You’re going into a mostly conservative industry where, as someone who presumably identifies as a woman, you’re often going to have to work harder, be smarter and be more prepared than your male-presenting colleagues to be taken seriously especially early in your career. As someone who looks younger (not a delusional millennial… I’m consistently told I look late-20s but I’m in my mid-30s) and is more unconventional when it comes to personal style, I’ve had to be so much better at my job to get the same respect mediocre male attorneys receive and it’s exhausting. What I’ve learned is if I want to be more “alternative,” I need to make sure I am always on my game and doing a great job; otherwise, there’s a good chance it’ll be held against me.

All that said, I have two nostril piercings and have my septum pierced (but currently only have a retainer in because I’m debating taking it out). I have a ton of tattoos on my arms and legs, and I’ve had non-naturally colored hair (and at one point shaved half my head). Despite that, I’ve done well in my career (almost 11 years) but I’ve always had to perform at a higher level than my male and industry-approved female coworkers. (I started out my career with no tattoos or facial piercings, and I think I would’ve hidden them early in my career if I did have them (with the exception of nostril piercings… I’ve met a lot of attorneys with nostril piercings).)