The Emperor’s New Clothes?
If all the news about lawyer layoffs has gotten you thinking about career alternatives, here’s a business idea for you. From the ABA Journal:
Being well-dressed costs money. But for a lawyer, looking tailored and professional in an attractive, well-fitting suit is a worthwhile investment, Tony and Tara Costanzo say.That message has put the 30-something married couple in business, helping several hundred clients including numerous lawyers in the New York area, order the right clothes without ever having to shop for them….
The Costanzas will meet busy clients as and where needed, and once held a clothing consultation in a courthouse restroom. Then they order the right clothes, in the right size. Ready-made suits start at just under $500; custom-made suits begin at close to $1,000 for men and $1,500 for women.
In the middle of a recession, the Costanzos — no relation to George — somehow have hordes of poorly-dressed attorneys willing to pay exorbitant prices for consultations in courthouse lavatories. When the going gets tough, the tough get new wardrobes.
Our tipster remains skeptical:
It seems as though the fashion bar would be much lower these days. After all, your adversaries are probably so worried about losing their jobs that they are likely to be wearing last year’s fashions — or other horrifyingly dated apparel, like a suit from back in the days when men were boldly exploring “skinny pants.”I have a better idea: let’s take Michelle Obama’s self-congratulatory lead and start a recession-friendly wardrobe consulting business, to dress the desperate — but still fashion-conscious — in bargain finds from J. Crew and the Gap.
We leave you with a fashion tip for these troubled times: when it comes to skirt length, go long.
(Or maybe not? See these musings from our little sibling site, Fashionista.)
Consultant Helps Harried Lawyers Avoid Attorney Wardrobe Malfunctions [ABA Journal]
Attorney Wardrobe Malfunctions: Experts Offer Tips on Debugging the Dress Code [NYLawyer.com (registration required)]
Costanzo Clothiers [official website]
(60) Comments
Comments
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worthless
First
first
first
Constanzo, not Constanza.
first
first
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All I want for Christmas is my bonus!
first to say first
First!!!!
They do have good wardrobe tips:
http://www.costanzoclothiers.com/Ward_Tips.htm
From the wardrobe tips:
"Always hang your coat on a curved hanger to allow it to breathe and return to its original shape. "
Yes. And use wooden hangers too.
No Wire Hangers!!!
How much do the "exorbitant" consultations cost? I hope you're not referring to the $1000 for a suit. By the end of your first year, everyone in biglaw should have a nice $2k suit in their wardrobe.
George was a Costanza, not a Costanzo. So, yeah, no relation. Dumbass.
worst. article. ever.
Llyod Braun is their top salesman.
SURRENDER ME NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone might want to inform "tipster" that skinny suit cuts are back in fashion now
Surrender me now?
Thanks Trig.
Serentity now.
Ladies: If you have to ask a friend if your outfit is too slutty for work, the answer is Yes.
Keep up the good work!
Surrender me now?
Thanks, Trig.
Serentiy Now!
Partially seconding # 15. $500 for off-the-rack and $1k for custom-made is not "exorbitant" -- it's unrealistically cheap (and will get you a shitty suit).
16 - That was obviously a joke, since George Costanza is a fictional character. Dumbass.
20/22- you might want to lay off the implication that another poster is mentally deficient, seeing as how you're twice managed to screw up the spelling of "serenity."
just sayin'.
**of course, if you're trolling, then well played, sir.
ESPN Night Game Saturday - The Tide rolls on the Miss St. Bulldogs. Line is 22 points Alabama. Parlay Alabama to cover and the over.
RRRROOOOOOOOOLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!!!!!
The guy on their website looks like the Commish -- of the More Taste League.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLNIasXCJxk
Will this help my itchy Kuato?
NYC UA Alums to Brother Jimmy's!
RMFT Y'all!
15 - $2k for a suit, as an associate? I am willing to bet your saving account (if at all existent) is smaller than your self-esteem.
Why does somebody on hear keep talking about rolling their period? That is gross. Get a life, girlfriend.
Someone should tell Igoe about this opportunity to upgrade his warddrobe
The testimonials on their website are nice:
http://www.costanzoclothiers.com/Testamo.htm
Might be worth looking into their services.
why would anyone waste money on clothes when their jobs is in jeopardy?
How does this effect my itchy Kuato?
Is this a paying sponsor?
30: I'd rather have a small savings account than shop at Men's Warehouse.
-15
SHE DOESN'T HAVE A HEAD!!!!
Kiddies -- don't believe the hype
There is no guarantee of employment in Big Law
Count on a couple of years
George was "Constanza" not "Costanzo." Way to use those sharp analytical skills you no doubt honed at your Ivy League school, dumbass.
George was "Costanza" not "Costanzo." These people are "Costanzo" not "Costanza." Way to use those sharp analytical skills you no doubt honed at your Ivy League school, dumbass.
Since when did Brooks Brothers, Nordstrom and J.Crew and Jos. A. Banks become "unrealistically" cheap? I know DC isn't exactly known for being fashion-forward but I don't see many $2K custom suits at work...
did they pay for this PR?
nervously buys 5 $2k suits in hopes of getting a V5 offer on 12/1
-nervous T10 1L
Mystal to 190Kilos!
Elie, I hoped you held out for at least a full dozen Krispy Kremes as payola for posting this inane piece of bullshit. Who cares about the lameass, superficial Costanzos and their custom clothing services? Even though lawyers wear clothes, THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LEGAL INDUSTRY!!! WE. DO. NOT. CARE.
Must be a slow day on the WSJ law blog if you can't crib anything better than this.
ATL sucks, alas.
That chick in the picture looks like she wants it. Naughty girl.
I get made fun of when I wear a tie to work sometimes for being over-dressed.
I guess its a patent thing.
48 -- you get made fun of for being a tool.
• Dry cleaning your ties will ruin them; use a spray-on guard like Scotchguard.
Unless you send your filthy ties to these guys: http://www.tiecrafters.com/
49 - Nah, they are all tools also. Thats a given in the field.
EMPLOYED tools, but still tools.
Guys at my high school used to give high-priced sartorial advice in the bathroom all the time, it was no big deal.
http://www.break.com/index/fat-kid-cardio-work-out.html
46 and others: If you took the time to look above, you'd see Lat posted this article, not Elie.
Not that I'm an Elie fan, I find his errors to be pretty unforgivable. Just suggesting you wait for the correct time to unleash the fury.
I think 48 works in my office
$2000 may be worth it for a suit, but i'm not sure if they're prices are worth it for the shirts. anyways, you can just order your own online, at a site like www.propercloth.com without having to creepily stalk courthouse bathrooms.
$2000 may be worth it for a suit, but i'm not sure if they're prices are worth it for the shirts. anyways, you can just order your own online, at a site like www.propercloth.com without having to creepily stalk courthouse bathrooms.
no freaking associate need spend 2K on a suit.
no one who matters cares what the associates are wearing so long as the look neat and presentable.
save your money, but the sales at jos a bank, and worry about your work product. you work at a firm, not a tranny bar or wherever these freaks are found.
$2k for an associate's suit is ridiculous for 93% of the people that read this site. For the other 7%, more power to you.
"surrender me now" was hilarious, btw. douche.
For the people working a 160k job, a 2k suit is fairly reasonable. Put it on your credit card and it's going to be about $170 a month for a year. It really will help with meeting with big patners or the rare clients.