If you need to make an appearance in court, the way you present yourself can directly impact the outcome of your case.
Dressing professionally is very important for showing the judge that you care. The importance of a first impression should never be overlooked because you may only have one chance to make a good one.
Below are a few good reasons why putting in the effort to dress appropriately will make a big difference when you show up to court. The last thing you want to do is ruin your chances because of a simple wardrobe mistake!
Your Appearance Makes the First Impression
One thing that cannot be denied is that your appearance plays a huge role in making the first impression.
The way you look, how you carry yourself, the clothes you wear, and the emotions you display all create your outward appearance.
Whether they intend to do so or not, it only takes a fraction of a second for others to form an impression about who a person is. Others will form an opinion based on your appearance because that’s just the first source of information they have to draw from.
This means that the only way you can influence the impression you give others in court is by doing your best to soften your appearance beforehand.
You don’t need to make drastic changes to impact how you look. Instead, this can be as simple as wearing the right clothes and behaving sincerely.
Much of a first impression is formed from your face and the expressions you make, but this is not the only thing that matters.
In court, you are entering a professional environment that requires adherence to a specific dress code. Lawyers and attorneys will dress in suits and the judge typically wears a robe.
If don’t “dress up” to this same standard, it can show that you just don’t care about the situation or the court itself. Even if this is not the case, you do not want the judge to assume this is the case for their first impression of you.
This Can Impact How You Are Perceived
It is important to pay attention to your appearance because you will be treated differently based on how you look.
One problem with this is that many judgments are based on personal biases others have. Much of this stems from stereotypes held in society.
If you’ve ever seen someone wearing their pants extremely low, then you might get the impression that this person is lazy and foolish. This is because of the stereotype associated with this clothing choice.
Not all people with sagging pants are lazy and foolish, but that impression can certainly be hard to shake. Perhaps they simply can’t afford a belt or better-fitting clothing.
Information like this won’t be something you have, so you can only form a first impression from what you directly see.
Perception is not always reality, but the harsh truth is that the impression you give off will cause people to form judgments about who you are. This is why it is important to pay attention to your appearance and what others may think about it.
Dressing Well Shows You Care
Failing to put effort into your appearance can yield disastrous results in court. On the other hand, taking the time to ensure that you are wearing professional and situation-appropriate clothing can help others to form positive judgments about you.
We mentioned earlier that failing to meet the court’s dress code can give the impression that you don’t care. However, putting in the effort to present a clean, respectable, and professional appearance can have the opposite effect.
Dressing well can show that you are taking the situation seriously and that you care about what happens. In some cases, there’s a good possibility that you won’t be taken seriously in the first place if you don’t care to dress well.
The thing about your appearance is that it communicates an unspoken message to the courtroom. You want this message to fully align with how you feel and think, so this is a time to dress the part.
Additionally, sporting a respectable outfit will also make you feel more confident.
If you’ve ever gone to the grocery store in sweats and no makeup, then you likely rushed through and hoped that you didn’t run into anyone you know. This is because you know that your appearance is not at its best, meaning that you don’t feel as confident about yourself compared to when you do wear makeup and nice clothes.
Unfortunately, other people do notice the way you are dressed and will make judgments about it. This is part of why you don’t feel as confident dressed down because on some level you know that you will be treated differently because of it.
This same line of thinking applies to how you look when you show up to court. Dressing well will show others that you care, feel good, and have nothing to hide.
Things to Avoid
If you aren’t completely sure about what to wear, try to envision what you would put on to a business dinner or interview. When in doubt, lean towards overdressing rather than underdressing.
Here are a few important wardrobe choices to avoid when you show up to court:
- Scandalous clothing like low-cut blouses and skirts.
- Jeans, sweats, and yoga pants.
- Flip flops, tennis shoes, and high heels.
- Tank tops, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.
- Excessive jewelry.
- Bright colors (or all black).
Your best choice is going to be a dress suit, but a nice sweater and slacks will also do the trick. Avoid drawing attention to yourself while showing that you’re a woman with a smart nose for business attire.
Closing Thoughts
When you attend your court hearing, keep in mind that your outward appearance can directly impact how you are treated.
Your appearance will form a first impression, which will cause others to create judgments about your character. Dressing well shows that you understand the gravity of the situation and care to send a positive message.
Dress up to the occasion and you’ll show the judge that you respect their courtroom.