Gwyneth Paltrow, the 50-year-old Oscar winner, dressed to impress throughout her eight-day testimony in the Park City, Utah, ski crash trial stemming from an alleged collision in 2016. The actress and entrepreneur showcased a subtle, yet sophisticated sense of style in the courtroom, pairing major designer labels with her own G. Label by Goop brand threads, some of which sold out in minutes online upon being featured in court.
According to Cynthia Augello, partner at Warren Law Group, “every aspect of her behavior, attire, and statements will be scrutinized,” so it comes as no surprise that Paltrow went for an understated presence to impress the jury. “A litigant’s choice of clothing in court can unconsciously convey significant information about them, whether it is accurate or not,” Augello said.
Paltrow’s overall demeanor and unique aura left an indelible impression on both the judge and the jury, and while her appearance should not influence the outcome of the case, it undoubtedly plays a role in shaping perceptions.
Paltrow earned a legal victory when an eight-person jury found she was not liable for a ski crash collision involving Terry Sanderson at the Deer Valley Resort. She countersued and was awarded $1 in damages in addition to attorney fees.
Augello praised Paltrow’s wardrobe choices, saying they align with the expectations of the local community while maintaining an effortless appearance. Despite the underlying cost, each of her looks had a similar neutral palette.
On the first day of the trial, Paltrow wore a $1,200 pair of brown leather Celine boots, a green trench coat, and a cream-colored sweater from The Row, and aviator Ray-Ban sunglasses. On the second day, she walked into the courtroom wearing an ivory-colored cardigan from G. Label by Goop with a $25,000 gold Foundrae clip chain heart necklace.
For the third day, Paltrow wore a gray Brunello Cucinelli suit that she had previously worn while shopping with her daughter. On the fourth day, she testified in Prada wearing a long navy skirt and a black, long-sleeved polo with Chelsea boots that retail for $1,320.
She wore a $595 Goop black cardigan with a matching skirt on day five and repeated her Celine boots for day six, but opted for Proenza Schouler White Label leather culottes for a cool $900. Paltrow also paired the look with her own pink G. Label blouse.
On day seven, Paltrow went back to black and carried her trusty $250 notebook. On verdict day, she wore a Ralph Lauren top with a blue blazer from the designer label.
Attorney Andres Munoz, partner with Romano Law, noted that Paltrow “made a conscious effort to choose her attire” and that her choice of clothing and accessories may be to play to the local crowd or to underscore that she’s the “obviously famous defendant” who’s being subjected to a money grab by the plaintiff.
“But juries also have a keen ability to sniff out disingenuous behavior,” Munoz said. “So, the balance is to appeal to the jury by appearing more likable and relatable, while staying genuine.”
Criminal defense attorney Silva Megerditchian said that while jurors “see everything,” as long as the clothing is appropriate, it does not affect the verdict. “It is important to note when representing a celebrity, there is a difference between likability and credibility,” Megerditchian said.
“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 conclusion, Paltrow’s choice of clothing and accessories in court may have influenced the perception of the jury, but ultimately, the credibility and believability of the witness are the most important factors in a trial. It is up to the litigants to balance appearing more likable and relatable while staying genuine to win over the jury with a persuasive, credible story.
