Attorney Maria Ciarelli, above, models a silk suit that fashion consultant Andrea Ward says would be appropriate for an arraignment or deposition, but might not be quite the right color for a jury. Ward offered fashion tips for lawyer at a special event in the New Haven offices of Wiggin and Dana.

Don't Be Guilty Of Wearing Red

Designer offers tips on dressing for success with jurors

By JOAN LEE
Monday, September 24, 2007
Connecticut LawTribune

Closing arguments are important. But the color of your shoes, the shape of your suit, and the sound your skirt makes when you move can lose or win you points with a jury, says Andrea Ward, a wardrobe consultant and fashion stylist.

"Image is important," said the New Haven-based Ward, who works with lawyers and other professional women.

Ward recently presented her fashion do's and don'ts before about 30lawyers at a fashion show sponsored by New Haven Women Attorneys Committee and held at the offices of Wiggin and Dana in New Haven. "We are judged by first impressions," she said.

Carolyn B. Witt, executive director of the New Haven County Bar Association, called the gathering "an educational seminar on dressing professionally and using accessories."

"Although I am not a lawyer, within the legal profession it is important to know the line between being fashionable and being professional," said Witt. "Being professional doesn't mean high-necked blouses and dark blue suits, but too much skin or cleavage is clearly inappropriate."

Neutral Colors

Ward agrees that dressing provocatively in a courtroom doesn't work. A prosecutor or litigator who is trying a case before a jury should wear" minimalistic and subtle" clothing, Ward said. "The clothing should not speak and do the work, it should glide along as the work is in progress," Ward said.

Good suit colors for juries are charcoal, darkest navy or black, she said.

"The fabric should be a cool wool, preferably Italian, so it just fits on the body and again doesn't create any noise or motion to distract," said Ward, who in her 35-year career in fashion has worked with The Supremes, Jill St. John, and Lucky Roosevelt.

If there is texture or pinstripe in the fabric, it should also be subtle, Ward said. "You want everyone to be focused on what is going on in the courtroom," she said.

Ward said white is a great color for an accent because "it makes people feel secure and you look clean and professional, and the jury will respond to you more positively. It has a neutrality and creates confidence and calm."

She added: "Think of a white beach and dark blue water, it makes your mind and mood go a positive direction and it certainly doesn't create tension."

Red, however, is a big no-no, Ward said, because it distracts from your message. "If I was having a meeting and I was wearing a red suit ... it's going to make you uncomfortable," Ward said. "You are very much judged by your image, psychologically and intellectually."

Ward said men have it easier when it comes to dressing because there are fewer choices, although they do have to be careful when it comes to choosing ties. They shouldn't go with crazy colors and patterns, she said. Also, men should be wary of pink shirts before juries, Ward said.

Ward said if she could give lawyers and other professionals three words of advice about fashion, they would be: "Less is more." •