5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Buying My First Barrister Robes

Congratulations! You’ve been called to the bar. It’s your big day, and you’re trying to figure out whether or not you should buy barrister robes.

The first thing you should ask yourself is: Are you even going to need robes?

1: Will You Actually Use Your Robes?

Are you just going to walk across the stage once and that’ll be the first and last time you wear your barrister robes? Or do you plan on pursuing a career in litigation where you’re going to need a battle-hardened set — maybe two or three — because you’re doing month-long jury trials?

I personally know lawyers who wore their robes once to get called to the bar and then had them sit around collecting dust because they went in-house.

So the first thing to decide is whether you’re even going to need robes.

Are you going to buy robes for your call to the bar?

Or maybe you’re just going to borrow them from a friend because you’re only going to wear them once and then become a solicitor?

2: Quality Matters

Another thing to decide is the quality of robes.

Do you need robes that’ll last you your entire career, or do you need robes that you’ll wear occasionally — when you’re called upon to argue the odd motion here and there, or step in for a colleague who needs you to do a court appearance?

How frequently are you going to use these robes?

If you’re going to need them and use them a lot, then you would be well served to buy a set of barrister attire that will stand the test of time.

What should you look for?

• You want to ensure that the liripipe is sewn on properly. The liripipe is the flap on the back of the gown.
• You also want to make sure it’s properly hemmed because after years of wearing them, the hems might unravel and you’ll have a very sloppy, unprofessional look.
• Think about the durability, the breathability, and the weight of the fabric.

Do you want something that’s warm, or do you want something that’s cooler?

Sometimes barristers will have two sets — one for the winter and one for the summer.

3: Fit Matters More Than You Think

The next thing is that fit matters more than you think.

How do you want them to fit?

• Do you want to be able to move around at counsel tables, or do you want something that hugs your physique and shows off the hours you’ve put in at the gym?
• Do you want something that shows a quarter cuff of your French cuff shirt underneath, or is that something you don’t really care about?
• Do you want something you can grow into, because you might be missing some gym time while putting in crazy hours crafting winning briefs?

You may also consider purchasing your robes with a little bit of space that can be taken out in the hems and back if you get bigger — for a host of reasons.

4: Accessories Matter

You want accessories.

You want tabs that fit well, hug your neck, and are easy to remove and easy to put on, so you can look professional, prepared, and distinct.

Sometimes small things make big differences.

One thing you may not have considered is tabs.

After a week of trial, your tabs will get pretty nasty — rubbing against your chin, looking dirty, and starting to yellow.

Always go to trial with multiple sets of tabs.

I remember one story where I didn’t have tabs, and I ended up borrowing a pair from the prosecutor.

Upon getting my acquittal in that trial, I thanked him by buying him some chocolate at a local store — true story!

5: Storage and Maintenance

The next thing is storage and maintenance.

You don’t want your gear wrinkled, crushed, and looking sloppy. It’s very important that you manage it properly and hold it properly.

• Roll your tabs and put them in your robe bag while transporting them.
• When you’re not traveling, hang your robes properly in your office or a closet.
• Ensure your shirts are crisp — preferably dry-cleaned or laundered — and ready to go for your next big day in court.

Buying robes isn’t just about looking the part.

It’s about showing respect for the office you occupy as a lawyer — and for the legal profession itself.

Take the time to get it right.

Congratulations again on your call to the bar, and good luck as you embark on a new profession.