Court-Appropriate Appearance
To “dress for success” means choosing outfits, haircuts, makeup, and accessories wisely. When dressing for a child custody case, success is winning custody; to do that, you will need to look as mature, serious-minded, and financially secure as possible. If you don’t own appropriate clothing, it’s worth it to borrow some or even find an appropriate outfit at a thrift shop. When putting your outfit together:
Consider not only your clothes but also your hair, makeup, and behavior. If your hair is an unusual color, consider wearing a wig or coloring it more conservatively for the occasion. If you wear piercings other than earrings, consider removing jewelry. If you have tattoos, consider wearing clothing that covers them. If you like to chew gum, don’t. All of these small changes can radically change the impression you make.Put yourself in the judge’s shoes, and imagine their reaction to you. You can do this by watching real child custody cases in your local area. How did people dress? What reaction did the judge seem to have to, for example, a parent showing up in a muscle shirt and flip-flops?Think of yourself as an actor going on stage. You’re creating a costume for a character that is serious, mature, and sincere. What would such a character wear?
Appropriate Dress for Men
Dads who would like to win child custody should ensure they are appropriately dressed for a child custody hearing. Examples of appropriate dress for men are:
Collared shirtDark suitDress shoesTie
Appropriate Dress for Women
Moms who would like to win child custody should ensure that they make the best appearance during all child custody hearings. Some examples of appropriate dress for women are:
Dark pants or a skirt suitDark, non-patterned dressDress shoes/pumpsPants with a long-sleeve shirt
Seasonal Exceptions
If a parent has a child custody proceeding during the summer, it may not make sense to wear an entire two or three–piece suit. A parent can modify their dress to suit the season. For example, you might forego a suit jacket in extreme heat. Even in the heat, though, avoid shorts, flip-flops, and sleeveless tops.
Short skirts (above the knee)Sleeveless shirtsSneakersOpen-toe shoes (including flip-flops)Extremely tight or fitted clothing
