When is wearing Peak lapels at work or Courts, acceptable?

Suntory · Dec 3, 2015

Would it depend on your seniority? i.e: A partner of a firm?

What about in courtrooms? Here is a video of Supreme Court Justice Lord Wilson (grey suit/pink tie) wearing one:

Suntory · Dec 3, 2015

Don't be a lurker!

David Reeves · Dec 3, 2015

Would be fine if wearing a double breasted suit.

Suntory · Dec 3, 2015

David Reeves said:
Would be fine if wearing a double breasted suit.

So generally speaking, these are considered brave?

One button peak lapel-three piece: Super Brave
(Confusing because one button is considered informal for work, but that rule is out the door for tuxedo events.

David Reeves · Dec 3, 2015

Suntory said:
So generally speaking, these are considered brave? One button peak lapel-three piece: Super Brave (Confusing because one button is considered informal for work, but that rule is out the door for tuxedo events.

I think they look a bit Gauche in that setting to be honest. I make for a lot of lawyers and generally the more charismatic trial lawyer type, none of them do peak lapels for court. Not that I am uptight or anything but you know, I think you have to dress appropriately for the environment to some degree.

Bounder · Dec 3, 2015

Suntory said:
Confusing because one button is considered informal for work, but that rule is out the door for tuxedo events.

Why do you think that one-button is "informal for work"? AFAIK one-button suits are no less formal than two or three-button suits. If anything, in that one-button suits are typically bespoke, they are on average more "formal."

As for your original question, peak lapels are more rare than notch and, therefore, arguably more formal. As to whether they are appropriate for office wear, it depends on your office and your position in it. It is typically a bad idea to out-dress your boss.

With respect to going to court, it depends. In the UK, you are typically wearing robes so the jury isn't going to notice your lapels. In the U.S., how to dress for court depends on the impact you want to create on the jury and/or judge. You may want to dress up. You may want to dress down. Peak lapels -- and certainly a double-breasted suit -- are going give you a more formal image.

Suntory · Dec 3, 2015

Bounder said:
Why do you think that one-button is "informal for work"? AFAIK one-button suits are no less formal than two or three-button suits. If anything, in that one-button suits are typically bespoke, they are on average more "formal."

Because I see the words "fashion forward" or "not appropriate", etc in this forum and askandyaboutclothes.
Here: http://www.styleforum.net/t/219592/one-button-suit-for-business

But what you said have changed/influence my mind on that.

Bounder said:
With respect to going to court, it depends. In the UK, you are typically wearing robes so the jury isn't going to notice your lapels. In the U.S., how to dress for court depends on the impact you want to create on the jury and/or judge. You may want to dress up. You may want to dress down. Peak lapels -- and certainly a double-breasted suit -- are going give you a more formal image.

Did you see the link I posted? For the UK, I was referring to a Supreme Court Judge, Lord Wilson who was wearing a very nice peak lapel in a grey suit with a pink tie.

So my question is, do courtroom attires with suits and without gowns matter less when you're in such a powerful position?

Suntory · Dec 3, 2015

David Reeves said:
I think they look a bit Gauche in that setting to be honest. I make for a lot of lawyers and generally the more charismatic trial lawyer type, none of them do peak lapels for court. Not that I am uptight or anything but you know, I think you have to dress appropriately for the environment to some degree.

Thanks. But I guess for Judges who don't need to wear robes (such as UK Supreme Court), it is okay? As shown in that video link.

David Reeves · Dec 3, 2015

Suntory said:
Thanks. But I guess for Judges who don't need to wear robes (such as UK Supreme Court), it is okay? As shown in that video link.

If you are supreme you can wear what you want.

Suntory · Dec 3, 2015

David Reeves said:
If you are supreme you can wear what you want.

Will make that my signature. Thanks.

Dandy Wonka · Dec 3, 2015

For Court you want to dress as boring as possible. You don't want a judge to not like you because you wanted to wear your peak lapels,

Suntory · Dec 4, 2015

Dandy Wonka said:
For Court you want to dress as boring as possible. You don't want a judge to not like you because you wanted to wear your peak lapels,

I agree but I've been to some Court observations during my studies, and I see Queen's Counsels wearing beautifully fitted pinstripe and sometimes peak lapel suits. But mostly notch lapels. But can we agree this is an exception when you're such a senior and experienced litigator? Especially when those QCs might have been the Judge's friends or classmates back in the days. I see this in District Courts (without gowns) as well.

Seamless · Dec 4, 2015

I wore a beautiful pinstripe peak lapel suit to court once. The judge asked me about the suit choice and ruled against me... he was also one of my friends outside of the court system. I wouldn't do it unless I had a position of power. Senior partners hardly ever go to court where I'm at. Most get to sit in offices while the new blood claws it out. Wear what you want but know that you're the one being judged not your client.

PaintSplattered · Dec 4, 2015

I voice my opinion as someone who, a couple weeks ago, was picked for jury duty. I do not recommend peak lapels. I think they could possibly be distracting and that is enough to leave them for another time. If you are a lawyer, at least.

One of the lawyers bringing forth a lawsuit wore a club tie. That alone was a big distraction. I wasn't fixated on how I thought it was inappropriate, it simply kept grabbing my attention. His suit was actually a very nice blue color, but all that really sticks out in my memory is that club tie. It kept catching my eye. Not good. I wondered what it stood for or where he got it. My mind wandered....

The lawyer for the defendant, on the other hand, had no such distractions and held my attention much better even though he talked to us second.

I ended up getting dismissed but I think, if you are a lawyer, peak lapels are best left for another time.

Suntory · Dec 4, 2015

Seamless said:
I wore a beautiful pinstripe peak lapel suit to court once. The judge asked me about the suit choice and ruled against me... he was also one of my friends outside of the court system. I wouldn't do it unless I had a position of power. Senior partners hardly ever go to court where I'm at. Most get to sit in offices while the new blood claws it out. Wear what you want but know that you're the one being judged not your client.

PaintSplattered said:
I voice my opinion as someone who, a couple weeks ago, was picked for jury duty. I do not recommend peak lapels. I think they could possibly be distracting and that is enough to leave them for another time. If you are a lawyer, at least.

One of the lawyers bringing forth a lawsuit wore a club tie. That alone was a big distraction. I wasn't fixated on how I thought it was inappropriate, it simply kept grabbing my attention. His suit was actually a very nice blue color, but all that really sticks out in my memory is that club tie. It kept catching my eye. Not good. I wondered what it stood for or where he got it. My mind wandered....

The lawyer for the defendant, on the other hand, had no such distractions and held my attention much better even though he talked to us second.

I ended up getting dismissed but I think, if you are a lawyer, peak lapels are best left for another time.

Thanks lads!

When is wearing Peak lapels at work or Courts, acceptable?

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