If your case goes to trial there are advantages to preparing ahead of time for the experience.  The court room can seem very intimidating to many people but knowing how to dress for the trial can be very helpful in improving your confidence level.  It is important to remember that court is a very serious place.  As much as we don’t want to think we judge people by their appearance, in fact studies have shown that subliminally we do.

In order for your attorney to present your case and be successful with delivering the facts surrounding your accident, it is important for you to present as a credible plaintiff.  At some point during the trial you will be the focus and all eyes will be on you.  To keep from being a distraction and also to prevent assumptions about your character, there are certain helpful things to remember when you dress for court.

 

  1. Think Serious: When dressing for court think of it as a place where serious decisions are about to made.  You may not be the type of person who dresses up very often, but this is not the same as going to the grocery or a concert.  Keep in mind that showing that you care about your appearance reflects that you are serious and have respect for the court process.
  2. Clean: Wearing clean and modest clothing is imperative.  There should be no holes or rips in any item you wear.  Although it may be stylish to wear jeans that are made that way, they have the ability to distract in a negative way in court.  Similarly, stains on white shirts or jackets also imply that you are in general a person who does not take the importance of the court seriously.
  3. Simple: Choose something that is simple and uncomplicated.  Neutral colors are best because again, you do not want to cause unwanted attention to your outfit.  You may have a fancy colorful dress, very nice and expensive, but it is not the best choice in this situation.  While court is in session the goal is to fit in and not have all eyes on your apparel.  Nothing that reveals skin such as flip-flop shoes or sleeveless garments are a good idea either.

 

Dressing for court properly will allow you to help your attorney present a good case and will also help you to feel more comfortable with being on display. Your attorney will advise you on the look he feels is best for your situation.  Follow his instructions and keep in mind the three tips above and you should feel confident that you are projecting the image that will be respected by the court.