When you represent yourself or come to court with a lawyer, you must appear professional. You should not wear shorts, ripped jeans, and transparent T-shirts. However, just imagine that you are going to church or for a job interview for a position in the office. Judges generally want you to dress conservatively. He may give a negative assessment if the style you display does not match the atmosphere of the court.
Step
Method 1 of 3: How to Dress Appropriately for Men
Step 1. Put on long pants and a shirt
If your pants have room to tuck your belt in, use leather soap. Make sure you tuck your shirt into your pants to make it look neat and polite.
- The shirt you wear must have a collar – not a t-shirt or tank top. Try to look for button-up long sleeve shirts. If you don't have one, wear a polo shirt, but make sure it's been washed to make it look clean.
- You must wear a tie along with a shirt. Show a neutral appearance. Solid colored, neatly patterned ties are best. Avoid using “funny” ties – ties with Santa Claus, naked women, etc. If you have a blazer, wear it too.
- Avoid wearing baggy pants, shorts, pants that are worn below the waist, and ripped jeans.
Step 2. Find the right shoes
Wear loafers if you have them, not sneakers. Wear socks too. Make sure your socks are the same color as your pants or shoes. Avoid using flashy colors, such as red.
- Don't try to wear sandals or flip-flops.
- If you don't have loafers, borrow them from someone else. Otherwise, wear black sneakers that look like loafers from afar.
- In Texas, United States, you can wear cowboy boots. However, people outside the state may not wear it to court.
Step 3. Shave facial hair
Comb your hair and trim any unkempt beards or mustaches. If you scratch your skin while shaving, try to stop the bleeding before coming to court. Don't show up at court with a piece of tissue over your face to stop the bleeding.
- Men should look conservative hairstyles. Wash off your hair dye if it's an unnatural color (such as blue or green).
- If, for religious reasons, you have long hair and beard, there is no need to shave it. You do not need to shave the hair or beard. However, dress as neatly as possible. Even if your religion forbids shaving of beards, you should understand that judges may find it odd.
Step 4. Prioritize comfort
Whatever the dress choice, make sure you are comfortable, especially if you are scheduled to testify at trial. Judges will be aware of people's uncomfortable behavior. You don't want this gesture to be misinterpreted as a sign of lying.
Step 5. Be careful with trademarks
In some countries, certain trademarks are associated with criminal gangs. This is not the impression you want to make in front of a judge.
For example, a judge might associate brands like Timbaland and Sean John with criminal activity. It's best not to wear that brand of clothing when you're in court
Step 6. Discuss appropriate attire with your attorney
Wearing long pants and a tucked-in shirt is generally the recommended suit, regardless of the type of trial you're in. However, your attorney may recommend a different attire, depending on the situation. You should talk to a lawyer to determine the appropriate attire based on the situation at hand.
- For example, if you are present at a criminal trial, you may need to wear a suit. The more you look like part of a classy society, the better.
- If you are charged with alimentation, you may be able to come to court in a casual dress. This will show that you are financially limited and cannot pay for the alimentation of your ex-spouse.
Method 2 of 3: How to Dress Appropriately for Women
Step 1. Wear a pencil skirt or trousers and a blouse
Skirts should ideally not be too short and should be at least 6 cm below the knee. Don't wear miniskirts or skirts that are too tight. The pants used must also be long pants, not capris pants.
- Pair your skirt or pants with a formal blouse or shirt. You can also use clean warm clothes.
- Instead of wearing pants or a skirt, you can wear a dress. Make sure the dress you are wearing is not too revealing and there is no slit in the thigh. Make sure the dress worn is not a cocktail dress or clothes that are too sexy. If the dress shows sleeves or shoulders, pair it with a sweater or shirt.
Step 2. Choose good shoes
Don't wear flip-flops or sandals. Avoid using sneakers. However, wear good shoes. Your shoes don't have to be heels. If your shoes are heels, make sure the heels are not too high.
Step 3. Check the fit of your clothes
The clothes you wear should fit your body, but not be too sexy. Depending on what's in your wardrobe, you might have a hard time finding the right one. Basically, if you're wearing an outfit you wore to a club or a date, it probably wouldn't be appropriate to wear to court.
- You can't wear sexy clothes. Don't wear shorts or clothes that are too tight. Pay attention to the top cut of the clothes worn. You're not trying to seduce a judge.
- Imagine what your grandmother would say if she saw the clothes you were wearing. If Grandma finds it inappropriate, the judge may think so too.
Step 4. Trim your hair
Avoid the "messy" hair look. However, make sure your hair doesn't cover your face. You can tie your hair in a ponytail or tie it up. Use bobby pins and barrettes, if needed, to keep hair from covering your face.
Of course, if you need to use a barrette or bobby pin, wear one that's inconspicuous. Boring shapes are best. Don't wear hair clips with "Hello Kitty" or barrettes encrusted with jewels
Step 5. Wear natural makeup
You don't have to wear makeup at all if you don't want to. Just wash your face. If you want to wear makeup, don't be too flashy.
The same goes for nails. Avoid using artificial nails made of acrylic or nails with flashy colors. You have to make it clear that you are part of a well-behaved ordinary society
Method 3 of 3: Getting Rid of Accessories
Step 1. Avoid wearing large or flashy jewelry
The jewelry you wear should not stand out or make a noise when you move. For this reason, you should not wear a bunch of bracelets that rub against each other when moving your hand. You also have to remove the change from the pocket. Anything that makes a loud noise when you walk should be removed.
The less jewelry you wear, the better. Apart from watches and wedding rings, you may not need to wear any other piece of jewelry
Step 2. Cover the tattoo and piercing
Remove the nose ring or other earrings that are placed on your face. Anything that appears "unique" or "different" should not be worn to court. If you can't get your earrings off, try covering your ears with hair. You can use a substitute for jewelry to fill the piercing hole.
Cover the tattoo with clothes. Long-sleeved clothes can cover tattoos on the arms, while trousers can cover tattoos on the legs. If you have a tattoo on your face or neck, wear makeup to hide it
Step 3. Take off your hat
Hats may not be worn in the courtroom; this is considered disrespectful. If, for religious reasons, you wear a head scarf, turban, cap, or other head accessory, that's usually fine. However, courts usually don't allow you to wear a full-face veil when testifying before a judge. You should consult a lawyer if you want to wear a face covering to court.
Also, take off your sunglasses when you enter the courtroom unless there is a medical reason that requires you to wear them. If you need to wear sunglasses for medical reasons, bring a note from your doctor regarding this
Step 4. Leave your phone in the car
Do not bring any instrument that can make a sound into the courtroom. Check your watch to make sure it doesn't ring at certain times.
Step 5. Don't reveal your political affiliation
Since you can't give a judge a reason to dislike you, don't wear any attributes that suggest political views or other affiliations. As much as possible, avoid wearing clothes with political parties, membership rings, or religious symbols.
Tips
- Do not wear clothes with sensitive text or images. Clothing that contains pornographic elements or inappropriate images will make the judge dislike you.
- Make sure the clothes you wear are clean and tidy. If necessary, wash your clothes first to remove any stains or creases.
