It’s one of those choices in life that at first glance seems liberating. But once the rules of the game have been digested. Dilemma – the rules aren’t strict enough; they aren’t defined enough. And barristers won’t give a reliable opinion. Uh-oh there’s choice.

It really shouldn’t be that complicated. But the evidence suggests otherwise. One firm has already gone the codified route this summer – you can check out what the trendy folk at Weil Gotshal & Manges will be sporting here.

But unless you are willing to dispatch the problem by simply eliminating the tie and being done with it, how do you decide? Here’s a full explanation – that may or may not assist with the confusion.

Attention Idiot Lawyers: Business Casual Explained by BL1Y at Bitter Lawyer

Every summer there’s one phrase floating around law firms that causes a great deal of stress, confusion and annoyance for the horde of twentysomethings starting their first professional job. No, not “law firm hot”—I’m talking about “business casual.”
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Business casual causes so many problems because people want to define it in isolation. However, to truly understand this fashion limbo you have to think of it in relation to two other dress codes: Business formal and dressy casual.

You tell a man to dress business formal, and he knows to wear a suit and a tie. It’s an instinct that’s in our DNA.

Women, on the other hand, seem to have a bit of trouble with business formal. Sorry, I’ve witnesses it plenty of times, so it has to be said. I’ll let you blame it on the fact that women have way too many more clothing options than men.

Ladies, business formal means a suit. A suit means a jacket and either pants or a skirt that are cut from, literally, the same bolt of cloth. It’s more than a jacket and bottom that match. They must be the exact same cloth. End of discussion.

But it’s not the very end, in fact he’s just getting started. Next follows the complicated bit, the bit where the simplicity of a suit is shelved in favour of the fashionable/casual… Click here to continue.