In my fourth and final part of my blog series on “things you should know before going to court,” it’s time to get superficial for a moment: APPEARANCES MATTER.
Appearances affect how we feel about ourselves and, perhaps more importantly, how others portray us. While it might sound pretentious, many people feel more confident when they’re wearing a nice suit or other nice clothes. A little confidence is a good thing. However, you don’t need to wear Gucci or Prada. The safest approach is to look good, but not “too good.” Typically, it is best to avoid looking too flashy. Cufflinks might not be well-received by a jury of rural, small-town folks. Also, generally speaking, a party or witness should err on the side of dressing conservatively. Short skirts and tattoos are risky, depending on your judge or jury. Tight, low-cut blouses and excessive amounts of jewelry should also be avoided. At the same time, don’t wear grandma’s pearls if it’s going to look unnatural on you; you don’t want to get caught wearing a costume.
For more information on this article or the other articles in this series, be sure to check the Trial Lawyer on Your Side blog next week or contact the Goosmann Law Firm at info@goosmannlaw.com or (712) 226-4000.