body bag and a silky tank top and you’re good to go.
Enjo
y yourself! It’s hard, but I generally try to avoid darker colours in the summer (sometimes, I really branch out and put my black tights on hiatus). And I hope all of us will venture out of our neutral zones and try some colour — this season, the stores are packed with tons of colour options. Experiment with fabric, texture and colour; pick a few key summer trends and work them into your basics (more to come on this in my next column). Canadian summers are short, and you might as well enjoy what the fashion world has to offer. Another great thing about summer options is they’re typically cheaper, and you can get a lot more for your money. So give yourself a budget and hit the shops — on rainy days only, of course!
Photo by Lee J Haywood
Emma Williamson is a fashion-obsessed corporate commercial lawyer at FMC. Her mission is to inspire Precedent’s female readers to break out of a style rut while obeying obvious and not-so-obvious workplace dress codes. Have questions or a column idea for Emma? Send them to tips@lawandstyle.beta-site.ca.