Ethan Leib at Prawfsblawg is wondering about wearing jeans when he teaches his class. . . . There's a rich variety of comments to the post that predictably converge nowhere.
The specific question about jeans isn't relevant to me, since I don't own a single pair of jeans. While I do show up in shorts and a T-shirt on the typical summer day (and truth be told, even right now, since I am on pretenure leave and therefore not teaching at all this semester), during the regular school year I tend to wear slacks, a button-down shirt, and a tie.
Once I wore a suit because I think I was doing a presentation for some event or other, and members of my Con Law I class asked me if I was trying to intimidate them. . . .
In any event, while I would be no doubt be more comfortable teaching in a T-shirt and, say, sweatpants, I don't dress that way for class for two reasons. First, my theory is that if I dress in a way that at least would satisfy a law firm's "business casual" dress code (which is what Munger Tolles was for most of the time I was there), it conveys the fact that I take teaching the class seriously. There may not be any connection between how I would teach based on how I dress, but the perception may be there.
Second, if I wear a T-shirt and shorts, I get mistaken for being another student. As has happened at various law school socializing events for incoming 1Ls. . . . Of course, I'm rapidly reaching an age when I can't even plausibly say that I'm in my mid-30s, so perhaps this second reason won't last much longer.
UPDATE: Prof. Althouse's thoughts about my choice of non-teaching apparel:
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Can't even begin to explain how absolutely wrong Althouse is on this one--absolutely, positively, 100 percent, 180 degrees completely wrong. So keep wearing those shorts, professor, and show those gams with pride!
Posted by: tom | August 25, 2005 at 01:00 PM
I think I have always commented on your t-shirt, shorts and baseball cap look when I did see one on you. Yeah you do look young...... but casual dressing conveys a lot more friendliness, and that is definitely welcomed at ILS too.
I always wore at least semi-business formal to work when I was interning this summer...... I would wear at least a nice skirt, that could be without the suit jacket. I did not once wear jeans even for Fridays....
I don't know, I feel better about work when I dress up. But that's just me. I am actually
Posted by: H. | August 25, 2005 at 03:57 PM
I think I have always commented on your t-shirt, shorts and baseball cap look when I did see one on you
Hmm, except I don't think I've worn a baseball cap while I've been at Iowa. . . .
Posted by: Tung Yin | August 25, 2005 at 04:26 PM
Actually, Prof Yin, I've seen you wearing a baseball cap at one of our RA meetings. Can't remember what team, though...it must've been the LA/Anaheim Angels.
Posted by: Mark | August 27, 2005 at 08:34 AM
Odd, I don't have an Angels cap. (Which is too bad, because I really liked the old Angels' logo, with the halo over the A.) I do have a Cal Berkeley baseball cap, but I don't think I've worn it here at Iowa, except maybe for a softball game.
Posted by: Tung Yin | August 27, 2005 at 08:59 AM
Style of dress matters, and clothing in American law schools should reflect good, traditional values. A tie with regimental stripes has a lot more class than a polo shirt or any other form of Apimp chic. Legal-academic attire should complement the majesty of the law. The world of law practice may be moving back to serious dress.
------------------
Alice
Guaranteed ROI
Posted by: Alice | October 09, 2008 at 11:57 PM