What to Wear: law school red mass, reception, bar

[wjg23g]

Quick question:

I'm a 1L and we have red mass this friday, to celebrate the start of the "legal season." The evening will be an informal dinner party, services, a reception, and then out to a bar.

I've heard wispers that a suit is too overdressed for this occasion. However, I don't have any real nice blazers. Should I wear:

1) simple navy suit & a tie
2) simple navy suit & a PS
3) blazer & nice slacks?

Thanks for your input

 

[wjg23g]

good feedback so far...

 

[Tarmac]

if they said suit is overdressed, don't wear a suit

 

[Drydis Greis]

Originally Posted by wjg23g

Quick question:

I'm a 1L and we have red mass this friday, to celebrate the start of "legal season." The evening will be an informal dinner party, services, a reception, and then out to a bar.

I've heard wispers that a suit is too overdressed for this occasion. However, I don't have any real nice blazers. Should I wear:

1) simple navy suit & a tie
2) simple navy suit & a PS
3) blazer & nice slacks?

Thanks for your input

Well, if you don't have a nice blazer you are sort of stuck with the first option. You'll be fine.

 

[j]

Originally Posted by wjg23g

good feedback so far...
Your thread title is not very specific or clear. You might consider changing it. FYI, even though I think I guessed what you meant, "WTW" is not a well known acronym.

 

[wjg23g]

ok, edited the title. thanks for the replys.

 

[namm23]

elbow patches

 

[Salvatore123]

Aside from the fact that Holy Mass is a reverent event, most Red Masses usually have a visiting speaker, and include the local Ordinary (that is, bishop) in attendance. If you are a member of an older firm with a relatively large number of attorneys, this is all the more reason to "dress up".

Dressing up in a suit for the Red Mass would be no different than dressing in a suit to go to court. You would NEVER catch me wearing anything other than a suit in court. Then again, I am pretty old fashioned when it comes to dress, Mass, and court appearances.

My simple advice - wear a suit. No one will ask why you are wearing a suit. If you dress very conservatively (dark suit - navy or charcoal), dark shoes, white shirt, and a linen pocket square, I dare say you will probably receive some compliments.

My own "maxim": I have never seen someone who is overdressed look any where nearly as embarrassed as someone who was undressed.

 

[Motol12]

Originally Posted by Salvatore123

Aside from the fact that Holy Mass is a reverent event, most Red Masses usually have a visiting speaker, and include the local Ordinary (that is, bishop) in attendance. If you are a member of an older firm with a relatively large number of attorneys, this is all the more reason to "dress up".

Dressing up in a suit for the Red Mass would be no different than dressing in a suit to go to court. You would NEVER catch me wearing anything other than a suit in court. Then again, I am pretty old fashioned when it comes to dress, Mass, and court appearances.

My simple advice - wear a suit. No one will ask why you are wearing a suit. If you dress very conservatively (dark suit - navy or charcoal), dark shoes, white shirt, and a linen pocket square, I dare say you will probably receive some compliments.

My own "maxim": I have never seen someone who is overdressed look any where nearly as embarrassed as someone who was undressed.

Need to +1 this. You're not going to offend people by overdressing, you can and probably will offend someone by underdressing. Wear the full suit, tie, PS, etc. When you get the bar, if you're overdressed just take off your jacket and roll up the shirtsleeves.

 

[dganderson]

I agree with the posts above me, the suit is the way to go.

 

[x26]

Originally Posted by wjg23g

Quick question:

I'm a 1L and we have red mass this friday, to celebrate the start of the "legal season." The evening will be an informal dinner party, services, a reception, and then out to a bar.

I've heard wispers that a suit is too overdressed for this occasion. However, I don't have any real nice blazers. Should I wear:

1) simple navy suit & a tie
2) simple navy suit & a PS
3) blazer & nice slacks?

Thanks for your input

Is it a sort of "SantaMaria Celebration"??

 

[malefic]

What's a PS? All I think when I see those letters is "Paul Smith" .......

 

[Lowndes]

Where do you go to law school? You make this sound like a school event.

 

[Consumerwhore]

Originally Posted by malefic

What's a PS? All I think when I see those letters is "Paul Smith" .......

Pocket Square..?

 

[Hazad]

I'm a 3L and no matter what level of formality an event has been, people have worn suits. Whether it is business casual, casual, whatever, there will be kids in suits. Very few law students have any idea what business casual means and so by actually wearing business casual, you stick out as under-dressed. I made that mistake early on into law school and now I just follow the pack and wear business dress to business casual events.

I assume that this event falls into the same category, and you should not be worried at all if you wear a suit. I'd wager that more people will be in suits than business casual anyway.