LEAVE THE SILK & BABY OIL LOOK FOR THE 29-YEAR-OLD RUNWAY MODEL FROM SOUTH BEACH, AND OTHER LESSONS ABOUT PROFESSIONAL DRESSING I LEARNED THE HARD WAY

I have been a lawyer since 1994. I have been going to Court on a daily basis since then, and work in a conservative business environment. I wear suits five days a week and in the past 14 years have developed some savvy in dressing. Not necessarily in finding cheap clothes but rather in using clothes to communicate. To connect with others quickly and positively. To make myself stand out in an effective and appropriate manner.

In a typical New York courtroom, where justice is meted out quickly if at all, it is easy to blend into the background in a flea market suit, indifferent white shirt and who-cares tie. It takes a bit of a risk, and some practice, to dress for excellence in such a rigid environment. It may be impossible to prove this, but over the past several years in which I have been dressing far better than need be (or can sometimes afford), I am now of the opinion that I get slightly better results than are expected.

Is it worth the time and money for only "slightly better results"? My career is everything to me. I was in school to the age of 25. I financed $150,000 in education. I can't imagine striving for average or achieving the minimum. I am a hero to my sons. And heroes don't wear ill-fitting suits, have bad manners or finish number two. What would Johnny Depp wear if he was an attorney? I think we know the answer.

I have worked in New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont and Utah over the past two decades and the rules do not change much from state to state. Once you have made a career choice it is the climate, more than anything else, which dictates what you wear.

Concept #1: You probably can't go wrong by dressing like the President. Watch the evening news. What does the President wear? A single-breasted navy or charcoal gray suit. You can't get in trouble in one of these. They suggest sobriety. And make sure it fits well, too. There is more to a suit than its color.

Concept #2: My wife is attempting to return to the work force after raising two children. It's been awhile. She continually has questions about how to present herself at an interview. Should she wear a suit? Should she wear perfume? How high should her heels be? Should she wear jewelry? Should she carry a briefcase? How many copies of her cover letter and resume should she bring? When should she bring

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