As you may know, dear readers, Style Counsel hates wearing suits. I know, I know — I’m a traitor to my profession. There’s no question that suits look good — they definitely convey that “I’m a competent lawyer” vibe — but they just don’t feel right to me. Luckily, we have plenty of options at our disposal. Can’t think of what else to wear this morning? Let me help you get creative without losing that professional edge!
Strategic separates
It takes work to learn how to combine skirts, tops and pants in a way that hits the right balance between “proper” and stylish. The key is to choose one piece that you can build around. Take, for example, a tweedy pastel pencil skirt (I’ve still got a fab one from Club Monaco’s 2006 Spring/Summer line). Paired with a crisp white button down or a cream silk blouse and turquoise kitten heels, you’ve got a feminine and tailored look that works in hot weather. Toss on a linen or lightweight wool blazer in a neutral colour, and you can commandeer that board meeting while you’re at it. Trade the heels for flats and throw on a ¾-length sleeve cardigan and you have yet another new work-appropriate outfit. If you’re more of a pants girl, experiment with a skinny or cropped silhouette, or choose a printed pair if you’re really feeling saucy. You can go feminine with a ruffled blouse and cropped jacket, or masculine with a plain knit top over a collared shirt and loafer-style flats. See? So many options! Get inspired here and here.
The dress
Call me old-fashioned, but I just love dresses. Sheaths, wrap dresses, shirt dresses, silk numbers…they are all so dependable, versatile and easy to wear. Oh, and did I mention they are way more comfortable than any suit?? Just add a cardigan or any type of jacket and you’re good to go. For these steamy summer months, you can’t go wrong with a crisp, classic shirt dress in a nice pale blue or green (pair with nude flats or pumps), a polka-dot number (try this A-line dress from Talbots — ladies, this is not your grandmother’s dress) or a floaty frock in a large print. The key to wearing dresses is to understand your body shape and select a style that accentuates your positives, whatever they are. Straight body types look best in clothes that cinch at the waist to give the illusion of curves, while curvier figures benefit from A-line skirts and, if you’re pear-shaped, detailing on the top to create balance. If you’re blessed with an hourglass bod, I love to see you in a form-fitting sheath. It’s all about proportion and equilibrium. So choose your dress, select a complementary topper and take your beautiful self to work.
Other than the obvious fact that suits are the lawyer’s traditional uniform — and, of course, the fact that some workplaces frown upon anything that isn’t conservative and conformist — I think people gravitate towards suits because they are easy. Who has time to spend an hour putting together an outfit in the morning? But if you enjoy fashion and just need some encouragement, you may get a lot of pleasure from stepping out of that comfort zone. Think about proportion and colour. Balance the fun with the conservative, and focus on what you really like and what feels comfortable to you, while always keeping in mind the context and the impact you want to have on your audience (lunch with hip young technology client vs. presenting to the managing partner on a new initiative). And if you’re sitting there thinking, what is it with this girl and her hatred of suits — then get thee to your closet and wear your suit with pride. After all, I respect any woman’s right to choose!
Emma Williamson is a fashion-obsessed corporate commercial lawyer at Dentons. 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. Follow her on Twitter: @EmmaWorkStyle. Have questions or a column idea for Emma? Send them here.
Image: Tom Young via iStockphoto