When US firm Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft decided its staff could dress down full-time, it enlisted client Ralph Lauren to advise its lawyers on what to wear.

The Diary is keen for this to be followed in the UK, now that Allen & Overy has decided to follow the ‘smart-casual trend’ full-time. After all, Clifford Chance could choose between Laura Ashley, Matalan or, together with Ashursts, Debenhams.