Suit up, ladies.

Every law student should own a black suit. Specifically, women should have a black skirt suit, black hose, white shirt, black heels.

This semester I have observed various classmates suited up. The reasons vary from interviews for summer employment to legal writing conferences.  They all love it, no matter how they may complain.

Why? Because they look like real lawyers. Or so they think.

In reality, they look like little girls playing dress up in their mothers closet.

The suits are wrinkled and ill fitting. The shoes are horrendous ranging from “fuck me ”patent leather pumps to scuffed brown loafers.

I cannot lie. Part of the reason that I have chosen this profession is because of the suits. Perhaps I am a part of the minority.

“I’m going into public interest. Why do I put on the conservative monkey suit?”  Because not all public interest lawyers are crunchy granola types and you want to be taken seriously.

“Why not a brown/khaki suit? ” They show wrinkles and stains more easily and they make you look like you are going on a safari.

“But I can’t walk in heels!” Then you should start practicing. Walk around your apartment. Believe me, it gets easier with practice. However, too high a heel is not professional, it can look downright hookerish. You can experiment with color once you get the job. Do not fear though, there are some really cute black options out there. All you have to do is look. 

“Ummm, panty hose? I don’t own panty hose.” No hose, no goes.  Bare legs are not professional. You can get around this with a pant suit and tasteful trouser socks. However, I would keep the skirt and black hose in the closet for the really important days.

I guarantee that following this little tips will greatly improve your self esteem going into these interviews and meetings.  When you feel that you look good, then you feel good, and when you feel good, then you perform better.

So suit up, ladies.

25 Part II.

I hit the quarter century mark yesterday.

There were two gifts which made my day absolutely fantabulous.  The first was my new camera. Ain’t it purdy?

The second was a mini shopping spree at Steve and Barry’s, which is my new favorite store. Majority of everthing is $8.98 or less. I absolutely love the Sarah Jessica Parker line, Bitten.  Now, I was dismayed to read of the financial troubles that the retailer was having. I think it’s a matter of expanding in  brick and mortar too quickly combined with a disconnect between advertising and availability.  If they started selling their clothing online there is no telling how far they could go.  I was shocked by the quality and the price. I felt like the woman in the IKEA commercial yelling, “Start the car! Start the car!” when I realized how many cute things I was able to get for a fraction of the price I would pay elsewhere.

Long live Steve and Barry’s.