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What does a hip young thing wear in court?!

56 replies

littlehalo · 30/12/2012 11:35

My job is normally community and/ or office based but is now taking me into the courts.

I'd like a nice pencil skirt suit (or similar) but sites like TM Lewin make me want to cry. I'm 20-something, size 6/8, 5ft 4 (but live in heels), nick named 'the clothes horse', please tell me I'm not destined for bland colours and frumpy cuts for the rest of my working life!

I'm not actually averse to grey or black but I would want to 'lift' these colours with nice blouses or camis.

To give you an idea of my usual style, I like bold pieces, love Vivienne Westwood, winged eyeliner etc, not frightened of print.

Any suggestions would be great, thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Mosman · 30/12/2012 11:47

Courts are not really known for their snazzy styling.
I'd be playing it down really, every solicitor I know owns a lot of black suits even navy is seen as a bit put there and crazy.

TeaBrick · 30/12/2012 11:56

Sorry, but you are destined for bland colours and frumpy cuts for the rest of your working life Grin

ItsaTIARA · 30/12/2012 11:58

Get a TM Lewin suit and visit a tailor to get it altered to a perfect fit and length. Afraid you're going to have to learn to express your style in really discreet touches and go wild at the weekend.

littlehalo · 30/12/2012 12:03

I'm not your friend any more S&B!! Xmas Grin

Do you think it always has to be a suit, could I maybe get away with a smart shift dress and jacket?

OP posts:
AloeSailor · 30/12/2012 12:03

Hip isn't appropriate for court. You need to dress ultra conservatively to be taken seriously.

littlehalo · 30/12/2012 12:09

I've never had a problem being taken seriously in court before, but that was when court was only a fringe part of my job (social worker btw). I guess there will be an expectation that I should now dress the part if I am going to be in court much more frequently.

OP posts:
ItsaTIARA · 30/12/2012 12:12

You could wear a shift dress and jacket, but the drycleaning bill is a pain - much easier to wear suits and selection of tops.

MrsWolowitz · 30/12/2012 12:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Mosman · 30/12/2012 12:12

I guess it does depend on your role, of you are the judge you can do what you like, everyone one else does as they are told.
It's not that a dress wouldn't work but it can't be tight and fitted and showing all god gave you. You can't be showing your armpits or tattoos

AloeSailor · 30/12/2012 12:12

You owe to your service users to be dressed so the magistrates take you seriously and respect you.

Mosman · 30/12/2012 12:15

As a social worker it's about looking professional, you're not a hippy lentil weaver and you're not a dolly bird more interested in what she did at the weekend. You're a professional woman and that should be obvious from your attire.

MrsMushroom · 30/12/2012 12:22

Bollocks. OP wear what you like. As a feminist fashionista I command you to break taboos.

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 30/12/2012 12:25

I'm a solicitor and appear regularly at the Mags and County Courts. The mags is a bit more formal and I would always wear a jacket in black/navy/grey with either a matching skirt or dress. Cami are fine and colours are fine but no armpits or cleavage ever.

In the County Court, it's a bit more informal in chambers, so I have worn a pale blue linen dress in the summer with short sleeves and no one died Grin

Djembe · 30/12/2012 12:27

'Dolly bird' - seriously?!

Grin

ItsaTIARA · 30/12/2012 12:32

You will look fabulous in a well cut severe suit and killer heels OP. You will only look frumpy if you buy something boxy that doesn't fit. Tailoring is not the enemy, get something that fits, or alter it until it does. It took me until my thirties to learn about the importance of alteration, you can benefit from my experience Grin.

littlehalo · 30/12/2012 12:33

Armpits and tattoos Xmas Shock no chance of me flashing either of those! Not least because I don't have any tattoos. Aren't the two concrete rules 'always wear a collar' and 'never have bare arms'?

Mosman and Aloe, I have been a social worker (quite successfully) for a number of years, I'm not hoping to get away with something like this (partly because its vile!) www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=1&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=8532007&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=423012&parent_categoryId=203984&pageSize=20

..but I would like to know if I could get away with something like this, trousers with a narrow leg and tapered ankle? www.hm.com/gb/product/02192?article=02192-D

OP posts:
BillyBollyBrandy · 30/12/2012 12:34

Have you tried Karen Millen?

cathyandclaire · 30/12/2012 12:39

Why not invest in a fabulous well cut suit ( maybe westwood as you love it and it's classic with an edge ... could be a bargain in the sales) and lots of cheapie tops to go under it?

MissBeehivingUnderTheMistletoe · 30/12/2012 12:41
NorthernNumpty · 30/12/2012 12:44

Try lk Bennett or Karen Millen. You would be surprised what social workers get away with wearing at court!. IME ( I don't work in family law but spend a lot of time in the County Court) very few social workers wear suits. A peplum jacket and pencil skirt could be smart and a little quirky? You would really stand out in the county court in killer heels and a pencil skirt, it's not the most stylish of venues but I say go for it, I miss the criminal courts, it's all killer heels there!!

littlehalo · 30/12/2012 12:45

So if I invest in one decent well cut (or altered) suit would you recommend skirt or trousers? I do love a good pencil skirt but on reflection wonder if this might be too sexy.

OP posts:
NorthernNumpty · 30/12/2012 12:46

I would say you could definitely get away with the H&M outfit

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cathyandclaire · 30/12/2012 12:46

Something like this....although still £££££
www.net-a-porter.com/product/316015

HollaAtMeSanta · 30/12/2012 12:46

Reiss have nice suits :)

Djembe · 30/12/2012 12:47
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