Gwyneth Paltrow Dressed to Impress in Park City Ski Crash Trial
Gwyneth Paltrow, the 50-year-old Oscar-winning actor and founder of Goop, recently won a legal victory after an eight-day trial stemming from an alleged ski collision that occurred in 2016 at the Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah. Throughout the trial, Paltrow dressed in a sophisticated, yet understated style that many experts agree was a strategic choice to impress the jury.
“Every aspect of her behavior, attire and statements will be scrutinized,” says Cynthia Augello, partner at Warren Law Group. “A litigant’s choice of clothing in court can unconsciously convey significant information about them, whether it is accurate or not. Ms. Paltrow’s overall demeanor and unique aura leave an indelible impression on both the judge and the jury, and while her visage should not influence the outcome of the case, it undoubtedly plays a role in shaping perceptions.”
Paltrow’s attire during the trial consisted of major designer labels paired with her own G. Label by Goop brand threads. Some of her outfits sold out online within minutes of being featured in court. Despite the underlying cost of her wardrobe, each of her looks sported a similar neutral palette.
“Gwyneth Paltrow has chosen an appropriate wardrobe for her trial, opting for attire that aligns with the expectations of the local community, while maintaining an effortless appearance,” says Augello. “Despite the likelihood of her clothing being costly, it is a widely accepted notion that her wardrobe would be expensive.”
On the first day of trial, Paltrow wore a $1,200 pair of brown leather Celine boots, a green trench coat, and a cream-colored sweater from The Row, along with aviator Ray-Ban sunglasses. She repeated her Celine boots on day six, but opted for Proenza Schouler White Label leather culottes for a cool $900.
On the second day of proceedings, she wore an ivory-colored cardigan from G. Label by Goop with a $25,000 gold Foundrae clip chain heart necklace. She also carried a vintage brown leather Celine purse.
She wore a gray Brunello Cucinelli suit on the third day and testified in Prada on the fourth. Paltrow repeated her Prada boots on day five, and on day seven, she went back to black and carried her trusty $250 notebook.
Gwyneth testified that day that she lost “half a day of skiing” and was not friends with Taylor Swift despite knowing the symbolic meaning behind her own $1 countersuit. The “Blank Space” singer won a sexual assault trial in 2017 against a former radio DJ who initially sued Swift after he claimed he was wrongfully terminated from his job after an incident at a meet-and-greet with Swift in 2013. She claimed he grabbed her inappropriately and counter-sued for battery and sexual assault, seeking $1 in damages.
While Paltrow’s choice of clothing and accessories may have been made to play to the local crowd or to underscore that she’s the ‘obviously famous defendant’ that is being subjected to a money grab by the plaintiff, attorney Andres Munoz, partner with Romano Law, warns that juries have a keen ability to sniff out disingenuous behavior. So, the balance is to appeal to the jury by appearing more likable and relatable, while staying genuine.
“A party’s main goal at any trial is to win over the jury with a more persuasive, credible story,” says Munoz. “That can be done explicitly with testimony and evidence, and implicitly with unspoken actions to be more likable and appear credible. Paltrow’s appearance during this trial is an unspoken tool of persuasion that absolutely falls within that latter category.”
Criminal defense attorney Silva Megerditchian adds that while jurors “see everything,” as long as the clothing is appropriate, it truly does not affect the verdict.
“It is important to note when representing a celebrity, there is a difference between likability and credibility,” says Megerditchian. “As we saw in the Johnny Depp trial, Mr. Depp came off extremely likable and relatable. Ms. Paltrow may not come off relatable or even likable, but most legal analysts would say her testimony was credible, and in a trial, nothing is more important than the credibility and believability of the witness, regardless of what they are wearing or how expensive their jewelry is.”
In the end, Paltrow was not liable for the ski crash collision involving Terry Sanderson and was awarded $1 in damages, in addition to attorney fees.
Overall, Paltrow’s choice of attire for the trial shows how wardrobe can be used as an unspoken tool of persuasion in court, but ultimately, credibility and believability of the witness, regardless of wardrobe, is the most important aspect of any legal proceeding.
