As an attorney, you know that you only get one chance to make a first impression in the courtroom. Whether that impression is on a judge or a jury, it’s critical that your fashion is on point so that your complete image positively influences the people you need to persuade to be on your side. While many industries have become more flexible about attire, the law is not one of them. These five tips on female fashion in the courtroom will help you know how to dress for success.
Consider Neutral Colors
In most cases, you want to keep your outfit as neutral in color as possible. Bright colors will definitely call attention to you, but that isn’t always a good thing, particularly if you’re trying not to appear egotistical or pretentious. Instead, choose neutral colors like gray, black, navy blue, charcoal, light blue, tan, or white. However, you may want to add a splash of color, such as a blouse under a blazer, a necklace, or scarf just to break up the monotony of a neutral wardrobe. This will seem fashionable instead of boastful.
Choose a Suit
If you’re really nervous about what to wear in the courtroom, choose a suit. You can’t go wrong with a well-tailored skirt or pantsuit. You’ll want to choose one in a neutral color (as discussed above), but a suit jacket is easily paired with a colorful or patterned blouse that provides you with both a fashion statement and a professional appearance. A suit is completely unoffensive to anyone’s fashion sensibilities, so you know that no matter what else happens during the trial, your fashion sense will be above reproach.
Be Careful What You Show
While you should dress to reflect your personality, there are some caveats when it comes to attire in the courtroom. Be aware of skirts that are too short, form-fitting dresses, tank tops, and open sandals. These items of clothing can easily turn from appropriate to inappropriate extremely quickly. A fitted suit, for example, looks professional, but a form-fitting dress could be interpreted very differently. Of course, you don’t want to lose your personality by dressing in a way that is completely unlike you, but you need to be careful not to cross a line that can negatively impact your career. Additional tips may be found on this page where a Master Style Coach provides expert style advice for attorneys.
Choose Your Shoes for Comfort
There are plenty of stylish shoes on the market that look great, but cause immense foot pain, especially if you have to be on your feet a lot, like attorneys often do. Fortunately, there are also many shoe styles that are both comfortable and stylish. Take the time to research shoes and when you find a pair that is professional, stylish, and comfortable, buy a pair in every color they make. You simply cannot underestimate the importance of great shoes as an attorney.
Conclusion
In the end, go with your instincts. You have probably been inside a courtroom dozens of times by now and know which outfits have both positive and negative effects on a judge or jury. Just remember that you want to be judged on your abilities and arguments, not on your clothing. Make your choices based on this understanding and you’ll never go wrong.
