Ah, the ascot. That informal yet formal piece of cloth that our founding fathers considered essential to their attire and Thurston Howell considered essential to surviving his three hour tour. We don’t see ascots that much anymore, nor their closely related cousin, the cravat.
Many of you are probably saying to yourselves right now, “What on Earth is Hamilton talking about?” That’s a fair question, since I would assume that many, if not most of you don’t wear ascots or even know people who wear them. That’s why I think this story is so interesting.
Apparently, an ADA in Wisconsin appeared before a court wearing not a tie, but an ascot, in clear violation of the local rules (see, they DO exist!). The judge threatened the ADA with contempt of court, but the ADA would not back down. When he appeared in court later that week, he again wore an ascot in front of the same judge! (link)
Sosnay’s review found Zier’s red ascot - which matched the handkerchief in the breast pocket of Zier’s pinstriped gray suit - “borders on contemptuous,” given the judge’s prior warnings that he only cottons to neck- and bow-ties.
“This is not about the definition of an ascot or a necktie,” Sosnay said in court, addressing a reporter in the gallery directly while a case waited to be heard. “This is an issue which I believe deals with the integrity of the court.”
In an age when less is more and informal is the new formal, just what are the “rules” to attire in the courtroom? Is a jacket required? A tie? None would doubt that the ascot would look formal if worn on the outside of a wing tip shirt, but the ADA was wearing it inside of his unbuttoned collar - more the mark of a casual Fred Astaire than a formal member of the bar.
As someone who prefers the strict formalities of the good ol’ days in attire to the presumed laxness of today, I side with the judge in this case, local rules aside. There is something inherently proper about appearing in a court of law in formal dress that makes this ADA’s actions seem so wrong. Am I wrong? Should we care less about what we wear to court and more about what we say in court?
Thanks to the WSJ Law blog for bringing this to my attention.
- Hamilton Fish
