WHAT TO WEAR TO LAW SCHOOL

If you attend law school, you swear an oath to be professional and are thrust into a new (scary) legal realm full of briefcases, suits, and piles of paper. While in this new and vast world, you're still an undergraduate and not an lawyer (yet). Why should you be concerned about your attire and fashion at school? Why is it not acceptable to dress in the morning wearing PJs and eating breakfast in an 8 a.m. contract class? Appearance matters.

WHY DO YOUR LOOKS MATTER?

To begin, I would like to start with a general statement that says you should not look at a book based on its cover. Clothes can change your personality and your appearance. It is true that, regardless of whether you agree, all people are evaluated based on their appearance, specifically, how they dress. (This is a bit naïve, but I am telling you how it is!) Hypothetical: Think of the best professional you have met in your life. Do you think you would take them seriously when they wore sweatpants and a stained shirt to an event? Perhaps not, but why not? What is the reason? It is more complex and scientific, but your unconscious brain can take any information (visual and more) and synthesize it to understand the person fully. This is why even if you don not know someone well, you already know what kind you are (e.g., reliable) even when you do not have any personal knowledge of the person. There is a "gut feeling" that you cannot explain. It is the brain working behind the scenes, evaluating other people. This can be unfair, but that is the human body.

HOW YOU WANT TO BE PERCEIVED

While it is a bit gruelling that people will be making judgments about your character (unconsciously or not), You can alter how they perceive you. You can become an alter-perception. It is possible to make people believe that you are a professional, a stoic, and compassionate (the list is endless) solely by the clothes that you put on and how you appear. When you put together the layout of your closet or shop for new clothes, ask yourself: "How do I want people to view me?" This will inform a lot of your choices without much thought. This way, you are in charge of how you are perceived and not being judged unfairly because of your appearance. The same applies when you are in court.

YOUR OWN "DRESS CODE"

What should your look for as a law student? It is important to establish the dress code you will follow for yourself. This will determine the way you want to appear. Shopping for new clothes is unnecessary just because you are beginning or attending law school. Instead, go through your closet and choose which outfits you are comfortable with for law school and other legal functions and what clothes you should be to wear on casual occasions on weekends. I keep my closet categorized according to "dressy," "casual," along with "work-out/very casual" clothes. This helps to pick what you'd like for school rather than worrying about it in the morning of class.

GIVE YOURSELF WIGGLE ROOM

It is important to allow yourself some room to modify how you dress following what's going on at school or your work. Decide your dress code based on your style, but alter it according to your preferences. It could be a great top or blouse that you can pair with slacks or a skirt. I think my "everyday" wear is a mix of business casual and dressy outfits. They are outfits I am at ease in during long hours of school and lectures, yet they make me appear polished. If you know that a major occasion is happening at your law school, change your dress code to make it more professional. Additionally, you can alter your appearance based on what's happening outside of the law school walls (wait, there's a chance that you could enjoy an active Social life beyond law school?) In the end, your attire doesn't have to be strictly a dress code to appear professional.

DON'T STRESS

I may have scared you a little. However, how you dress is not a reason to worry about. You don't need to dress in suits every day at law school, but certain students do, and there's no problem with it. There's no need to be embarrassed for wearing sweatpants and a shirt because you slept in all night (which I wouldn't recommend) and had to get into class before 9 a.m. The truth is, your Constitutional law instructor will likely not keep track of the outfit you put on throughout the day. But, it is important to be aware that law students and people who work in the legal field are often (unfairly, however) expected to adhere to a stricter standard, particularly regarding their appearance.

The public wants you to dress well and have a great appearance because you are representing them. While this is valid, lawyers are not required to appear professional all the time. Being stylish is not only about clothes; it is important to take your health seriously (including health and personal). However, when you appear like you are in the right place, you will feel like you are in the right place, and doors will open when you attract those who are right for you. However, don't be concerned about your appearance. Concentrate on achieving success while considering how other people think of your appearance.

FINAL REMARKS

Thanks for reading this article I hope it cast some light on what you have to do. I am a law tutor providing law students assistance with law essays, law exams, time management, course selection, or anything else. Send me an email if you need help with studying law. I will answer as quickly as I can. I am also a law tutor who offers video call lessons. I can help with most topics.