When getting ready for court, it’s important that your court attire is always looking its best in order to convey the right sense of professionalism, respect and authority to help proceedings go smoothly and to highlight the power of the court.
To help you achieve greatness within your role as a judge or barrister, we’ve compiled some tips on caring for and maintaining your court gowns and wigs so that they remain in the best condition possible for a longer period of time.
Cleaning and Caring for Court Gowns and Robes
Properly cleaning and looking after your court gown is important for increasing its lifespan. Excessive heat and moisture can both damage the fabric so it’s important to use the correct cleaning methods to slow down the rate of wear and tear.
Dry Cleaning Court Robes
The most effective method of cleaning your court gown is to have it professionally dry cleaned as companies will understand how to treat delicate fabrics properly. You won’t need to dry clean the robe too often if you keep it well-maintained.
Dry cleaning will remove dirt and stains from your court robes without the use of moisture, protecting your attire from potential water damage. This is done through the use of a cleaning solvent instead of standard soap and water and the robe will then be air dried and pressed to remove wrinkles and creases in the fabric.
Hand Washing Court Gowns
Dry cleaning can be a costly endeavour however so you might prefer to wash your court robes at home with the cleaning materials you have on hand.
Hand washing your robes will be a much gentler process than machine washing but don’t wash your robe with large amounts of water. The best option would be to lightly spot clean the stained area of the robe with as little water as possible and then leave it to dry. Use soft nail brushes and damp cloths.
After cleaning, leave it to dry somewhere flat or hang it on a rail. This will stop creases from setting in and will prevent the fabric and stitching from being damaged by more rigorous drying methods such as wringing it out or tumble drying it.
Fixing Tears in the Fabric of Your Court Gowns
If you spot any tears in the stitching of your fabric, it’s best to sew up the tear as soon as possible to avoid the risk of it becoming larger in the future.
Inspect your gown for small tears and rips after washing and after returning from court. On small tears, you can also opt to simply use fabric glue. If the edges of the tear are neat, the glue will seal the two sides together seamlessly. Just spread the glue evenly for a smooth finish and hold the edges together firmly.
Storing Your Court Robes Safely
After cleaning and drying your court robes, make sure you store them in a cool and sheltered space which can also help to avoid damage from moisture, reinforcing the care that needs to be taken in the cleaning process.
For days in court, you can transport your court gown in a garment bag. This will help to keep your robes straight and neat while also protecting them from the elements.
Storing your robe in a cool dry place and transporting it safely will help to ensure that the rich black colour of your robes doesn’t fade too quickly. It can also create the perfect conditions to prevent bugs from damaging the fabric and eating holes in your gowns.
Cleaning and Caring for Court Wigs
While wigs in modern courts are generally optional, they are still an important part of upholding the traditions of court, giving authority to judges and barristers to make their presence and judgments more imposing, while also garnering respect for their profession.
Keeping wigs clean and well-maintained will make sure that you make a lasting impression and will help you to support and enforce the formal atmosphere of court, no matter what case you’re presiding over.
Caring for Horsehair Court Wigs
The classic horse hair material is the longest standing staple in court wig history. You’re not going to need too rigorous a cleaning process as the fine hair needs to be delicately handled.
Simply sponge or dab at the dirty area with a cloth that’s been dampened with warm water. Like with cleaning court robes, it’s important to avoid using too much heat and water in the cleaning process as this can damage the fibres.
Be careful not to scrub at the horsehair wig during cleaning as this may disturb the placement of the hairs and misshape the wig, altering its appearance negatively.
Caring for Vegan Court Wigs
Like with horsehair wigs, avoid using overly hot water as this can damage the fibres, whether you’re using synthetic material or plant-based fibres. There are heat-resistant synthetic fibres so check what kind of synthetic barrister wig you own before you commence the washing process.
Make sure to stock up on wig care products if you’re going to be treating your synthetic wig yourself so that you can ensure your wig remains soft, smooth and natural, helping you to keep all the hairs in place and prevent knots and matting.
These products can include:
- A wig brush
- Wig shampoo
- Wig conditioner
- Dry shampoo
- Fibre oil conditioner
Storing Judge and Barrister Wigs Safely
You can help your court wig to keep its shape by storing it on a wig stand. Keeping the wig in its original box can crease the fibres, especially if you own a full-bottomed wig, with the longer style needing more room to hang.
You can also use wig stands as a place to dry your wig after washing it so that the fibres can dry naturally without the hairs getting disturbed by scrubbing, towelling or other drying methods.
For short term wig storage, you can keep the box on hand to transport it to and from court. The wig won’t be in the box long enough for the hairs to get misshapen. Alternatively, you can use a breathable bag that allows for air circulation and reduces the risk of dirt and dust from settling in the hairs and affecting the appearance of your wig.
Cleaning and Caring for Other Court Accessories
Your court attire isn’t just made up of the quintessential court gown and wig. There are also a range of other accessories to take care of to make sure they are in the best condition possible.
This will help to create a cohesive overall appearance that proves that you’ve paid careful attention to detail, creating a professional aesthetic that will greatly benefit you during trials and hearings.
This will include cleaning accessories such as:
- Court tunic shirts
- Barrister trousers
- Collars and collarettes
- Barrister bands
- Cufflinks
Make sure other items of your court attire are pressed and starched, keeping whites free of unsightly stains and making sure collars and bands remain stiff and sharp. Shirts and trousers can be washed in a machine. Just remember to iron before your appearance in court to remove creases and complete your professional ensemble.
Don’t forget to polish and shine your cufflinks to remove any dirt and tarnish that may have gathered on them. You can fill a bowl with warm soapy water and soak your cufflinks for a few minutes. Upon removing them, use a toothbrush or soft nail brush to remove dirt without scratching the finish before rinsing and drying.
Every item of clothing in your court attire is just as important as the next. Keep each item clean and attend court with pride and confidence in your appearance and make a strong impression on the jury, your client and other attendees who expect only the best of the best in court.
You can browse our Tailor de Jure collection to see our range of court attire and accessories such as wig stands. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to get some more advice on how to best look after your court attire.
