By Traci Haynes, staff attorney, Gray

It’s hard to believe Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, is well behind us now.

Growing up, I loved spending time with my grandmother, Millie. She had opinions. She would always frown on saying “Happy Memorial Day,” as it was a day of mourning. Another tradition she instilled in me was not wearing white (anything other than shirts) before Memorial Day. Although Millie is no longer here to correct me, her custom remains with me over the years.

Trends come and go, but sometimes the old traditions are worth holding on to. Most of my friends work in healthcare and tell me they envy me for not having to wear scrubs every day. Truth is, plenty of days I’d love to roll out of bed and into scrubs instead of having the headache of looking for the perfect outfit. But I do see how carrying an extra set of clothes to change from scrubs for dinner after work would get tiresome, too.

Even though we all look forward to what we’re doing after work, we must be mindful of the workday hours. Warmer temperatures and the Tennessee humidity can make “suit life” brutal. But we can’t let the summer heat blur the lines between comfort and professionalism. Just like my scrub-wearing friends, we must dress the role.

Each Tennessee court has its own dress code. The workers’ comp Court’s relatively simple dress code is found in Rule 800-02-21-.12(6) of the Tennessee Compilation Rules and Regulations. We intentionally kept it short, thinking our clientele would use wise judgment. Most have, but some haven’t, unfortunately. The rule prohibits “hats, shorts and low-cut or open shirts or blouses, bare feet, or other inappropriate attire.”

Notice that last part; it gives a judge discretion to decide what’s “inappropriate.” We know it when we see it. And we have seen—on attorneys—mini-skirts, leggings and exposed midriffs on women, and men wearing blue jeans or lacking socks or ties. We’ve also noticed the “post-five o’clock look” on both men and women, where the jacket’s been shed and/or the tie is loosened.

I guess you could say that we’re old-fashioned. But remember, it’s Court—whether it’s a trial or a settlement approval, you need to look the part! It’s embarrassing to have to take someone aside and tell them to re-think their wardrobe choices. But we’ve done it.

I recently pulled the rules from Davidson County, and they’re much more extensive, just to give you an idea of what other courts require:

1. Skirts and skorts must reach and extend below the fingertips.
2. All pants must be worn at the waist. No sagging or low-riding.
3. Undershirts and tank tops, if worn, must be worn with another “cover-up” shirt. Shoulders, backs, chests and midriffs must be covered.
4. All shirts, with the exception of sweaters, sweatshirts or vests, must be tucked into pants or skirts, including athletic jerseys.

The following are prohibited:

• See-through type clothing and exposed undergarments.
• Shorts.
• Flip flops or house slippers.
• Inappropriate bandanas, scarves, sweatbands, hats/caps or hoodies.
• Sunglasses.
•  Clothing that advertises substances (drugs, alcohol, tobacco), or language or writing that is inappropriate or offensive.
•  Clothing torn in inappropriate places.
•  Chains or spiked accessories and oversized jewelry.

So whether you’re a party, witness, or an attorney in a workers’ compensation case, the key is to use common sense and be respectful to the Court and its purpose. If Grandmother Millie wouldn’t approve, then you probably should change.

But I won’t judge you if you wear white before Memorial Day.

The always impeccably dressed Traci Haynes.