Law in Contemporary Society

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ClothesMaketheLawyer 24 - 06 Jun 2008 - Main.MiaWhite
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I am having trouble understanding what is at the crux of the discussion, in class and in the comments on Mina's paper, about clothes and class. I see that we categorize each other according to socioeconomic status, based on our clothes. Yet, Eben observes that it is a rare law student who dresses properly for an interview (I, for instance, know next to nothing about suits, let alone the nuances of buttons and collars). So we can assume that many incorrectly attired law students are offered jobs anyway, and learn to dress properly for their respective jobs once they already have them. It follows then, that I wear will depend on what I do, and not vice versa. If I change jobs, my clothes will change. So if clothes are not a bar to raising one's socioeconomic status, but rather an indication of that status once attained, where and when does the relationship between clothes and class become important?
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 My boss, the chief of staff, is currently wearing something that I would have never considered business casual before (plaid short sleeve button down shirt untucked, jeans, sneakers). This is far different than Alex's office where suit/no tie would be acceptable. If I wore that today I'd be way over dressed.

-- JulianBaez - 06 Jun 2008

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I'd like to echo the "business casual" problem. It's the equivalent of saying something is "interesting"--it's an empty, overused modifier that lacks true meaning. That said, thank God my firm is business casual this summer because I know it means I don't have to wear a suit! Skirts, hosiery, shoes, jewelry, jackets, color limitations are all still being hashed out. As far as the class connection, it's there but often inaccurate. It's one mutable quality that we continue to rely on for social cues (which makes sense to some extent), but it's also highly inaccurate. Ex. There are hipsters who spend tons of money to look like everything was purchased vintage or just-rolled-out-of-bed, while broke college students scrap to buy expensive(looking) suits to fit in at their jobs. Another question is at what point does individual preference/style come into play in this sort of discussion? I know for me, I like to at least know what the rules are so I can bend/break them intentionally.

Men, at least you don't have to wear pantyhose. I found these discussions entertaining. For your enjoyment/procrastination: Jezebel talks hosiery Wall Street Journal -- MiaWhite - 06 Jun 2008

 
 
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Revision 24r24 - 06 Jun 2008 - 15:15:24 - MiaWhite
Revision 23r23 - 06 Jun 2008 - 14:56:26 - JulianBaez
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