What to Wear to Court

When I started writing the first blog for the Heft Law website, I realized that it would be more fun to write a “fashionista” blog than a law blog.  So for that reason, I am going to combine the two for this particular blog. Surprisingly, fashion and law can coincide.

My family law clients have often asked me what to wear to court for their court appearances.  While at first blush, this seems like a frivolous question, I think this is a very intelligent question.

The answer is: Dress as if you are going to a funeral.

I know that many lawyers tell their clients to dress up for court, probably meaning do not show up at court in your dirty ripped jeans (even if they are cool).  The problem is: what does it mean to “dress up” for court for different people.

A few days ago, I was sitting in the courthouse and a family entered, obviously to attend at a family hearing of some sort.  One family member was wearing a floor length sequined-adorned dress in a vibrant shade of blue…..perfect for an after-party of a Drake concert.  Her friend or family member was wearing a dress at least three sizes to small and about 5 inches too short.  This is NOT court attire.

The guiding principle is: dress to show that you have RESPECT for the court, for its jurisdiction, for the judge and for all the court personnel who are there to serve and/or assist you. Do not be fooled though, how you dress will not decide your case, but at a minimum, at first instance, you will present well and perhaps, because we are all human, judges too, you will be judged favourably by virtue of your show of of respect.  On the other hand, a show of disrespect will not work in your favour!