A survey of the largest corporate law firms paints a pretty monotone picture: a sea of black and grey suits worn by blonde-, brown-, and black-haired lawyers. If any lawyers have blue or purple hair, we haven’t found them. But does that mean it’s impossible to sport punk-coloured hair at a big-firm interview?

Not necessarily. Like most things in law, it depends. “I think it’s important for students to know that it’s okay to be yourself,” says Nancy Stitt, the director of student programs at Goodmans LLP.

But even if the legal profession isn’t as ultra-conservative as many students think, there are some rules. In a job interview, you don’t want your hair to be too distracting, says Shannon Leo, who runs the associate and student programs at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Your face is, after all, a focal point. If the shade of your hair is a subtle rose, for instance, it will be less intrusive than an in-your-face hot pink.

Leo also notes that some firms would be more likely to accept punk-coloured hair — in entertainment or tech, for example, where the clients are less formal.

For the record, there are no lawyers with pink, blue or purple hair to be found at either Goodmans or Cassels. But as more individual styles emerge in the legal profession, this very well may change. Stitt has noticed a trend toward accepting unique personal styles. And she thinks it’s great.

If having coloured hair is part of your DNA, here’s how to do it without jeopardizing your career:

Do your due diligence

Before you interview at a firm, scan the lawyer-bio pictures on firm’s website. “Lawyers tend to dress more conservatively for their pictures,” says Leo, “but this may give you a sense of how contemporary the firm is.” And at the firm tour, you can chat with recruiters and students to understand the vibe of the firm. Both Stitt and Leo also suggest reaching out to current summer students to ask what they think is acceptable.

Keep it tidy

Having unkempt, frizzy hair looks bad no matter what colour it is. But dying takes a toll on your hair, increasing the likelihood of split ends and overall frizzy-ness. So make sure you keep it in good shape and style it appropriately for your interview. (This means keeping it tame and not obstructing your face.)

Don’t dye your hair — yet

If you’re worried and want to play it safe, put the dye on hold until you get the job. Once you get a feel for the office vibe you can decide if it’s OK to dye. After you’ve developed goodwill with your colleagues and clients, it may be easier for them to accept your personal style.