You must look like the epitome of integrity, reliability and loyalty. Let the judge be ashamed of offending an angel like you.
Life is not predictable … Can appearance and clothing tilt the cup of justice in one direction or another?
There are places where making a good first impression is as important as interviewing a potential employer or meeting your spouse's parents. For example, a courtroom.
There are places where making a good first impression is just as important as interviewing a potential employer or meeting your spouse's parents. For example, a courtroom. And yet, even there, you can find striking examples of inappropriate clothing style. And sometimes not only plaintiffs, defendants or witnesses sin this, but also professional lawyers. Frayed jeans, T-shirts, tattoos, bright makeup - all these should be excluded, writes The Wall Street Journal.
Can appearance and clothing tilt the cup of justice in one direction or another? I would like to think not. In the end, there are clear circumstances of the case, facts. But psychologist and consultant Richard Waites says that in justice not everything is only "black" and "white", but mostly - "gray."
The California judge admitted that she takes into account both the appearance and the style of behavior of those who were brought before her trial. Unkempt clothing can be an additional argument in father's negligence proceedings against children. Likewise, a plaintiff who claims to be in financial trouble will undermine her own position in the case if she comes to the meeting in an expensive outfit.
Jury trials can be even more critical, especially if, during the many hours of the trial, there is nowhere to direct your gaze but to the participants in the trial. According to lawyer Patricia Glaser, who has represented the famous investor Kirk Kerkorian in court, the jury notices everything: the wedding ring, and which side you have a part on, and whether you clean your shoes well. Equally, they will note whether you are on time.
The courts have their own rules of etiquette both in matters of behavior and in the choice of wardrobe. Quite rarely, judges will apply any sanctions. But when that happens, it becomes the topic of the day. For example, in May in the United States, a woman was detained for contempt of court over an inscription on a T-shirt that a judge found offensive, news agencies reported.
If we need to go to court, most of us will try to appear as the embodiment of integrity, reliability and loyalty. Divorce lawyer Stacy Phillips has had occasion to offer his belongings to improperly dressed clients on his way to court.
A still from the Soviet feature film Gentlemen of Fortune. It's also important to think about the less obvious cues your look and wardrobe might carry. While a business suit is a good option in most cases, there may be times when it doesn't work. According to Phillips, once in a child custody case, she advised her client, a high-ranking executive, to give up a strict dark business suit.
Even ties are not always good. There were cases when Glaser recommended that clients not wear ties, because if this is not a familiar part of their wardrobe for them, then during the process they will feel constrained and insecure.
For women, according to the majority of judges, trousers of a conservative cut are quite acceptable, like skirts or dresses. Yet all the judges and lawyers said they preferred skirts themselves. Many argue about pantyhose, but a lady in pantyhose will definitely not meet any questioning glances in her address, while bare legs can cause a negative reaction.
Nina Garcia, author of What To Wear Where, which provides advice on what clothes are appropriate in what circumstances, says that sheer fabrics, deep cutouts or flashy patterns, mini and bright makeup are absolutely not recommended in court. … You should choose conservative textures and styles, things are better to prefer "ethical" brands.
