Does it really matter what we wear to court nowadays? After all, in this more relaxed world of work where companies have dress-down Fridays and many of us work from home, shouldn’t we be able to wear anything we like, within reason? We celebrate diversity and individuality in all kinds of fields so why not in court?

Because what you wear matters

Leadership Coach and author Dr Kalyani Kamble, posting on LinkedIn, reminds us that first impressions count. She makes the point that in her opinion people take less than 30 seconds to weigh you up according to how you’re dressed. The old adage of “you are what you wear” may well be true.

The clothes you are wearing at any given time say a great deal about you whether you like it or not. If you make an effort to dress well this will make you feel good about yourself and more importantly create an impression that you care about detail, about getting things right. The opposite is true on those days when you can’t be bothered to make an effort to dress well.

Standards of dress in court should be upheld

In most court settings it is of course expected that all involved, the judge, solicitors, expert witnesses and court administrators should dress appropriately.

Expert witnesses, in particular, need to project an image of knowledge, professionalism and careful attention to detail and this is really not possible if an expert turns up in court looking as if they’ve just run a 10k or been doing a spot of gardening. Casual clothing of any description could well destroy any confidence that judges and other court professionals may have in your abilities.

As Gerald Lebovitz of the New York State Bar Association said, lawyers must dress for court, and that means no ripped jeans, but top hats and tails aren’t necessary either. In his opinion, ‘clothes do not make the lawyer, but they get the lawyer into court’. These are wise words which an expert witness should consider when dressing for a court appearance.

It is ideal to develop a smart style of dressing that ensures what people around you notice is not your clothes, but you. Their focus will be on what you are saying, not how you look.

What should an expert wear in court?

Dress for the occasion and the weather. It should go without saying that a judge will not be impressed by anyone turning up in Arctic cold weather gear or skimpy summer clothing. Still, there is a way to dress for the weather without extremes. Men should wear a smart suit, shirt and tie while women should wear conservative suits, trouser suits or dresses—no jeans, sportswear or shorts. Don’t forget the shoes; these should be practical – you may spend a long time on your feet in the witness box – but smart and clean.

Jewellery should ideally be kept to a minimum so as not to distract attention from the expert witness’s case. It is generally accepted that nose and other facial piercings are inappropriate in a court setting, as too much expression of individuality may sometimes not sit well with a jury.

Don’t forget that your outward appearance, alongside your conduct and speech in a courtroom, reflects your respect for the judge and the court. It gives assurance that you care about getting things right and doing your best.

Turning up at court looking crumpled, messy or uncoordinated will put you instantly at a disadvantage. Whether you agree with it or not, the way you dress for a courtroom appearance can make all the difference to how your evidence is heard.