How to Dress for Divorce Success
Your appearance can portray your attitude towards your divorce as much as anything you say or do. Divorce is a formal process in which you are making important decisions that will affect your life and the lives of your children. Dressing appropriately tells others that:
- You take your divorce seriously;
- You will behave professionally during the process; and
- You are organized and responsible.
A divorce court judge is the most important person to make a good impression with by your appearance. The judge will form opinions about your character based on how you dress and groom yourself, which may affect his or her decisions on issues such as the allocation of parental responsibilities.
Attire
The clothing you wear should be formal and tasteful. Business casual is appropriate when you are meeting with your spouse outside of court. At court, you should dress more formally to fit the serious and professional atmosphere. Think of what you would wear to a job interview or important meeting. Men should wear a suit or jacket with a tie. Women can wear a simple dress, tasteful shirt and pants, or a business suit. There are several types of clothing you should avoid wearing, including:
- Jeans;
- T-shirts;
- Shorts;
- Hats;
- Clothing with tears or holes; and
- Outfits that may be flamboyant or provocative.
Courtrooms have dress codes, and the judge will likely send you home to change clothing if you are dressed inappropriately.
Body Decorations
Visible tattoos and body piercings will draw unwanted attention in a conservative setting such as a courtroom. Body decorations still carry a stigma that suggests a person is wild and immature. Your clothing should conceal tattoos that appear on your arms and legs. You should limit your visible piercings to small earrings on your lobes and remove other piercings. You should avoid wearing gaudy jewelry or excessive amounts of makeup.
Hair and Hygiene
Regardless of its length, your hair should look groomed and not be dyed an unnatural color. You must keep up other areas of hygiene, including:
- Cleaning your teeth;
- Trimming your nails;
- Wearing deodorant; and
- Shaving or trimming your facial hair.
Best Dressed
Your goal with your courtroom appearance is to blend in with the atmosphere instead of standing out. You want the judge to make decisions based on the arguments and evidence you provide and not how you appear. A Kane County divorce attorney at Goostree Law Group can prepare you to make a good impression in court. Schedule a free consultation by calling 630-584-4800.
Source:
https://esme.com/single-mom-lifestyles/life-hacks/what-should-i-wear-to-legal-meetings-during-divorce