Whether you’re a fresh-faced associate or a rising star partner, your image speaks volumes (before you utter a word) in the cutthroat world of law; first impressions are paramount.
As such, the age-old question arises: “How do you style to project competence, trustworthiness, and authority?”
The answer lies in understanding the difference between “New Money” and “Old Money” styles and how to blend them strategically.
In this styling guide for lawyers, we’ll help you master this unique blend, avoid common pitfalls, and project the image you need to succeed.
Old Money is Timeless Elegance… With a Twist
The term “Old Money” evokes images of established families, inherited wealth, and a subtle, understated fashion elegance.
Old Money is the way of dressing and fashion style of those who have long been accustomed to privilege and project an air of effortless sophistication.
Old Money is about cultivating a sense of tradition and reliability; anyone can apply it to their image.
Think of Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, or Rothschilds, who projected such a strong sense of power and respect, as the foundations that made the legal profession what it is today.
Old Money Traits (and How to Adapt Them)
- Generational Wealth
Obviously, you can’t inherit wealth overnight. Instead, invest in timeless garments, footwear, and accessories that will last years, like a well-tailored suit or a quality leather briefcase.
- Discretion and Modesty
This translates to avoiding flashy displays of wealth. Skip the oversized logos and opt for subtle elegance.
Quality over quantity is the motto, favouring the “quiet luxury” aesthetic with clothes that fit you just right.
- Cultural Influence
Embrace knowledge and refinement. Knowing the history of classic menswear, the nuances of tailoring, and the art of selecting a fine watch will elevate your image beyond mere clothing.
- Steady Investments
Apply the ‘fashion as an investment’ principle to your wardrobe. Instead of chasing fleeting trends, invest in outfits that never go out of style and stand the test of time.
But what about New Money? How does it fit in?
“New Money” represents wealth earned within a single generation – the self-made success stories of our modern times.
Think tech entrepreneurs, innovative business leaders, or even influential figures in entertainment.
New money is defined by new perspectives, innovation, and creativity, signalling that you are ambitious, adaptable, and always looking for new opportunities.
The important thing is that New Money is built on the foundation of good taste. A tasteless outfit is not New Money, just bad style habits.
Remember that it is your personality that shines first; the clothes come second.
New Money Traits (and How to Use Them Wisely)
- Self-Made Success
New Money earners often build their fortunes from scratch. You’re already on that path, and your style can reflect your ambition.
- A Bold, Modern Lifestyle
The secret here is balancing boldness with professionalism. A modern watch, a stylish pair of glasses, or a slightly more daring tie can add personality without compromising your credibility.
- Embracing Technology
Incorporate tech-savvy accessories, like a sleek laptop bag or a smartwatch, with a classic design.
- Risk and Reward
Take calculated risks with your style. Experiment with different patterns, textures, or accessories, but always ensure they fit the context and your personal brand.
Lawyer’s Style Guide to Mastering the Two
For aspiring lawyers, the key is to skillfully blend Old Money and New Money elements to project an influential and trustworthy image.
This section breaks down specific garments and accessories, highlighting how to incorporate traditional and modern elements.
1. Outfit Foundation – Tailored Suits
The tailored suit is the cornerstone of any lawyer’s wardrobe and where the balance between Old and New Money can be most effectively struck.
Aim for quality and fit, as these are paramount to success; the cut can reflect New Money, while the overall tailoring should reflect Old Money.
To reflect that, the suit should be from the 20s, the roaring 20s, where music, dance, and fashion collided with elegance, sophistication, and power.
The Old Money Influence
Fabric
Stick to classic worsted wool in navy, charcoal grey, and potentially a subtle glen plaid.
Fit
Crucial, so invest in a skilled tailor to ensure a perfect fit.
Style
Two-button, single-breasted suits are versatile and timeless. A three-piece suit adds an extra layer of sophistication.
Brands
Suitsupply, Brooks Brothers, Spier & Mackay, or bespoke tailoring.
Mistake to Avoid
Ill-fitting suits, trendy fabrics, or overly bold patterns.
The New Money Twist
Opting for a suit with a slightly more modern cut or a subtle design detail that reflects individual style.
A bolder colour for your tie or pocket square can also showcase modernity and your own sprezzatura touch.
2. The Essential Dress Shirts
While suits project power, shirts display taste and provide the foundation for the tie and cufflinks.
Dress shirts must always be crisp and fresh and fit the neck perfectly so you can button them up.
The Old Money Influence
Fabric
Must be 100% cotton in Oxford cloth, broadcloth, or pinpoint Oxford.
Colours
Primarily white and light blue. Collar Style: Spread collar or point collar.
Brands
Charles Tyrwhitt, TM Lewin, Eton, or Turnbull & Asser.
Mistake to Avoid
Wrinkled shirts, ill-fitting collars, or overly casual fabrics like linen.
The New Money Twist
Choose a modern collar cut for your shirts in a bold but matching colour, like a very light grey.
3. The Power of Ties
While shirts display taste, ties reflect your personality. The main goal of wearing ties is always to showcase your style, confidence, and boldness.
A good taste in ties shows an understanding of colour coordination and contrast, meaning you are competent.
The Old Money Influence
Material
Silk with a substantial weight and a good knot.
Patterns
Solid colours (navy, burgundy, charcoal grey), subtle stripes (regimental stripes), or small geometric patterns.
Width
Proportional to the lapel width (3-3.5 inches). Brands: The Tie Bar, Drake’s, Hermès, or Charvet.
Mistake to Avoid
Novelty ties, overly trendy designs, or ties that are too short or too long.
The New Money Twist
A brighter-coloured, bold-patterned tie will add confidence to a neutral-coloured outfit.
4. Footwear – Classic and Professional
Footwear is where you show that you care, as every single detail is essential here.
Put it this way – if the suit needs to fit perfectly, footwear needs to be looked after and polished to a mirror shine.
A well-maintained pair of shoes is as essential as a successful trial.
The Old Money Influence
Styles
Oxfords (black leather for formal occasions), Loafers (brown or burgundy for a more relaxed look), and Monk Straps.
Material
High-quality leather polished to a shine.
Brands
Allen Edmonds, Meermin, Loake, Edward Green, or Gaziano & Girling.
Mistake to Avoid
Scuffed shoes, square-toe shoes, or overly casual footwear like sneakers.
The New Money Twist
A modern pair of designer dress shoes from a recognisable footwear brand like Christian Louboutin.
5. Accessories – Subtle Statements
Every accessory you wear shows that you know what you’re doing.
For example, your wristwatch will showcase not just elegance but also time management skills.
Your choice of wallets and cardholders will showcase your class, while eyewear (glasses or sunglasses) will show attention to detail and deep care.
In your profession, accessories are the first things your clients will notice while looking at you.
The Old Money Influence
Wristwatch
A classic dress watch with a simple dial, a leather strap, and a timeless design (Rolex Datejust, Omega Seamaster, or Nomos).
Belt
Always made of leather and in a colour that matches your shoes.
Cufflinks
Subtle, in precious metals like silver or gold, but according to your seasonal colour palette.
Pocket Square
Contrasting with the primary colour and folded.
Eyewear
Classic frames in black or tortoiseshell from renowned brands like Moscot.
Mistake to Avoid
Overly flashy watches, mismatched belts and shoes, or cheap accessories.
The New Money Twist
Colourful designer wallets and cardholders, such as the ones from Balenciaga or Louis Vuitton.
6. Grooming and Personal Presentation – Beyond the Clothes
While clothes reflect good taste and knowledge of style, grooming tells the world that you care about yourself.
Proper personal grooming, a classic but masculine hairstyle that projects discipline, and a subtle daytime, office-ready fragrance.
The Old Money Influence
Haircut
Old money haircuts, to create a neat and professional look.
Grooming
Well-groomed facial hair (if any).
Hygiene
Impeccable.
Mistake to Avoid
Unkempt hair, poor hygiene, or a sloppy appearance.
The New Money Twist
Invest in your personal grooming and hygiene by creating a weekly routine.
To add a touch of personal luxury, invest in a designer fragrance that matches your persona.
New and Old Money Styles Similarities for Harmony
Both the New Money and Old Money styles have several similarities that you can adopt to ensure you look not only classic, powerful, and imposing but also modern and relevant.
High Quality
Only purchase well-made garments, footwear, and accessories from reputable and relevant brands.
Match your Silhouette
Ensure that your clothes fit you perfectly.
Pay attention to Details
Pay attention to the small things that make a difference, such as polished shoes, a well-cleaned pair of glasses, a fresh hairstyle, and a clean shave.
The Bottom Line
As a young lawyer, your goal is to project competence, trustworthiness, and authority.
By understanding the nuances of Old Money and New Money styles, you can create a wardrobe that reflects your ambition, professionalism, and personal brand.
Don’t be afraid to blend the best of both worlds, but always prioritize quality, fit, and attention to detail.
After all, true style is not just about what you wear but also about how you carry yourself and the impact you make on the world.
Style Like A True Gentleman
Before we say goodbye, here’s one of the best-kept secrets in men’s styling circles, a secret that only a few expert image consultants know or are willing to share.
First and foremost, professional styling requires knowing your unique body shape and seasonal colour palette – paramount factors in choosing perfectly fitting clothes in colours that complement your skin, eyes, and hair.
Only then can a stylist engage in styling by occasion, location, season, and time of day, with garments, footwear, and accessories from stylistically relevant heritage fashion brands to depict high confidence and success.
Best part? You can find your body shape, seasonal colour palette, and ideal fashion style in less than 5 minutes by yourself, for free, thanks to our four simple steps:
1. Find Your Body Shape
Different garments flatter different silhouettes, so knowing your body shape is the first step in dressing like a confident man.
To find out your unique body shape, take our free body shape quiz for men.
Once you know your unique body shape, take the second free quiz to discover your unique colour palette.
2. Find Your Unique Colour Palette
Remember, the garments that compose your outfits come in various colours, and you must ensure that each hue complements your natural colour.
To do that, you have to find out your seasonal colour palette, and you can do it by taking our free seasonal colour quiz for men.
3. Find Your Ideal Fashion Style
By now, you should already know your body shape and unique colour palette; the next step is to discover your ideal personal fashion style.
The fastest and simplest way is to take our free fashion style quiz for men; it includes your ideal style, outfit ideas, relevant fashion brands, and much more.
4. Professional Image Consultancy with The VOU
And if you want to style like a professional, by occasion, location, season, and time of the day, you can always ask our expert image consultants and fashion stylists for help.
Our styling services for men are the most comprehensive and detailed on the market, backed up by leading stylists who will guide you step by step in creating looks that communicate affluence, elegance, and endless accomplishments.
Remember, wearing luxury brands isn’t enough; to look stylish, confident, and successful, you must first know your body shape, colour palette, and ideal personal style, and only then style by occasion, location, season, and time of day.
Contact us today to save headaches, time, and money – it’s time to dress like a confident, successful gentleman of exquisite fashion taste –Â the first styling assessment is on us!