Ann Israel is the legal profession's Dear Abby. A New York legal recruiter since 1979, Ann is a past president of the National Association of Legal Search Consultants. Advice for the Lawlorn is updated every week.

Q: I just read the question regarding appropriate attire for an interview. I have a more specific question about a proper suit. I am a law student seeking employment for the upcoming year. Some of my fellow classmates have told me that a proper suit is of the same print both top & bottom. However, I have been unable to find suits that both fit well AND are of a consistent print. Some that I have found are, say, tan with navy pinstripes for the blazer with solid navy slacks. Is this a deal breaker?

Thank you,
Maggie B.

Dear Maggie: It's a funny thing (not ha-ha funny, just coincidentally funny), but I have been receiving a number of e-mails of late concerning proper dress for interviews. What's going on here? Have you all forgotten what is appropriate for an interview? Didn't any of you get lectures from your parents on what you should wear to church or synagogue or to the theater? Oh, I forgot -- those days are gone.

So, here I am, your surrogate mom, lecturing you on how to dress for those interviews ... and happy to do so because I truly do want you to make that right first impression. I don't want the interviewer to notice anything about you except for the fact that you are going to be the best hire the firm has ever made.

I have written about this before -- law firms are conformist institutions. The partners don't want to interview someone who doesn't look just like they do. So before you men go out and buy that fabulous Comme des Garcons suit or you women decide that you need to buy the latest bolded shoulder statement in suits, stop and think about what the partners are probably planning to wear to their interview with you.

I suspect you are about to meet with a sea of predominantly navy blue suits (both men and women) with crisp white shirts. And if you would like your interviewers to focus on what you are saying rather than what you are wearing, you would be well advised to dress similarly.

Now, I have searched magazines and the Internet and quite frankly, I cannot find the types of suits that you are finding. I don't know where you are shopping but I suggest that you go to some well-known department stores, such as Macy's, Lord & Taylor, Bloomingdales or Saks Fifth Avenue. You might want to ask for the personal shopper department for some help (and this service does not cost any money whatsoever); this way you are bound to find some traditional business suits that will not only fit well but will also give off the right first impression.

It seems to me that you have been finding casual sportswear-type clothing rather than business wear-type suits; having a professional shopper work with you will save you time and also help you focus in on exactly the type of suits that your fellow classmates have described as "proper."

And without having to worry about not having the right suits to wear on interviews, you can instead take the extra time you will now have to study up on the firms you are planning on meeting with and learning all about them. In doing so, you will have the best possible interview, both in terms of how you are dressed and how you are prepared. Best wishes!

Sincerely,
Ann M. Israel
President, Ann Israel & Associates