What should I wear to court?

This is an age-old question and more complicated than one would think. So many things come into play when getting dressed for Court. The “armor” you choose says a lot about you, the question becomes what you want to reveal. First off, you need to be yourself; however, some of us (myself included) express ourselves through our clothes. This may be fine for everyday but for Court, you don’t want your story to play second fiddle to your wardrobe.  The old guard would have their clients dress like either librarians or paupers in an effort to garner sympathy from a judge or to prove they need more support or cannot pay support. Today’s judges are savvier; they see right through those old tricks.  Its important to dress in an way that is authentic to you.  Someone seeking to divide millions of dollars shouldn’t come to court in ratty clothing because doing so can affect their credibility with the Court.

Clothing also serves as the armor we wear to face the world. In court, our armor becomes even more important. Especially in cases where one party has been abused (mentally, emotionally, or physically) or has been marginalized in the marriage, facing their abuser in court can seem daunting. In these situations, I have had clients meet with a personal shopper, hairdresser/barber and/or stylist to get the client ready to face their ex in court with a new attitude both inside and out to further let it be known that times have changed and so have they.

The most important thing when deciding what to wear is to be true to yourself . Whether its how you have always dressed or the new you, the confidence the right clothes give you will shine through, impact your testimony and court presence so don’t take the decision lightly. Discuss options with your attorney and listen to their advice; after all, that’s what you’re paying them for.