What to wear in court?

December 11, 2006 8:12 AM

How do I dress for court? I'll be a factual witness against the defendent, and may or may not be asked to answer questions, dependent on how everything goes - if I testify, my input is extremely important to the case. It's important that I appear (in both manner & dress) as respectful, calm, matter-of-fact (casually confident), honest, ladylike, etc. I am all those things, but...

The hearing is before an older male judge (age 50-60) in a small court serving a small rural county. I'm a woman in my early 40's, I rarely 'dress up' and I've never been into fashion - I'm 5'7" and still have what I call my 'mommy' figure, a few pounds overweight, nursing breasts, wider hips & a little belly.

I'm unsure if I should wear a skirt/dress, or not. And I have no clue what style or how to accessorize, which shoes, etc. I'm very nervous about my role in this hearing (I've never even been inside a courtroom & this is way outside my daily life as 'mom'). I know that if I feel confident and comfortable in my clothing, then I'll feel better about the whole thing.

To make it more complicated, the nearest 'nice' shopping I can get to this week is JC Penny's. Any help for me? Thank you.

posted by LadyBonita to clothing, beauty, & fashion (22 comments total)

I've never been to court, so I can't answer that part of the question. However . . .

JC Penny's often has great stuff on clearance. I got my last two interview suits there. Same brands as you'd find in other department stores, but marked down to like $23.
posted by necessitas at 8:18 AM on December 11, 2006

I'd suggest a simple women's dark business suit with a below the knee skirt and dark hose. That's standard courtroom attire for women, and readily available at Penny's.
posted by Burhanistan at 8:18 AM on December 11, 2006

First off, there typically is not a dress code per se in court for witnesses. If you are in front of an older judge in a rural town, he may be a little more traditional and treat you differently if he perceives you do not respect his court. But he isn't going to strike your testimony because you showed up in jeans.

That being said, your perceived credibility can be affected by how you dress. Would that it were not the case, but it is in reality.

My answer is 'dress conservatively.' That is what I always tell my witnesses. Dress like your going to your favorite person's wedding in a church.

Don't be flashy. You want people listening to what you say, not what looking at what you are wearing. Dull is fine.

Any dress that is basic and not flashy is a good thing. Don't have a basic dress? Slacks and a non-flashy blouse (jacket is fine too).

As far as accessories, again, you don't want people to be looking at your shoes or earrings. So wear whatever is understated.

As a female witness, you want to project the image that you are a good, upstanding, church-going type, even if you are not. Think Laura Bush.
posted by dios at 8:23 AM on December 11, 2006

Think "business casual" to "business" attire. Err on the more conservative end.
posted by raf at 8:24 AM on December 11, 2006

"Business casual" is just fine if you're appearing as a witness. A dress isn't needed, nor is a skirt. Honestly, a pair of slacks and a plain blouse will be just fine.
posted by gwenzel at 8:27 AM on December 11, 2006

I would say wear whatever you are most comfortable in - whether it be a nice business suit or a dress/skirt. JCPenney has a very nice selection of such wear and I think you'd be able to find something quite fitting and flattering there. Whenever I shop I like to look at the outfits on the manequins and copy that look. Stay neutral and not busy - no big patterns or the like. Stay simple. Simple earrings. Just keep it simple and nice. Classic styles are classic for a reason.

And if shopping for the right thing is difficult, have a friend help you - a friend that is style-savvy and honest.
posted by Sassyfras at 8:31 AM on December 11, 2006

If it really matters, wear the skirt. Laura Bush is the perfect model.
posted by Amizu at 8:31 AM on December 11, 2006

Thanks so much for all the quick suggestions! I'm busy looking at Laura Bush pics right now. A suit hadn't even occured to me. I feel better already - all the descriptive adjectives really help.
posted by LadyBonita at 8:42 AM on December 11, 2006

Having helped women in biz with similiar issues, I've found there are two items of clothing that typically help women feel and project confidence: a blazer/jacket (what it's over is less important) and a pair of heels (no matter how modest in height). There's a sense of armor about the jacket, and a sense of rising above with the heels. If you want to get really serious, pull your hair back and wear make-up that doesn't announce itself.
posted by thinkpiece at 8:48 AM on December 11, 2006

Other witnessing advice: be honest and respectful.

You will help your side the most by just being honest about everything. Understand that the only thing you are providing is credibility. The "other side" is going to do everything possible to destroy that.

If you try to argue for "your side" with how you answer questions, you will get eaten up. This always happens. Please understand this--and I mean no insult to you by it at all--but if the attorney is worth his salt, he will be smarter/better at this game than you are. I get thrilled whenever I have some witness for the other side who decides she/he is going to start lying/bending the truth/denying the obvious in an effort to help. I get thrilled because I know I can destroy her/him.

I just had some case where the wife of the plaintiff denied that her husband was "accident prone" when he had a dozen or so major accidents. She didn't want to admit it because she thought it would hurt her husband's case. And she kept doing things like this. By the time I got done with her, she had so little credibility that it was to believe her on how to spell her own name.

I say this because your question indicates that you think you might be important to the case. That may or may not be true, but you will not important to (and may indeed hurt) your friend's case if you go up there and lose all credibility, which will likely happen if the attorney is competent at all and you start being honest.

So, stay nice. Smile. Listen to the questions and answer them as honestly as possible. Don't think about the consequences of the answers. Just be honest and completely forthright.

I can tell you this because its not legal advice as your legal rights are not at stake here. But if you want to be a good witness, that's how.
posted by dios at 8:53 AM on December 11, 2006

Possibly completely unrelated anecdote. I am male, 45, and about 10 years ago, decided to fight a speeding ticket in rural Georgia. I was living in Atlanta at the time, and got nabbed in a speed trap on the way to Florida. Anyway...

When I was scheduled to appear in court, I showed up in a suit and tie (there were a few offenders in overalls and no shirts). While waiting for my case to be heard, a clerk asked me who I was representing (I guess they thought I was a lawyer). After pleading guilty, they reduced the infraction to an equipment violation, and a minimal fine. My mode of dress might not have had any effect, but I'm sure it didn't hurt.

My $.02; if you want to be taken seriously, dress "seriously" (i.e. professionally). Good luck!
posted by ObscureReferenceMan at 8:56 AM on December 11, 2006

You should be asking this question of the lawyer or prosecutor who is calling you as a witness. dios has excellent advice by the way.
posted by caddis at 9:02 AM on December 11, 2006

I agree with the conservative, non-flashy advice. If you don't have a skirt or dress that you want to wear, you can wear nice pants and a nice blouse/sweater/blazer. Think "basic" over "fashionable".

Wear something that fits well (isn't too tight or too loose, you don't want to be fussing with it or be thinking the whole time that you don't like how it fits). Wear something that is comfortable to sit in (so a skirt or dress that doesn't ride up, or pants that don't dig into the waist, a blouse that doesn't gap or tug, and of course no cleavage). If you want to buy a new outfit and you do, then test it for comfort. If you're sensitive to temperature, consider wearing (or bringing) a layer that you can take off or put on, depending on the temperature inside the courtroom.

If you're wearing a skirt or dress, tuck an extra pair of hose into your handbag, just in case you get a run. Bring a smaller bag if you can so you don't have to fuss with a big tote when you sit down.

If you bring a cell phone into the courtroom (some courts may not even let it into the courthouse), make sure it's off (ideally) or on completely silent (not even vibrate, since that makes a little noise). Don't pull it out and check it, even to see the time.

If you wear makeup, use a light hand. If you use lipstick, use a moisturizing kind, and/or wear lip balm (if your lips are dry, it will distract you).

Most of the above is just meant to make sure you are as comfortable as you can be. It sounds like you know the most important basics -- the details aren't as crucial.

No one is going to be nitpicking your clothing, I promise. Stay calm, and remember that you are there to tell what you know, as honestly and completely as you can. Don't think of it as being on a "side".

Show respect for the court, but keep in mind that it's not a magical place.
posted by KAS at 9:21 AM on December 11, 2006

Thanks again for the further advice. I have no personal stake in this case, no reason to 'help' either side except to state facts as I know them - however, my facts will not be in the defendent's favor. I'm a witness only, not a friend to either side.

The advice to answer without thinking of the possible consequences, is very valuable (the very idea relaxes me considerably - and takes away the self-imposed pressure that I'll mess up and look like a fool).

I don't meet with the prosecuter until the day before court, too late to ask for style advice ;)
posted by LadyBonita at 9:31 AM on December 11, 2006

Just saw your post KAS. Excellent advice for the little comforts - small purse, extra hose, no cell, being able to sit! Thanks very much.
posted by LadyBonita at 9:38 AM on December 11, 2006

I've done jury duty in my small rural community, and many jury members hereabouts might be somewhat put off by a non-lawyer dressed in a business suit (assuming you're supposed to be a regular civilian rather than expert witness). So I'd go for a simple but non-casual solid or striped blouse and a crisp-looking skirt or trousers. JC Penney informal career-type clothes should be just right.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:40 AM on December 11, 2006

Black sweater, pants, and shoes. Minimal jewelery (like a silver necklace, stud earings, a wedding ring), minimal make up. Be sure to be comfortable so you aren't thinking about your clothes
posted by Packy_1962 at 10:35 AM on December 11, 2006

Advice heard - I won't out-dress the lawyers. But no jury to worry about, just he Judge. All black is a good idea, though I may go with a blouse & jacket since it's cold outside (no need to drag a coat with along). Thanks!
posted by LadyBonita at 11:00 AM on December 11, 2006

laura bush is a great role model- her clothes, hair, and makeup are always neat and tasteful. she looks sensible, yet feminine (femininity is a good way to satisfy a conservative judge). the clean lines she chooses are good. nothing fussy.

the only laura bush trait to avoid is the pastel suits-- those lok great in photos, but are too bright for real life. choose colours that are more muted. i think gray, charcoal, and chocolate brown are best. black, brown or navy are good too. don't do beige, white, red, or easter-egg purple and aqua.

it's good to wear a coloured blouse, as long as the blazer is neutral. i think a grey suit with a blue or pink blouse would look nice.

pants are better than a skirt, you don't want to have to feel too fussy about how you sit.

wear heels- but low ones, maybe 1-2 inches- and match your trouser socks to the shoes.

as for jewelery, go for small earrings. and no more than one ring. as much as possible, keep your hands in the table in view of the jury- it will make you seem more trustworthy.

i had to go to court recently, and i knew the prosecuting attorney was a jerk. i was terrified i'd get snarky and lose credibility. so i got my first manicure ever, and made a point of keeping my hands folded on the table. seeing my ladylike hands reminded me to act like a lady, and the trial turned out in my favour.

you know, the very fact that you care this much suggests you're the kind of person who's smart, thoughtful, detail-oriented, and open-minded, which means you'll do great.
good luck!
posted by twistofrhyme at 3:28 PM on December 11, 2006

My favorite "uniform" for female lay witnesses was a skirt and blouse set with a muted pattern, or lightly patterned (subtle floral, small pinstripes) skirt with plain matching blouse, topped with a neutral blazer. No shiny fabric, no big plaids or metallic trims, browns, burgundies, greys, very dark purples/reds/foresty greens, no bright or pastel colors. Nude or suntan hose, not black, and low heeled pumps. Very minimal jewelry, no necklace, no rings other than the wedding set, small stud or non-dangling earrings. Conservative hair, pulled back if it was long with a plain barrette or comb. Not wedding attire, more like the stereotype of a Sunday school teacher or librarian.
posted by Dreama at 4:25 PM on December 11, 2006

Thanks very much everyone, for the advice and kind words. I ended up buying dark gray trousers, a thin black sweater jacket, and a very feminine light blue striped blouse. And black low-heeled shoes with matching socks & belt. I had great fun shopping, found many items I really liked and that fit well (not as in the past few years, fashion styles must be changing!).
posted by LadyBonita at 11:57 AM on December 12, 2006

sounds great! glad it all worked out.
posted by twistofrhyme at 11:02 PM on December 26, 2006