Let App WinIt fight your ticket.

So you had a bad day, and you ended up getting a ticket for speeding or parking your vehicle in the wrong place. If you feel you have a case against it, you’d normally have to go into traffic court to fight your ticket. 

You’ll want to look your best for the court hearing, because dressing appropriately can make all the difference to the judge and jury. What you wear to traffic court can show that you are respectful of the law and that you are taking the case seriously. 

Present yourself with decorum in court by following these fashion tips.

What to Wear 

Keep it classy with business casual attire for your traffic court hearing. When in doubt, err on the conservative side, and think of what you would wear to a serious formal event like a business meeting or religious gathering. 

Ask yourself, would you wear this to church? If the answer is yes, it would probably be a good choice for your appearance in traffic court.

For Men

• Don a crisp long-sleeve button-down shirt with a collar, in white or a solid color.
• Dress up in a sports coat, blazer, or suit jacket. Go for darker colors like dark gray, navy blue, or tweed.
• Wear long slacks or khakis, ironed and wrinkle-free. 
• Keep your outfit together with a belt or suspenders.
• Tie it all together with a simple tie.
• Comb your hair and style it to look neat and trim.
• Wear dress shoes made of leather or suede, and don’t forget to wear nice socks.

For Women

• Dress in conservative tops like a long-sleeve blouse or button-down shirt, in a simple neutral color.
• Choose to wear calm colors like beige, navy blue, or gray. 
• Wear a skirt that is knee-length or longer.
• Alternatively, wear a pantsuit with a nice blazer and slacks in a matching color.
• If you’d like to wear jewelry, choose simple pieces like stud earrings or an understated necklace.
• Keep your hair neat and tidy, in a bun or a ponytail.
• Wear nice flats or dress shoes. If you decide to wear heels, try to find a pair that are two inches or less.

What Not to Wear

If you want to successfully fight your ticket in traffic court, you’ll have to present the best version of yourself. Don’t give off the wrong impression with these fashion faux pas.

In general, accessories that show too much personality and self-expression might draw unwanted attention in court. Leave your statement pieces at home and hide tattoos under a conservative blazer when you’re trying to impress the judge and jury.

For Men

• Stay away from sleeveless tops and gym shorts–no athleisure in court!
• Light-color suits (tan, white, maroon, light blue, etc.) would be seen as too informal. All-black may also appear too cold and imposing to a jury.
• Avoid tops with flashy and vibrant patterns, or with words or logos. Short-sleeve shirts are also a no-go.
• Don’t wear jeans or shorts.
• Unless it is for a religious reason, avoid wearing a hat (baseball caps, fedoras, etc.)
• No sneakers, sandals, or flip-flops. Anything you’d wear to the beach or the gym won’t be appropriate in court.
• Don’t wear sunglasses or anything that could prevent good eye contact.
• Avoid flashy jewelry or cufflinks. Remove any nose or tongue piercings.
• Cover up any tattoos with your outfit.

For Women

• Avoid very tight or low-cut tops such as tube tops, halter tops, or crop tops. Make sure your shoulders are fully covered, and avoid see-through fabrics.
• Try not to wear colors that are too bright and flashy. Choose soft neutral colors like beige or gray. An all-black outfit may also not evoke sympathy from the jury.
• If you wear makeup, keep it simple and natural–perhaps just mascara, foundation, lip gloss, and eyeshadow in neutral tones. Avoid heavy makeup with bright colors and false lashes.
• Don’t wear a skirt or dress that is too short or revealing.
• Avoid wearing jeans, leggings, or any athletic attire.
• No sneakers, sandals, flip-flops, or stilettos with a very high heel.
• Keep jewelry simple and minimal–no statement necklaces or large hoop earrings, and remove nose or tongue piercings.
• Cover up any tattoos with clothing.

Hair and Hygiene

Your hair and hygiene can say a lot about how you’d like to present yourself to the court. A fresh scent and clean hair and nails can definitely improve your chance to leave a good first impression on the jury. 

Aim for a simple and neat look that shows you took the time to be well-groomed for your traffic court appearance.

• If you have long hair, wear it up and in a bun or ponytail. Keep hair away from your face so you don’t have anything to fidget with in traffic court.
• Make sure to shower and wash your hair, and use deodorant to smell fresh. (This would definitely come in handy if you get the nervous sweats!) And definitely don’t come into court smelling like alcohol or cigarettes.
• Avoid having any eye-catching accessories in your hair, such as flashy barrettes, combs, or rollers.
• A clean-shaven face can help you look proper for the jury. Trim your mustache and beard to a conservative length before your hearing.
• Brush your teeth and gargle mouthwash for fresh breath.
• Keep your nails neat and simple. Avoid colorful manicures with long false nails in bright neon colors. Trim your nails and remove any nail polish, or choose a neutral tone.
• Don’t go too crazy with perfumes and colognes, which can be distracting to the judge and jury.

What to do if you don’t want to go to court

Having to think about what to wear when you go to court can be a real headache.

Luckily, if you received a ticket on your vehicle for a traffic violation, you may not even have to go to court at all. By simply downloading the WinIt app, you can be matched with the best lawyer to fight your ticket for you. All you need to do is upload evidence onto the app. 

Fight your ticket and win it with WinIt!