Have you seen the show “What Not to Wear” on TLC? In case you haven’t, the basic premise of the show involves two “fashionistas” who instruct an average dresser on the right and the wrong ways to dress.
It would be wonderful if the show’s hosts took a trip to the Los Angeles Superior Courthouse to help divorcing men and women know what to wear in divorce court. But since that’s not likely to happen, we thought we’d offer a few tips to help you get your wardrobe on track for divorce court.
1. Don’t wear t-shirts or tank tops
2. Don’t wear jeans, shorts, or short dresses to court
3. Don’t wear flip flops, open-toed shoes, or sneakers
4. Don’t wear anything that is too tight fitting or reveals too much skin
5. Don’t wear clothes that make an artistic statement or promote a product or service (clothing with sayings or promotional images can be distracting)
6. Don’t wear clothes you would wear to the gym or to bed
7. Don’t wear clothes if they haven’t been washed and ironed
8. Don’t wear clothes that you would wear out to a club or a bar (unless it’s a very sophisticated bar)
Do wear a professional looking suit or ensemble that you would wear to a job interview. You do not need to spend a lot of money on new clothes; you simply need to dress in a way that illustrates you are a responsible person. More importantly, when you dress professionally you prove you are respectful of that court, which will be noticed by the judge.
For more information on what to expect in the courtroom, read “California Divorce Court – What to Expect” in the California Divorce Guide.
