I think it depends on the law firm. At my law firm, yes, I think things will change because people think more about comfort and practicality now. If it wasn’t already clear, I think the pandemic certainly solidified that. At a law firm, people are still going to judge what you’re wearing. It does reflect on the professional part of the job. It’s heading in a way that’s a little bit more toned down, but may have to correct itself eventually and become a little more ‘formal.’ I think people will find more of a middle ground and just be more practical in understanding that you can have flexibility that maybe wasn’t there in law firms before.
— Meghan, 32, a lawyer at a Boston-based law firm, who is currently working from home in Hawaii, commenting on whether she thinks thinks the pandemic will actually change the corporate dresscode at her firm. Although things are very casual right now, she says, “I don’t want to overdo it. I’ve been trying to be conscious of being in a totally different climate—I don’t want to be wearing a tank top— so that I look somewhat appropriate.”
Staci Zaretsky is a senior editor at Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Twitter or connect with her on LinkedIn.