Ahhh late spring. Days are longer, brighter and warmer, with summer just around the corner. Maybe you’ve left your coat at home a few days in a row, walking to work or hopping on the subway in your blazer. Maybe you’ve just booked your first weekend trip to a friend’s cottage, or decided where to go for summer vacation.
And if you’re anything like me, readers, you’re making a list of summer clothes to purchase — not that you’re going to have many places to wear them, with all the days you spend in the office!
Sigh. Reality check. When it comes to summer clothes, what’s a young lawyer to do when she spends her days in a sea of conference calls and paper? The answer is simple. Why spend money on clothes that end up being worn twice, when you can save oodles of money just buying summer accessories?
An often-forgotten aspect of style, accessories can change the look of that black dress and make your grey pinstriped suit wearable five days a week without anyone being the wiser.
Here are three types of accessories you can dig those manicured hands into, while saving money and indulging that yearning for new things to match this new, summery mood of yours:
- Necklaces. You can find tons of great necklaces for under $20. Check out Accessorize, Aldo, H&M, Forever 21 and those random accessory shops in the PATH for various options. Long, drapey necklaces can be worn over blouses or knits with a suit jacket/blazer, or with any type of work dress (just make sure to contrast — a simpler necklace with a print, and a more blingy one with a solid colour sheath). You can also go short and chunky, with layers of beading or pearls. Chunky necklaces look great with a sweater or cardigan and pencil skirt.
- Earrings. As someone who didn’t have pierced ears until her twenties, I’m still excited about earrings. But we tend to put on the same small studs every morning, or rely on the classic pearl, thinking we can’t get any more creative in a legal setting. Wrong! Studs are dependable, sure, but would it kill you to branch out a little bit? Try a small hoop or slight dangle — trust me, you can do this — and even some of the funkier studs with an 80’s or early 90’s feel. It’s a simple but effective way to change your look. Wear your hair pulled back from your face, and let the earrings frame and polish your outfit.
- Watches I never used to wear a watch, which meant two things: a) I never knew the time when people asked me; and b) accordingly, I became overly dependent on my BlackBerry (I know, shocking!) as a time-telling device. A watch solved those problems and it’s sometimes the only accessory I wear. Watches scream responsibility, dependability and trustworthiness, all qualities we want to convey to our clients. And watches are very in style right now, with everything from the chunky men’s style watch to thinner, more ladylike styles. Try a watch made from materials such as ceramic, acrylic horn or plastic for a more adventurous look.
We young female lawyers have to be careful when it comes to accessories — giant, sparkly earrings can distract people from the amazing work we do, and bracelets can be annoying, clicking against the keyboard as we type.
But there are so many ways in which we can use accessories to create a unique look, elevate our basics and build our work wardrobes, without spending a ton of money. Apply that concept to late spring and early summer, and save those dollars for your next beach vacation.
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
Image: Aldoshoes.com