I often work in court, where professionals are required to dress formally in suits with jackets and closed toe professional shoes (think lawyers, civil servants). Our professional code of conduct requires us to act as “model litigants” and our policy manual has some information on standards expected at court including dress.
A colleague was wearing a knee length short sleeved cotton summer dress without a jacket. She also wore sandals. We live in Australia where it’s currently mid 20s C so the summer dress wasn’t unusual, just inappropriate. She is new to the country and the role and may not be aware of appropriate attire in court.
As a side issue this dress had buttons all the way down the front, and when she stood side-on there were gaps in the dress through which her bra, underwear and skin could be seen. This is only noticeable if you happen to be standing at the angle I was. I assume she wasn’t aware of this.
Should I have said something? I didn’t get a chance to speak with her when the opportunity arose as my matter was called into court and I had to go. Now I’m wondering if I should mention it to her next time I see her?