Career Clinic: Are bow ties a good look for the modern lawyer?

The law is a conservative place to work, and 'character' is not always encouraged at junior levels. You say you're 24, so I assume you are a trainee or a new qualifier. You want to stand out for your work, not for personal eccentricities. You don't want to find you are not taken to meetings etc. because your supervisor is embarrassed by your 'wacky' dress-sense. That said, personal style, within the realms of ordinary decency, is no bad thing and I applaud your initiative in wanting to break out of the usual drab mould that lawyers usually find themselves in. If it were up to me, bow-ties would be fine. However, knowing the industry, and the way others will pick up on these things, leave it until a few years in to start doing these things that may draw attention to yourself, once you have proved yourself a good lawyer.

Anon. -26 Jan 2009 | 03:58

Don't do it, just don't.

Anonymous -26 Jan 2009 | 08:39

With or without a beard? If this is the limit of your working concerns, bearing in mind the current climate, you are lucky.

Associate -26 Jan 2009 | 10:09

Where do we stand on three-piece suits?

Al -26 Jan 2009 | 11:02

Three piece suits are fine. In fact, to be encouraged. They look great and are professional.

Anon. -26 Jan 2009 | 11:23

Agreed - no bow ties on anyone under 50. Find another, more subtle way to assert your personal style (cufflinks, belt, jacket lining - but not stripy socks).

Anonymous -26 Jan 2009 | 11:56

Depends. When partners pass sarcastic comments about your "nice tie, Coco", will you cease wearing it? If yes, then save yourself the red face and don't bother in the first place. If, on the other hand, you have sufficient character to brazen it out and wear your bow tie again notwithstanding the brickbats, go for it. (Although you may want to give it a miss on Red Nose Day.)

Anonymous -26 Jan 2009 | 14:51

No. No no no no no no. No.

Anonymous -26 Jan 2009 | 16:05

Suggest that you follow the example of the senior partner and do as he does! On the other hand, how do you find your way to work if you need to ask such stupid questions?

Northerner -26 Jan 2009 | 16:08

I think it's fairly clear that the questioner has his tongue firmly in his cheek. With a confident, self-aware sense of humour, I reckon he could pull it off. Go for it!

Southerner -26 Jan 2009 | 16:13

I am a little sympathetic as I like to wear interesting clothes and have to tone down my image for work. However, a lawyer wearing a bow tie is just ridiculous. Sorry. There was a trainee here who wore braces - the senior partner just about pulled it off but the trainee got lots of funny looks. Whether you like it or not, the law is a conservative place to work and you need to make sure your face fits and that you are remembered for the right reasons.

Mid size London firm -26 Jan 2009 | 16:19

Depends on gender - if a woman as I presume (pondering on your dress as you are) then yes, you may get away with it. Obviously if you're a bloke then you'll just look like a grade A numpty of the highest order. Hope this helps.

red robbo -26 Jan 2009 | 16:24

Anyone who needs advice on this issue would be better off concentrating on the basics of dressing - i.e wearing matching socks, underpants that don't smell, etc, etc.

Anonymous -26 Jan 2009 | 16:25

Nice try, but the beard discussion still trumps them all.

May -26 Jan 2009 | 16:30

I know someone who actually tried turning up in a bow tie at a City firm. He was sent home and told to come back properly dressed.

Dullard -26 Jan 2009 | 16:58

Christ on a bike. Clearly you are not in-house at Specsavers.

Appalled -26 Jan 2009 | 21:18

Concerning the modern contemporary look (and hopefully you did not buy into the modern or contemporary democracy) which does not exist: if you want the modern contemporary look then an eye patch is the in look in tartan. Or dunce cap with Swastika. Take your pick!

ANON -26 Jan 2009 | 22:33

Save it for the xmas do, otherwise it could be your leaving do!

Anonymous -27 Jan 2009 | 09:08

No. Never. It's just not a good look - a bit like brown shoes or white socks - leave it to the US lawyers. At your age and stage in your legal career, you should aspire to fit in as much as possible. Aspire to differentiate yourself from your contemporaries with the quality of your work as a junior lawyer.

City Woman -27 Jan 2009 | 11:01

It really depends on where you work. Long ago when I was a trainee working with crims in the magistrates court, my principal always wore a very obviously spotty tie. He said that clients were often unable to remember his name, but would always find him by saying to the court clerk, "he was the one wearing the spotty bow tie." I'm not suggesting that it works anywhere else, mind you.

Former lawyer -27 Jan 2009 | 11:52

City Woman, so true about the shoes. When my friend was a trainee, and he was in a meeting with one of the senior partners: "One does not wear brown shoes in the City" !

So true -27 Jan 2009 | 12:20

There are very few lawyers in the City who are genuinely capable of trading effectively on their outrageous dress-sense to create work. Those who do always run the risk that they're perceived as lightweights with nothing else to distinguish them from the herd except their clothing and (generally) over-developed sense of their own importance - often reinforced by unhelpful asides about all the important people they go shooting with and all the hedge funds they (used to) act for.

City Woman -27 Jan 2009 | 12:40

Provided that it's silk or wool it would be acceptable. Polyester or other materials would be a definite no no. Have you considered one in the shape of the firm's corporate logo? Finally, is the intention to hint at intellectualism or project the image of being "zany and fun"?

No BS -27 Jan 2009 | 13:42

There is a new comment on the 'Beard Board' dated 26th January 2009 - please can this be the start of a Beard Board revival!(http://www.legalweek.com/Articles/1065820/Career+Clinic+Can+a+beard+hold+you+back+in+the+City.html)

To Beard or not To Beard -27 Jan 2009 | 15:11

Are bow ties a good look on ANYBODY?

Trainee -27 Jan 2009 | 16:06

One of the partners in our Amsterdam office wears one BUT he is a genius, a leader in his field, very charismatic and carries it off with flair. Don't rule it out for future but wait until you are established - be wary of anything that makes you stand out (in a bad way). Law firms are not that much different from the playground. Braces are a good way of expressing yourself - harks back to an older era but not a blatant as a bow tie.

Anonymous -27 Jan 2009 | 16:15

No. Don't be ridiculous. Unless you are going to wear a monocle and walk with a zimmer frame, it is a very bad idea. You'll look to your clients like something that rhymes with banker, and that wouldn't do at all now would it?

Consultant -27 Jan 2009 | 16:17

Are you aware that the common name for a bow tie is a "dickie bow"! If you're in litigation and you really want to be in with the modern contemporary judiciary, try jeans and a sloppy joe - and if you want to add "alternative", a feather boa to compliment the dickie bow!

ANON -27 Jan 2009 | 22:20

I have worn bow ties to work at my firm before and no one seemed to mind; the comments were amused but supportive.I would suggest only doing it in a department that would accept it/find it amusing and wait until you made a bit of a name for yourself as a 'good trainee/associate' before dressing individually like this.And this board shows how up to date lawyers are - bow ties came back in fashion for casual wear on men about six months ago. Go to Lanvin and you'll see what I mean.

MC trainee -28 Jan 2009 | 05:02

Bow ties, my fashion impaired friends, are back:http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2009/jan/27/alexis-mabille-fashion-designer-interview(Helps if you're a gamine fashionista as opposed to a solicitor, though...)

Kate -28 Jan 2009 | 12:15

Something being back in fashion doesn't always mean it looks good.

Trainee -28 Jan 2009 | 16:07

What do we think about hats? A snazzy fedora perhaps?

Brian -28 Jan 2009 | 16:08

Perhaps you would subconsciously prefer to be a clown or a Chippendale (just trying to find rational explanations for your appoach). Don't worry, both options are perfectly compatible with being a lawyer -just look at any City boys' legless night out.

The Oracle -28 Jan 2009 | 16:20

Never did Bryan Ferry any harm.

Kate -28 Jan 2009 | 17:15

Would you consider sporting a bow tie Kate?

Dave -29 Jan 2009 | 13:53

HA! I haven't known anyone who wore braces since the seventh grade.

US lawyer -29 Jan 2009 | 14:27

What is the opposite of a hen?

anon -29 Jan 2009 | 16:49

My boyfriend works for a major bank as a private banker and regularly wears a bow tie - silk, spotted, plain. He is in the first few years if his career and it hasn't done him any harm.

Top 30 Firm -30 Jan 2009 | 18:32

You cannot be serious! Don't do it.

FashionAdviser -03 Feb 2009 | 16:33

Bow ties? Absolutely. I'm in suits daily, with heavily starched shirts and bow ties. Always have gotten nothing but highest compliments.

BowTiedGuy -03 May 2009 | 20:06