Help, what would a victim wear to court

[lucozadeaddict1988]

Without going into too much, I'm a victim of DV, coming up to end of bail where cos decide what happens next.
If it's sent to court I want to be as prepared as I can be, so what would/should a victim wear?
I'm a casual person usually, trainers, leggings, t-shirt etc. so help a girl out please x

*CPS not cos 🙈 cps decide what happens next

Black dress with smart shoes

Best of luck with your case

Be clean, tidy, reasonably neat but not overly formal. Be punctual! Not too much make up.

I've previously read that courts show more sympathy to women dressed in pink (!) so you might want to consider that!

Something tge does nit attract attention. Plain. Modest. Trousers snd s top? Skirt and top? Not leggings etc- too informal. Goid luck.OP

Smart, plain-ish. Smart trousers and shirt or plain dress with jacket.
See what you can pick up in charity shops?

I'd wear dark trousers (not jeans or leggings) or skirt and a dark coloured top to hide any sweat from stress. A cardigan or jumper or blazer in case it's cold.

Basically I'd wear anything similar to what I'd wear for the average job interview.

Ultimately, what you say matters more than your clothing but I absolutely understand your desire to feel prepared and dressed appropriately.

You just need to look tidy. I wouldn’t wear a suit or anything like that. You can wear a plain top with trousers. The jury needs to believe you so you need to look “normal” and honest. I’ve sat on one of these juries for SA.

If it were me I'd wear a flowery dress, light make up, neat hair, low heels. I'd look as demure and feminine as possible. Too sweet to harm, unable to fight back. Don't over estimate the intelligence of your jury and don't under estimate in-bred misogyny. If you saw that re-enactment recently of the blacksmith who murdered his wife - there were two men there who sentimentally identified with the murderer because they too had 'loved too much' in the past which was their way of justifying blind rage against a woman. They were such victim blamers. Wear nothing sexy, nothing business like. Nothing remotely powerful. Nothing that could give anyone prejudiced ammunition against you.

I am so sorry you have to deal with this and hope you get a fair outcome.

Smart work wear

Definitely don't wear trainers, leggings, t-shirt. Should be something similar to what you'd wear if you worked in an office. A court is a formal environment and dressing appropriately is important, to show respect for the court - and thereby your evidence will have greater weight. Do you have any same-size friends you could borrow some clothes from?

Thank you everyone. I will have a look around and ask about with friends if anyone has anything suitable. Thanks all x

If you’re on a budget get yourself down to primark. They have alot of work/smart stuff. I would suggest a pair of plain trousers, a casual tshirt tucked in with an over sized blazer and white trainers if you don’t want to one across too smart. or even mix it up with jeans like this….

Smart but not business like (too in-control means less sympathy).
Feminine but not attractive (attractive means asking for it).

I’d go for smartish wide legged trousers and a jumper in a pastel colour. No or minimal make up, simple hair.

These views (in brackets) are not my own. They’re extrapolated from comments made by the barrister defending the person who raped me. It was years ago but I don’t think the world has moved on much.

I'm in a similar situation and I will probably wear some stuff I already wear for work. For me naybe a beige or light pink satin shirt and some grey or navy trousers with flat closed toe shoes.. if the weather is warmer when it's finally listed maybe a high neck loose fitting below knee midi and flat closed toe shoes. Minimal makeup, I normally blow my hair with a bit of a curl so will just do that. So pretty much what I wear to my office job and will just avoid anything too harsh and won't wear all black. I go to court for work and will dress differently as for work reasons I want to look power, for my own hearing I want to look like the real me, the same me who is in the police video interviews and cctv footage.

What AmaryllisChorus said.
You need to look demure, modest, unthreatening, feminine and slightly fragile.
Very light make up, if any, soft neat hair, flowery dress. Not too short or lowcut. A tea dress with a cardigan, if you can get hold of one. Ballet flats or MaryJanes.
Sorry you are having to go through this.

I'd say smart, boring and unassuming.

I really would not overdo the pastel femininity. It seems too obvious and I also think it shows somehow if you are faking it.

If you can go for a smarter/the smartest possible version of your normal self. Your best trousers and trainers. The smartest, newest T shirt.

I had to attend court many times in the course of my divorce. I wore a black blouse or neat sweater with black trousers. Low heels. I was always surprised at the state of some of people waiting to go into the courtroom. I wish you luck, it must be very difficult

I would agree except it's been so ubiquitous recently, so it won't look too try hard. But a neat pastel blouse - not low necked, and fitted skirt with low heels would also work.