What You Can Wear At Weil

It’s hot. It’s sticky. It’s summer time.

That means it’s time for law firm HR departments to send out their annual summer fashion memos. Otherwise, associates might start showing up to work in bikinis and speedos. Because after a long winter spent hibernating under fluorescent lights, packing on the cold-month pounds, that’s exactly what law firm associates want to do…

Weil Gotshal & Manges sent around a flyer to its associates today, with the subject, “Reminder: New York Office Guidelines on Business Casual Attire.” It lays out Fashion Dos & Don’ts for its associates. Happily, the bulletpoint list of “Unacceptable” attire is actually longer for men than it is for women.

The list doesn’t seem to be season-specific, as both genders are forbidden from wearing “hiking/snow boots” this summer.

So what can they wear?

Here are the guidelines for women. Leave those bareback dresses at home, ladies:

Not too bad. Capris and open-toed shoes will fly there (but you might be pushing it with shoes that are both open-toed AND open-heeled). On the other hand, it’s a little disturbing that Weil has to actually spell out that “flats” are okay. It’s good to know, I suppose, that you’re not required to wear spine-damaging heels to work every day.

Here are the guidelines for men. Editor’s note: Man on left in creepy blend-into-his-skin sweater is a “Fashion Don’t”:

Yay. No prohibition on chest hair!

Enjoy the short sleeves until September, boys. Lucky women — they can go sleeveless all year long…

Well, except when clients are around, says Weil:

Apparently, Weil doesn’t respect the right to bare arms.