Yeah, I'm shallow but I want to give the right impression at court... Should I dress smart casual as the looking for a job single mum I am, or should I done an "office" outfit?

[Mongolia]

First hearing at court next week, after months of negotiating with and abuse from my ex.

I don't want to use a "power" dress style for court (namely suits, etc) first because I don't have any younger than 5 years, and second because it doesn't reflect who I am or what have been my circumstances now and in the last 10 years (have been looking for a job for months after loosing my suitable-for-single-motherhood job)

I have two smart casual outfits, should I use the one that make me looks mumsy but still stylish, or the one that makes me look like a secretary?

Note that the reason I'm going to court is because exH is demanding to sell the house DS and I live in (there's no need, he has another one), in order to achieve what is known as a "clean break"

(I have put the same thread under "legal" topic just in case, thank you?)

rogue question mark there

Could you describe the two outfits more? Are they trousers/skirts? what colours/styles?

As a rule of thumb I would sayanyhting that doesnt reveal too much flesh and makes you look smart will be fine.

I'd do mumsy but stylish,which sends message that your family is the most important thing you have but you still have dignity and an awareness of life outside it.

i would be very surprised if any judge/magistrate/sheriff takes any particular notice of your clothes or knows/cares what is stylish. you just need to look clean, neat and respectable, as if you have made an effort.

smart blouse/top and skirt or smart trousers is fine

I don't think there's anything wrong with looking businesslike, it doesn't mean you have to be a businesswoman. Court is a formal place for financial dealings, so looking like you're taking it seriously really can't hurt. Presumably this isn't a jury situation so you don't need people to feel sympathetic towards you because you're a warm mumsy type (I don't mean this in a rude way IYSWIM!), but you need the solicitors etc to think that you are well prepared, and respecting the proceedings.

'Secretarial wear' (makes me think of glasses perched on the end of your nose!) sounds good to me.

My first instinct is the mumsy stylish outfit, however I think you should try them both on again and see which makes you feel most confident.

And I hope you win

i used to work in a court, and it's actually quite relaxed about clothing (i suppose as long as you're not too scruffy)
the only rule i ever found was don't wear open toed shoes.

Thank you, for your suggestions, I'm getting more convinced about the mumsy one... Have also tried them both and I think I would go for the mumsy one. I feel more comfortable and considering the cold... the other may be a bit distracting ( I get cold very very easily)

Thank you for the good wishes too!

Forgot to update this, thank you for the suggestions. At the end I went for the mumsy one.

It didn't matter, as soon as he entered the room, my body language would have made even a Chanel suit look scruffy. It's been months since we don't talk yet I was almost reduced to a ball with fear.

It went well though, if I didn't cause a good impression, certainly the exh caused a very bad one despite of his nice suit... nothing related to clothes though.

Glad it went well for you, that must has been a horrible experience. Hope things are looking up for you this year

Oh well, Thank you, is still ongoing, but at least we have got some time limits now.