Corporate lawyers' opinions pls

[Asana]

I'm due to start a TC with a "progressive" Top 10 law firm next year, and start my LPC this year. I used to have medium-length dark hair for years, but took the decision last year to shave it all off (various reasons, one of which was I was starting to suffer from traction alopecia) - this picture and my profile picture should give you an idea as to how I currently wear it

At the time, I intended to grow it back but, to date, still have it shaved (think a 0.5 haircut). I guess I eventually realised that, in the past, way too much time, effort and money was spent on getting my hair to look like Caucasian hair - this contributed towards the alopecia and it was all pretty futile (getting Afro hair to look like Caucasian hair usually involved, for me personally, an elaborate half-hour routine each morning and another half-hour routine each evening, coupled with three Saturdays a month lost at the hairdressers). I have nothing against black people (men or women) who chemically straighten their hair or enhance it with braids, hairpieces etc - I did it myself for several years and do sometimes miss being able to wear hair past my shoulders. I just found that, in the process, I was actually destroying my hair and reached the decision that even if I didn't get to keep my hair long, I would quite like to keep my hairline intact. Plus, the freedom of having no hair is priceless!

Aaaanyway, I have had a number of comments from friends that there is no way I'll be accepted/tolerated at my firm with my hair so short/no hair at all. At the moment, I'm torn between the following -
(i) grow my hair, straighten/braid/'loc'/put a weave in it and risk damaging it again
(ii) leave my hair the way it is, and wear [most likely hot, scratchy and uncomfortable] wigs
(iii) leave my hair the way it is, do nothing, and see what happens

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated. So long as I keep everything else professional (suits, manner etc), do you think my choice of hairstyle is likely to be a problem?

PS - In case any of you also post on/read a well-known informal law forum, yes, I've posted this on there as well. The more opinions I can get, the easier (I hope!) it will be to reach a decision.

God, you are gorgeous!

Am not a corporate lawyer, but work in a professional environment. I think that a shaven head would cause a few raised eyebrows, but very short hair would not. I used to have an Indonesian boss who had a very short, structured haircut to go with her fabulous bone structure. It did not cause her any problems at all.

However, on a similar note, my DH cut his waist-length hair a few years back when he left academia as it was 'frowned upon' for men to have long hair.

I wouldn't even consider wearing a wig and I don't think you need to try to look "Caucasian".

I used to work in one of the most traditional law firms (you know the one! Think bondage!) and TBH I don't think it would have been a major problem.

Could you wear it short but not as short as in the picture that's not you? Eg keep it around a quarter of an inch but not completely shaved? I think that would look really well. Actually there were a fair few women who had very short hair styles anyway - not your sort of Afro-hair-short but with that pixie-ish type hair cut - and actually in some cases, just a no nonsense very short crop (what might be lazily considered to be 'Lesbian'-short). I certainly never found it mattered in the slightest.

I think a lot of people think that law firms are about image. Really they just want you to look presentable, clean and tidy. It's not a fashion show and most of the male partners don't have a clue and pick up the tie that doesn't have egg dribbled down it from yesterday's breakfast. They don't care so long as you put in the hours and don't fuck up.

Good luck!

at "bondage"! Yes, I know the firm of which you speak - funnily enough, if I were going to that firm, I wouldn't have even asked the question; I'd have just grown my hair! I guess if it wouldn't be a problem at that firm, I don't foresee it being that major an issue at the firm I'm going to (or I would hope!)

And thanks Poledra - I am toying with the idea of having it maybe an inch long, but I really dislike my hair at that length - it just tends to look untidy to me.

Ah well, I may wait and see what reactions I get during the LPC if I attend any events at the firm, and then decide from those. Hopefully, no one will be too rude/intrusive (at least, not openly!).

God, you don't have to look Caucasian. No, no, no to wigs.

As short as it currently is may cause the odd raised eyebrow. I doubt anyone would say anything. If they did, I'd fix them with a stare and say you have alopecia. That'd serve them right!

I would definitely go for option iii. If you wanted to ease things along, you could go for Free Button's suggestion and go very short but not shaved. That would get rid of the possible initial reaction.

I don't think hair like yours holds you back. Actually, stubble or long hair on men would be much more commented upon. Women have way more freedom.

Congratulations on the TC.

I'd also go with short but not shaved. Even 1cm might be enough to make it look more "acceptable" in that environment. Wigs, long hair or weaves not necessary.

One point I'd make though is that regardless as they may try and portray themselves, none of the top 10 firms are actually that progressive so I wouldn't rely on that to help tbh.

I worked in a City firm until 2 years ago and I agree with everyone who's said (iii). You will see other women working there with very short crops, I'm sure, and I'd imagine that short (not shaved) hair on you looks very groomed - it definitely helps that you are blimmin' beautiful to begin with! Please don't wear a wig or a weave - you definitely shouldn't need to do that.

Good luck. You don't need anyone to tell you what a difficult job it can be at times, but you've cleared so many hurdles by getting a TC that I'm sure you'll be fine!

Agree with others. If you think it could be an issue, consider talking to HR and mention your alopecia.

Thanks guys! I'm starting to feel a little less paranoid about it now. Luckily, traction alopecia isn't permanent - having my hair so short means that my hair's starting to grow back normally. I just thought it would be a shame to go back to the status quo and have it start all over again!

AxisofEvil, hence the "" around "progressive" I think most places are still fairly traditional, some more so than others. I take heart that I know of one black female partner at the London office of a US firm that keeps her hair fairly short, and it doesn't seem to have hindered her in any way.

Asana - you are stunning. Having short hair suits you.

There was an interesting show where the sister of beyonce gave up all hair extensions.

Hi Asana, law firms are not progressive, but they do like to look good.
Having you as a trainee, dressed to the nines and (taken for granted) very, very clever, will be a feather in their cap and they are lucky to have you.
Work very, very hard. Put the firm first in all other things, but follow your own style in terms of your bodily appearance. Wear the suits and shoes etc, but have your hair how you want it.
Best of luck!

From the City office of a national firm... I would say to HR that you will show up with very very short hair due to your illness. This gives you some cover if your firm turns out to be less progressive than advertised.

I don't think your time as a trainee is a time to follow your own style, TBH. Your instinct to look as professional as possible is spot on.