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What to Wear to Divorce Court

On Behalf of | Jan 21, 2020 | Divorce

Dressing Appropriately Affects The Outcome Of The Case

If you are in the middle of divorce proceedings, chances are that you will have to go to divorce court at some point. While it is obvious to most people that they should not wear their drug advocacy t-shirt or the skimpy outfit they wear on third dates, it is not always clear exactly what the dress code is for the courtroom.

Your dress code can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Simply stated, the more presentable your appearance, the more favorable the outcome is likely to be.

A good Tacoma Divorce Attorney should obviously help you in this regard but for those who cannot afford lawyers or are representing themselves, the following are some helpful tips for what to wear to divorce court.

Dressing Tips

The key to dressing for divorce court is to dress as if you were going for a professional meeting. So ask yourself, if I were going to a business meeting, how would I dress?

Conservatism and respect should be the key. Clothes should be conservative in that they do not reveal too much and that they are loosely fitting.

You should also not show up to court in your most expensive designer clothes and demand spousal support. Dress in a manner that will help you gain what you want from the divorce proceedings.

Respect

Respect means that you should wear clothes that show that you respect the seriousness of the court. Think of how you would dress if you were going to church or attending a solemn event such as a funeral.

Obviously, the most recommended attire for men will be trousers and a button-down shirt. If you can add a tie and a matching official blazer, that would be better.

For women, a skirt or trouser suit is recommended. The skirt’s length should also be long enough, that is the skirt’s hem should not be above the knee.

Shoes And Worn-Out Clothes

Closed shoes with dark socks are recommended for men as far as footwear is concerned. For women, heels are ill-advised. Instead, they should wear shoes with flat soles or pumps at most. If they are closed shoes, the better.

Your clothes also have to be clean and well maintained. By that, you should not wear worn-out clothes or shoes with holes or patches in them.

Accessories And Grooming

As far as jewelry is concerned, you should keep it to a minimum especially if you will be asking for financial compensation. Taking them off at the court’s entrance while going through a metal detector is also a nuisance. Any other accessories should be as conservative as possible, such as:

  • handbags
  • wallets
  • polished nails

For men, you can wear a belt or suspenders. Avoid having too many pockets and other accessories such as chain wallets that you do not need. In addition to your attire, you should ensure you are clean and well-groomed. For both men and women, that means your hair and body should be clean.

For men, ensure that your beard is well combed and trimmed. For women, if you have to apply makeup, make it conservative. For any other questions you have, contact Alliance Law Group today for a free consultation. We will review your case with you and help you understand your case. Call us at 253-300-2055.