Bare legs - sensible for summer or unprofessional?

[Issymum]

I'm a lawyer and my assistant is a paralegal (a mix between a secretary and a lawyer who is hoping to qualify as a solicitor in a couple of years time).

We were discussing in a girlie way, what we would wear to the office in the summer. My view is trousers work best in high summer, otherwise one has to wear tights because bare legs (however smooth, slim and tanned) look unprofessional. Her view is that bare legs are fine, providing they are smooth, slim and tanned. She of course possesses such a pair and I don't.

I wouldn't make an issue about it, but I'm just wondering if I'm being hopelessly stuffy or if she, by being too informal, might undermine her professional credibility.

One for the Mumsnet Arbiter of Good Taste.

[clary]

Oh this is a good one.
there is a ruling in our office (not really, but it?s only a semi-joke) that no-one may wear tights between May and Sept.
The way to get round it is to wear a long skirt or trousers.
I don?t think no tights and a short skirt is very nice unless it?s very hot, but I mean not nice on me lol.
We are fairly relaxed dress-code wise anyway (well, the women are) it?s not a smart suits type place and a lot of people don?t see the public etc so I think it?s fine.
If you were dealing with clients it might be a differnet story.
And it?s definitely tarty imho to go to a wedding/funeral with a smart skirt and no tights. even in August.
So there.
BTW I also feel dubious about toes on view (mine0 but am in fact weraing open toed sandals today, onyl because I don't have anything else lol. need to get some new summer clothes and shoes...now that's a whole differnt thread!

[puddle]

I thought about this thread today. I'm wearing an a-line below the knee skirt and white birkenstocks. Double faux pas - feet and leg!

[Issymum]

Don't worry pinotgrigio, there will be no voluntary glimpses of ankle until said ankle is toned and tanned!

What am I wearing on top - smart, short-sleeved, scoop-necked black t-shirt with turquoise cashmere-mix fine-knit sweater slung oh-so casually round the shoulders.

This is great - nobody else on the planet could give a t*ss what I'm wearing. Hooray for Mumsnet!

[pinotgrigio]

glimpse

[pinotgrigio]

Glimse of ankle?! That was practically pornographic in Victorian times. Be careful you don't inflame the fires of passion in the lawyers with your raunchy flashes.

[expatinscotland]

I worked in a marketing and then a legal department for a large financial company in Denver, CO, USA. It gets amazingly hot there. As long as the legs were toned and tanned and the skirt or dress NOT mini, bare legs were acceptable. Think it depends a lot on the company and the weather. Wearing tights when it's 40 degrees out is torture.

[flobbleflobble]

Good plan - what are you wearing as a top?

[Issymum]

Gosh - just come back from a week in the US on business and a week on holiday in France and am amazed to see that this thread is still going.

I think I may have resolved my dilemma - a black, soft-linen, fitted, lined, panelled skirt from Gap ($70 in the "Mall of America" in Minneapolis) that comes down to the ankle, worn bare-legged with black ballet pumps from Bally. Just the smallest glimpse of ankle showing.

[PiccadillyCircus]

I'm an accountant in practice although have recently moved to a non client-facing department.

I am 24 weeks pregnant and today am wearing a short sleeved black dress, bare legs and sandals. I did make sure my legs and toes were in good condition for this venture.My dress comes below my knees as well. Yesterday I was wearing trousers, and proper shoes with heels and was too hot.

Not sure on the sleeveless top thing; and definitely not spaghetti straps.

When I was pg two summers ago, I lived in my sandals from May until October. After a while they were the only shoes that would fit and I don't think it bothered any of my clients. And I have also been managing to get promoted along the way so it seems that being pregnant and wearing slightly mnore casual clothes has been all right for me.

Would get a shock if men came to work in shorts and sandals but don't think it is too likely.

[flobbleflobble]

Alternative to full courts - maybe slingbacks with peep-toes?

[wysiwyg]

Interesting to see the different views depending on the career.

Personally I think bare legs are OK - but skirt needs to be below the knee. I really dislike any midriff on show, spaghetti straps on tops (sleeveless is OK I think). Or what about the wonderful rear view on the thong showing above the low slung trousers........

But... re the open toe thing - I hate wearing full court shoes with no tights - have tried those little footsie things (!!!!!!!!!!!) Any ideas?

[tealeaves]

bare legs as long as shaved, moisturised and worn with a decent suit, can look very glam imho. So when it's 100F would you wear stockings even if you were sweating like a pig.

[flobbleflobble]

Tan colour tights are firmly 20th century IMO.
Tights in summer are so old fashioned & frumpy that they are undermining to a professional image.

Toes on display is fine too. What is not professional is

• a lack of personal grooming (so the legs & toes need to be well looked after!), dodgy roots etc, piercings & tattoos on display
  
• clothes which are unclean, unironed, ill-matched, overtly sexual, visible underwear, too short trousers and the like

[Prufrock]

In previous life at city (well Ok docklands) firm definately no bare legs, underarms or toes on show. And this was in a US firm where code was Business casual. Of course rules wre relaxed if not seeing external parties.

[HRHDuchessofPeahead]

bugger off fishy one. croz is a shark and will eat you for breakfast

[cod]

Message withdrawn

[HRHDuchessofPeahead]

hurrah! croz has promised to be there but I'll believe it when I see it....

[crunchie]

BTW there is a new product out called 'Airbrush legs' which is a type of spray tan for the legs, It only lasts for the day (or night) but instead of fake tan it simply colours the legs. Anyway it could be the answer to the non tight wearers looking OK (I think it covers more like make up for your legs. I haven't used it but you can buy it in Asdas and I think Boots (It is made by Sally Hansen)

I only know about it because they advertise with me

[Issymum]

Thank you PPH. That sage advice alone must have made the school fees worth it.

[Yes, I am going to the L. alumni thingy and I will definitely be wearing my 20 dernier tights.]

[jodee]

mts, I used to work in a place like that, up until about 5 years ago ladies were not allowed to wear trousers. The dress code is now less formal, but it did mean people thought they could get away with designer jeans and deckshoes.

[fastasleep]

Ah.. well I think I fall at number 2!

[mummytosteven]

depends if you 1)wear any clothing on top of them and 2)if your skirt is so short you can see the stocking tops as you saunter round the office

[fastasleep]

I wear stay up stockings...would I get a reputation?

[mummytosteven]

as a former solicitor I can confirm the utter stuffiness of the legal profession's sartorial code (apart from the few enlightened places where you can dress down unless seeing clients/court)

the other professional solution to the tights in summer problem is IMHO stockings. (of course if they fall down or the suspender belt shows then possibly they just might detract from your professionalism)

[fastasleep]

What on earth? Undermining professional credibility by having bare legs or short sleeved shirts?! Honestly I wonder about these people who have jobs sometimes.