“To dress like a lawyer, men should wear a tailored dark suit (navy or charcoal), a crisp white or light blue shirt, conservative leather shoes and minimal accessories, while women should wear a trouser or skirt suit in a neutral colour with closed-toe heels and a simple blouse.”
The traditional and somewhat outdated view of office wear – like this from leather goods firm Von Baer – has been edged out, over the last 40 years of VMH being in business, in favour of a more flexible approach.
Appropriate workwear for a legal estate agency office depends not just on the firm’s culture – with professionals aiming for a clean, conservative and trustworthy look – but on practical considerations; will today’s schedule involve being outside, in a more exposed location, for example.
“While there has never been an official dress code for VMH staff, our workwear has definitely evolved over the 22 years I’ve been with the firm,” says Director Mary Pat McFarlane.
“When I started, the solicitors, both male and female, were in suits and the outfits worn by others in the office were more formal than now. These days, we’re on the smart side of casual but altogether more approachable.
“No stuffiness in our office or subconscious barriers put up between us and the clients.”
The palette for workwear has changed significantly over the last 40 years, particularly for female staff, with bolder colours reflecting increased empowerment. As our Residential Property Valuer – and Art graduate – Joan McAuley says:
“Wearing strong colours can appear confident, with the ability to stand out and be noticed. It can also give the impression that this person is comfortable in their own skin, giving others the opportunity to relax.
“You are more likely to be remembered for the colours you wear, as long as you get the balance right though – too many conflicting colours can sometimes have the opposite effect and can be quite distracting.”
One thing we can all agree on, however, is being garment-ready for various eventualities. It pays to keep a spare shirt or top and a pair of clean smart shoes at work for unexpected meetings – or any work/lunch related spills! – along with trainers, rain jacket and brolly for the capital’s unpredictable weather.
Regardless of fashions and fads, here at VMH we pride ourselves on giving more care and more attention to our clients, proving that good service never goes out of style.