What to wear to a lunch meeting/interview? Forum

[pineappletoday]

For the past few months, I have been emailing with an alumni from my school who is a partner at a firm in my home city. He has invited me to have lunch with him and and the other managing partner when I am home over the holidays. Should I wear a suit to this lunch or something slightly more casual? I am a 3L looking for post-grad employment. The firm was hiring a lateral a few months ago. This is how I came into contact with the alum as I applied for the position despite still being in school. He liked my resume and asked me to keep in touch over the coming months but warned me they wouldn't be sure of their hiring needs (that was a few months ago).

Should I assume this is more of networking lunch and therefore a little more causal? Or more like an interview and therefore more formal? I will obviously prepare as if it's an interview with copies of the resume, writing sample, etc. But I don't want to be over or under dressed. Thanks!

[deference]

Always err on the side of being overdressed. Looks more like an informational interview but I'd go in in business attire but perhaps do away with the tie the lighten it a tad bit given that it's a lunch.

[LaLiLuLeLo]

Depends where this is. In LA I wouldn’t dress up for a lunch. Now that it’s winter there’s probably a way to look good (e.g. a nice sweater, dark pants) without wearing a suit. That’s what I’d do.

[SFSpartan]

Depends on your home city. Miami, LA, SF, Seattle, etc. - I wouldn't dress up for lunch (button up and dark pants is fine). Other places, you might consider it. Just think about the culture of your home city and do what feels right.

[QContinuum]

Always err on the side of being overdressed. Looks more like an informational interview but I'd go in in business attire but perhaps do away with the tie the lighten it a tad bit given that it's a lunch.

Agree. At minimum, I'd do business casual. Most definitely don't wear jeans or a T-shirt or anything. The partners may not mind casual wear, but even if so, they wouldn't look down on an aspiring applicant for dressing to impress.