Brooks Brothers Sport Coat help

[dylanmacarthur]

I'm hoping to take advantage of the 2/$800 deal on some SCs and Blazers, but I'm struggling to figure out which sport coat is best for my situation. I will be working as a summer associate at a large Manhattan law firm this summer. I want to look nice, but don't want to rock the boat too much.

These are the options I'm considering.

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize=

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize=

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize=

I'm also open to any suggestions. Thanks in advance.

 

[viator]

I say the first one. But also, as a summer associate at a law firm, I'd say just make sure you have one nice suit in case they bring you along to court or client meetings. The rest of the time, it will most likely be business casual. I do wear sport coats to my firm on a semi-regular basis, but it's not a requirement for summer associates for sure. If you do decide to go this route, I would suggest starting off with basic navy.

 

[dylanmacarthur]

Originally Posted by viator

I say the first one. But also, as a summer associate at a law firm, I'd say just make sure you have one nice suit in case they bring you along to court or client meetings. The rest of the time, it will most likely be business casual. I do wear sport coats to my firm on a semi-regular basis, but it's not a requirement for summer associates for sure. If you do decide to go this route, I would suggest starting off with basic navy.
Thanks for your input. So you would suggest just a classic navy blazer and skip the sport coat for now?

 

[MCH-est.1818]

I would definitely recommend starting with the quintessential navy blazer and building from there. But of the three, I would recommend the third one since the silk/wool blend might be a bit lighter/cooler for summer than the saxxon plus the tan odd jacket is more in season than color wise than the other (IMHO).

 

[porcelain monkey]

I find the Madison fit boxy - even on their models it looks to me like they are waring their father's jackets. For BB I much prefer Regent and Fitzgerald. And yes, it you do 2 for $800 or whatever, get one blue blazer.

 

[viator]

Originally Posted by dylanmacarthur

Thanks for your input. So you would suggest just a classic navy blazer and skip the sport coat for now?
Yes, a navy blazer will be a perfect thing to throw on for cocktail parties, etc.

 

[lithdoc]

Get a country club navy blazer (looks like they no longer make them in black or green) and the third one. Made in USA!

 

[phxlawstudent]

Aren't you summers supposed to be wearing suits...

 

[dylanmacarthur]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

Aren't you summers supposed to be wearing suits...
Nah it's business casual. Most juniors I saw were wearing slacks and a button down.

Did you wear suits every day?

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by dylanmacarthur

Nah it's business casual. Most juniors I saw were wearing slacks and a button down.

Did you wear suits every day?

I did not get the opportunity to summer at a large firm. When I was at the AG's, they had a "summer dress code" (120* outside and you just run from AC to AC). So I got by with dress shirts and dress pants. Same when I clerked for a judge.

But, if I did get a summer position at a large firm, I'd wear the suit even if none of the other associates did. Unless the regular associates didn't even wear jackets, I would try to stay a step above to look serious and professional to the firm. Alternatively, I'd stay a notch above the other summers. Remember, it's a job interview. A really long job interview for hiring after the summer. Look more professional than the rest of the summers and they'll probably think you are.

You sure the juniors didn't just ditch their suit jacket in their office? The lawyers do it all the time at my current internship.

 

[dylanmacarthur]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

I did not get the opportunity to summer at a large firm. When I was at the AG's, they had a "summer dress code" (120* outside and you just run from AC to AC). So I got by with dress shirts and dress pants. Same when I clerked for a judge.

But, if I did get a summer position at a large firm, I'd wear the suit even if none of the other associates did. Unless the regular associates didn't even wear jackets, I would try to stay a step above to look serious and professional to the firm. Alternatively, I'd stay a notch above the other summers. Remember, it's a job interview. A really long job interview for hiring after the summer. Look more professional than the rest of the summers and they'll probably think you are.

You sure the juniors didn't just ditch their suit jacket in their office? The lawyers do it all the time at my current internship.
The juniors could have - I'm not entirely sure, TBH. I know the partners I interviewed with were wearing suits. Most big Manhattan firms are legitimately business casual these days though, and from other people I've talked to it seems like most summers dress in business casual.

Don't you think it's a bit safer to look sharp, but stay within the herd and not look like a gunner? My logic is that I'm probably safer trying to do business casual well then wear a suit every day when everyone else is in slacks and a shirt. You disagree?

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by dylanmacarthur

Don't you think it's a bit safer to look sharp, but stay within the herd and not look like a gunner? My logic is that I'm probably safer trying to do business casual well then wear a suit every day when everyone else is in slacks and a shirt. You disagree?
No, that's exactly what I said, read the whole post. I said step it up a little bit.

 

[dylanmacarthur]

Originally Posted by phxlawstudent

No, that's exactly what I said, read the whole post. I said step it up a little bit.
I know, I was just presenting another perspective - that it might be a negative to intentionally separate yourself from the rest of your class and dress more formally than the vast majority of actual practicing associates at the firm. I feel like this might send the wrong signal. Dunno though. I'm pretty new to this professional workplace thing.

Either way, I'm guessing I should have enough of a wardrobe on hand that I can make a run at business casual for the whole summer or - if I'm wrong about how most summers dress - stay afloat long enough to buy a few more suits and have them properly tailored.

 

[phxlawstudent]

I agree with you. Let me restate to clarify.

I personally would wear a suit in Phoenix because from what I've seen the big firms still wear suits throughout the summer. Hence, I would be fitting in.

You should dress slightly better than the other summers to come across as more professional. However, your work product is vastly more important, and you shouldn't overthink this. Just dress professionally, and no one will care too much. And by slightly better, I mean press your shirts better, wear wool trousers instead of cotton ones, groom yourself better, etc. The little things. Don't wear a suit if all the lawyers in the office are wearing the summer dress code; unless your going to court. Can't be overdressed for court if your in front of the judge. Plus it makes everyone else there think you belong and aren't a criminal.

I'd still wear the suit the first day just in case. You can lose the jacket easily.

 

[viator]

Definitely wear a suit the first day.

At most large law firms, the dress code is business casual, so unless you have a client meeting or are attending court, associates generally wear nice dress pants and a dress shirt.

As a summer associate, the best thing is to wear those items and make sure they fit you and are of high quality. Wearing a suit every day is not at all necessary, or frankly, adviseable. Same for a sportcoat.

Honestly, save your money and use it to buy some really nice shirts, shoes, dress pants.