Wardrobe 911 ®

We’ve been receiving lots of reader inquiries on what to wear to court appearances and the like, so we had to bring you some style inspiration and tips.

Female Readers Ask:

1. In November, I will be appearing in court to speak on behalf of a friend. This is a divorce case, and it is in a small southern town. I want to look professional, but not too dressed up.

2. I am a female private investigator and I need help with my wardrobe. What should I wear to pick up documents from attorneys or doing records search at courthouses. I want to be stylish but comfortable, sometimes I have to walk a ways from court buildings to other buildings downtown. I love skirts and need comfy shoes.

Wardrobe 911’s Style Prescription:

When attending a courtroom hearing or dealing with fellow attorneys at courthouses or law firms, looking neat, minimal and professional are key. Keeping your outfit appropriate and respectful are important in order to remain credible and trustworthy and not to exude excessive femininity.

You’ll want to consider wearing a skirt with a jacket or structured cardigan in subdued neutrals such as grays, camels, blues and blacks. Some courts are still very traditional and some older judges still believe that it is inappropriate for women to wear pants in court, so be cautious. JCrew has suits that include sleek updated pencil skirts and two-button jackets (not shown) with a “city” feel that aren’t too formal. We also like the mix and match appeal of the structured cardigan such as this one by BCBG. Definitely look for styles that match your personality and age. If you’d rather wear pants, the Super 120s line from J Crew also has trousers to mix and match with.

Avoid wearing denim or anything too casual. You have to respect the courtroom and/or firm, so dressing in anything other than a suit or structured separates may come off as disrespectful.  No short mini skirts or anything too fashion forward such as jangly jewelry and leggings.

Choose a top that works well with your suit. You can wear a button down shirt or an understated knit in soft neutrals such as eggshells and light blues if appearing in court. For those working in the legal industry, it’s still best to stay within the neutral colors, but you can do deep eggplants, tasteful teals and deep rust shades, as long as you have a jacket or structured cardigan to go over it (no bright or super-saturated colors).

Keep your shoes simple and classic. Try a comfy pump like this one by Sofft if you like wearing heels. You may also want to wear a nude hose or dark tights to play it safe and not show too much leg. Carry a professional looking tote or brief case, should you need to carry important documents or paperwork with you. Remember, looking understated and professional is most important. If this is all too stiff for you, try wearing something  fun that no one else can see like  sexy underwear or underpinnings in a fun color and style. 

Other Wardrobe 911 Tips:

1. Try to dress monochromatically. In doing so, you will blend in with other female attorneys in the courtroom or firm and you won’t attract any unnecessary attention to yourself. Remember, you don’t want to distract the listeners (i.e. judges, jury or lawyers) or male attorneys, nor take any credibility away from yourself.

2. Make sure you are groomed. Trim your nails and remove any bright nail color. If you have long hair, it is best to pull it back.

3. Have all items cleaned and pressed before wearing. Make sure shoes are polished and have no scuffs.

4. Keep make-up and jewelry minimal. You do not want to distract people from what you have to say or do.