The Decline of the Well Put Together Lady

[Honey Doll]

This morning I argued an appeal in the second highest Court of our state. I was the second to last on the docket-- so I had plenty of time to let my mind wander and make general observations of the other attorneys around me.

Frankly, the level of dress was to the point of near disrespect. I watched a lady lawyer argue wearing black sneakers, kahkis and a blazer that was so wrinkled, it looked like she pulled it from the bottom of the hamper!

I've long gotten used to the flip flops and sweats at the Mall, but to see this level of dress (it appeared to be the rule rather than the exception) from educated professional women was a bit suprising. Unkempt hair, no makeup, shoddy worn out shoes, ill fitting slacks.....

Its funny to think a secretary of the 40s would have far out-classed the presentation of the ladies I observed today.

Honey Doll

[Paisley]

Several years ago in Denver, a woman sued Michael Jackson, saying that he stole a song she wrote. She showed up in court wearing a tight black leather outfit (and, er, didn't really have the figure for it, but that's neither here nor there). The judge sent her home to change.

Nowadays, it sounds like a judge would have to send almost everyone home to change.

I've seen lawyers come here to the office (a CPA firm) looking like bums. I know we don't command the respect of a courtroom, but why would people even leave the house looking like that?

[Phaedra]

This morning I argued an appeal in the second highest Court of our state. I was the second to last on the docket-- so I had plenty of time to let my mind wander and make general observations of the other attorneys around me.

Frankly, the level of dress was to the point of near disrespect. I watched a lady lawyer argue wearing black sneakers, kahkis and a blazer that was so wrinkled, it looked like she pulled it from the bottom of the hamper!

I've long gotten used to the flip flops and sweats at the Mall, but to see this level of dress (it appeared to be the rule rather than the exception) from educated professional women was a bit suprising. Unkempt hair, no makeup, shoddy worn out shoes, ill fitting slacks.....

Its funny to think a secretary of the 40s would have far out-classed the presentation of the ladies I observed today.

Honey Doll

I too work in the legal industry. It is amazing to me to see how the dress code has deteoriated. I've seen it all from flip flops to tank tops! I try to dress professionally every day (even on casual Friday), which usually gets me a comment or two and sometimes the smart remark "you must be going on an interview!"

[LizzieMaine]

I used to cover a lot of trials in my reporter days, and even 10 or 15 years ago it was getting so you noticed that people showed up for court like they'd just come from cleaning out their cellars. Jurors were especially sloppy -- t-shirts, shorts, sneakers, sweats, all that sort of thing. There were some trials where the best dressed guy in the room was wearing an orange jumpsuit.

I did try to dress appropriately, but most of the reporters looked as though they'd been out bar-crawling the night before and never bothered to change.

[Paisley]

Its funny to think a secretary of the 40s would have far out-classed the presentation of the ladies I observed today.

Honey Doll

My mother--a housewife and high-school dropout in the 50s--would have outclassed them.

I watched Justice last night (it's a show about lawyers) and the women lawyers and consultants on the show look very nice. I just don't really like the pantsuits they wear, but today's fashions aren't the show's fault. I just don't think that pants that are cut so that they show a gaping space between the knees are very ladylike.

[Honey Doll]

When I first started practicing there was a crumudgy old judge on the bench who would berate women attorneys for wearing pants in his courtroom. Not to say that this is appropriate conduct in a judge mind you, but it stuck with me. I always wear a skirt suit for trial, appeals and generally any occassion that would put me in the courthouse.

Honey Doll

[Tourbillion]

My sister is an attorney, she usually wears a skirt suit and feminine blouse for court, with low heels.

She always has nice, ladylike clothes, I guess it is just what she likes. Well except for when she and her husband go out on the motorcycle...

[Nashoba]

I've seen this trend too and it's disheartening. I spend a lot of time at my husband's unit and I've always felt that my appearance reflects on him. I've always felt that if I show up looking trashy, like trash, or disregard common manners and decency (you'd be suprised at some of the things I've heard come out of spouses mouths to people who dangerously outrank their husband) it reflects poorly on him and I do him no favor as far as his fellow marines respecting him. I've seen this in practice too as I've "hung out" with the guys a fair amount and have heard some of the things said about some of the other wives because of their appearance and their manners. I'd like to think that the respect that they have for me stems in part for my respect of my own appearance and that in turn helps my husband's image with his subordinates. The other part of course would be my sparkling personality It's just a shame that people don't have more respect for themselves.

[Harp]

When I first started practicing there was a crumudgy old judge on the bench who would berate women attorneys for wearing pants in his courtroom. Not to say that this is appropriate conduct in a judge mind you, but it stuck with me. I always wear a skirt suit for trial, appeals and generally any occassion that would put me in the courthouse.

Honey Doll

Res Ipsa Loquitor.

[Redlights]

Oh ladies, walk through any college campus...and you'll see pjamas, things resembling underwear that they call "shorts" and tiny little washcloths worn as shirts. It's terrifying to be a girl in a tea length dress (not for tea, mind you!) wandering these stages of undress! The comments! The quizzical looks! The questions!

And we wonder why we don't get doors held for us anymore! We don't look like we deserve it!

I dress up to be educated. I learn better that way. Not to mention my professors (esp. the old tweedy ones with pocket watches and pince nez glasses) appreciate my efforts and my respect towards the academic institution.