Work experience in City Law Firm - what to wear?

[HesMyLobster]

I'm really hoping some of you can help - I know there are several regular posters on these boards with Law backgrounds so that's why I've posted in HE.

DD has been invited to do a weeks work experience at a leading London Law firm at the end of August.
We've sorted out accommodation etc and now it's suddenly occurred to us that we have no idea what she should wear.

Neither of us have any experience of work in that environment.
I know it will need to be formal, but does she need a suit?
Skirt or trousers?

Whatever it is will need to be bought as she has nothing suitable at all.
She is starting university in September though, where she will continue to live in jeans and hoodies I imagine, so I'd prefer not to spend a fortune at this point!

It has taken us a bit by surprise - she applied to several hundred places because with the long summer after A Levels it seemed like a good use of time.
She didn't expect to receive an offer like this though as we thought most firms only took second years.
She was just hoping to get on mailing lists to be invited to open days/workshops etc.

So she's delighted, and very grateful as she knows she extremely lucky to be given such an opportunity.
She just feels completely unprepared!

So any advice/tips an all would be very much appreciated.

Definitely super smart... I wouldn’t think a suit is crucial but at least smart dark trousers/decent length skirt with a shirt or blouse type top.

Many law firms actually do summer dress down. So think smart summer work dresses etc, Simple shift dresses or a neat skirt/shirt. That said, a lot of work experience kids would wear a suit and want to make a good impression (but beyond the first few minutes it won't matter - being engaged and interested and asking sensible questions is the only thing that matters beyond being reasonably tidy!). Increasingly dresses are fine instead of suits but a blazer to throw on if she's asked to attend a meeting might be a good idea.

A tailored shift dress with a jacket will be perfectly appropriate.

I'd buy a couple of dark coloured tailored dresses (which she might get some further use out of) with a jacket to put over the top.

No suits. A lot of firms even the most corporate are more relaxed in the summer and many follow business casual all year round. Dark trousers and a blouse. Shift dress. Etc

I work in a city law firm and it's not actually as smart as you might think. Having said that, smartness in a work experience student will always make a good impression. I would say get a couple of nice dresses. They don't have to be expensive, a high street dress is fine but makes sure it is quite plain and fits well. Trousers or a pencil skirt with a smart silk-style t-shirt will work well too. Plain smart pumps are fine too. Basically it's not time to express herself dramatically! But no need to go over the top, just be smart, tidy hair etc.

A smart dress would be fine - make sure its knee length or smart black trousers and a blouse which you can't see through either plain or a fairly traditional pattern. Wouldn't bother with a suit. As long as it looks smart wouldn't worry about spending a fortune. First day would be tempted to stick to boring colours black / grey for trousers / skirts then see what others are wearing.

So for example almost any of these dresses m.dorothyperkins.com/en/dpuk/category/dresses-5699972/workwear-dresses-1969998?currentPage=2 would be absolutely fine in our office. Most of our summer students would wear something like this too.

I second the point that no-one cares how work experience students dress, or summer interns, within reason. Provided it’s smart enough it’s good enough. Jeans and hoodie are a no, smart clothes at the formal end of the casual range are ok. Suits are a waste of time.

What matters is paying attention, asking questions, listening and talking to people about what the jobs are actually like and why they are done.

Good luck. It’s a good thing to get experience of what life is really like in the world of work.

OP I work in the city and as other posters have said there is no need for a suit or expensive outfits, smart and tidy will be ok.

Well done to your daughter! I work in the city and often with lawyers. They are very smartly dressed, especially the most junior staff. I'd advise your daughter to play it very safe and ideally get a couple of dark navy, grey or black skirt or trouser suits and then some plain pastel or white shirts underneath. Plain coloured court shoes. I know this might sound boring but she'll fit in well if she wears this and that's what you want in her role. Most of the junior staff will have bought their clothes from LK Bennett, Hobbs, Reiss and similar. If that's not in your budget - understandably - check out Zara, M&S and Next. Keep it classic and plain.

Just realised she's still school age, in which case I agree with other posters that a suit isn't necessary, smart (suit type) trousers or skirt with a couple of smart shirts on rotation should get her through the week, if you don't want to have to buy a suit.

Thanks very much for all the replies - very helpful, especially the link.
Are heels essential do you think?
She rarely wears them, and I have visions of bambi on ice!

Would plain ballet pumps/loafers/brogues be ok or do you think she should buy some heels and get practising?

Plain ballet pumps would be fine - wouldn't risk trying heels for first time though if you do wide heels are much easier to walk in than stiletto type thin heels.

Buy a couple of shift dresses in black, navy or dark grey. Try sitting down in them in the changing room to make sure they are comfortable and don't expose too much leg! I wouldn't bother to buy a jacket at this stage - it will mostly be draped over the back of a chair - but perhaps a couple of smart cardigans as it can be chilly with the AC. Not too much make up, maybe some simple pearl earrings and black shoes. Better to err on the side of boring than stand out!! Behaviour-wise, observe and engage with the current trainees and be enthusiastic and never arrogant.

www.marksandspencer.com/block-heel-ankle-strap-court-shoes/p/p60138804?image=SD_01_T02_0177_Y1_X_EC_90&color=BLACKPATENT&prevPage=plp

Maybe something like this for shoes? Probably not loafers or brogues with a dress.

Just saw that she is starting uni in September. Definitely dont spend a lot then as she may gain/lose weight by the time she graduates and gets her first job - plus fashions may change by then.

Smart shift dress with short or no sleeves in darkish colour knee length- very versatile

I worked in this environment and almost never wore suits. She won't need a suit. But a suit skirt is handy to wear with tops. Alternatively smart slim or straight ish trousers paired with shirt or blouses with or without buttons

Nothing fussy, frilly - avoid excess make up etc, look smart and professional. Heels not essential.

You could phone the HR dpmt and ask to talk to the person in charge of trainees/summer students, if it is one of the large firms, and ask them.

I was a senior solicitor in one of the large city firms at the time I left to go on maternity break, and dress varied hugely at my level, from scruffy trendy to boden dresses to suits, ie women wore what they wanted depending on how many meetings they'd have in the day, but the trainees and definitely the summer students would almost all be suited and booted - I dressed much smarter as a trainee/junior solicitor than I did years later - it depends on the firm but the key thing is that your dd would not want to feel at all uncomfortable, or as though she was dressed differently, so that she can just enjoy all the things they will have arranged for them.

A pp has said that suits don't suit the female form - not so! No longer the 80s big shoulder pads, suits nowadays can be fantastically flattering! (And professional of course).

As for heels you could go for a 2 inch heel as easy to walk in. I didn't wear Boden shoes but lots of people did, and I think they often have good office pumps at various heights?

Hope she loves it. Likely she will be treated well : )

I look back and cringe at the heels I used to wear. I now work in another professional field and never wear them. I do happily wear brogues and loafers of varying styles with skirts, dresses or trousers. I hate to say it but I think she'll be taken ore seriously if she doesnt wear them or if she wears low ones, particularly as not a seasoned heel wearer. They add nothing to an appearance of sensible, hard working work experience girl, nothing at all.

Heels are definitely not essential. Lots of women do wear them but walk to work in trainers! But plain flats/ brogues /loafers absolutely fine.

I work for a law firm. I wore this to the London (city) office today.

www.next.co.uk/g6740s8#/referrer=spread

Sorry, link fail... luddite